Engine block or oil pan heater?

[DieselDennis]

Why can't you run both?  Running off a generator without enough capacity?

I'm wondering the same thing. 

Typical block heater is 1000W, or 8 - 9 amps. 

Only have one 15A circuit available?  Can't get another circuit?  Available circuit not 20A capable? 

Did you try to use both simultaneously?  What happened when you did? 


If I was worried that much about it, I'd plug the block heater in.  Then I'd find a way to get the oil heated.  Either by getting more juice from somewhere or buying a smaller oil pan heater blanket. 

This would be after I put a very thin appropriate temp engine oil in the crankcase.

[fixtureman]

The block heater should keep the oil warm

[Turner52]

Frost plug heater for years on a tractor close to your size. Always worked great for me.

[JGrout]

The block heater should keep the oil warm

yep It is not like you are dealing with extremely cold temperatures 

Well maybe for you they are extreme 

temps in CO last week were however 

[jamesglenn]

[quote pid='7415003' dateline='1484067229']
JGrout
[/quote]
[quote pid='7415256' dateline='1484099911']

yep It is not like you are dealing with extremely cold temperatures 

Well maybe for you they are extreme 

temps in CO last week were however 


[/quote]

At those temps, I would be more concerned with having enough additive or kerosene in the fuel to prevent it from gelling up. My next concern would be the manure freezing inside the spreader before I could get it out.

We hit -20 for a few days here usually at some point, and those are rough.

[Bill Bob]

At those temperatures I will sit by the wood stove with a good book and some adult beverage.  Another day closer to spring!
Bill

[JGrout]

[quote pid='7415003' dateline='1484067229']
JGrout

[quote pid='7415256' dateline='1484099911']

yep It is not like you are dealing with extremely cold temperatures 

Well maybe for you they are extreme 

temps in CO last week were however 


[/quote]

At those temps, I would be more concerned with having enough additive or kerosene in the fuel to prevent it from gelling up. My next concern would be the manure freezing inside the spreader before I could get it out.

We hit -20 for a few days here usually at some point, and those are rough.
[/quote]

Winter fuel mixes here are the norm When I was equipment operating  we used #1 diesel from Oct -May

[JGrout]

At those temperatures I will sit by the wood stove with a good book and some adult beverage.  Another day closer to spring!
Bill

someone had to make sure the supply the gas oil and coal that kept you snug in your home next to the fire


Joe

[A Squared]

I'm wondering the same thing. 

Typical block heater is 1000W, or 8 - 9 amps. 

Only have one 15A circuit available? 

Depends on the heater and application, I guess. The Frost plug heater on my 4 cyl pickup is only 200 watts IIRC. But like you my prefrence would be to heat both the block and the oil pan.