ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS IN STOCK!

I see this post was edited by the moderators and the the link goes to a dead link at the shop prius chat area. What gives? I'm all for encouraging us to shot there to help both us and Danny out. But if they are out of stock, as they have been since the group buy was closed, why not point us to places that DO have them.

FYI, I ordered my EHB thru an on-line toyota parts sales website from the Cincinnati area. They were out of stock, but have since gotten some in. Should I post a link? or would it too get edited by the moderators?

 

Based upon the name of the salesman (Jesse) that the OP dealt with, he bought it from the same source which supply the PriusChat store.

 

When did you try the link? Just this morning PriusChat came back online after a complete software upgrade. As a result, there have been multiple reports of hyperlinks embedded in threads and at the PriusShop not working properly. If you have the correct and functioning link, please post it for us.

 

Sorry Priapus. Maybe I'm just too paranoid today. I got my EBH at this link. http://priuschat.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/93

When I first ordered it it was backordered and they changed their website to reflect that. Now it's on it's way to me, and I see they show it again available.

Please note: I'm not paranoid after all. The above link was modified by a moderator; and is different than where I ordered my EBH. I would expect at least some discussion with me before they'd do something like that. If they want to add their own link too that's great. But otherwise this does NOT seem right.

 

Does anyone have some quantitative data indicating that a block heater is cost effective? What sort of increase in mpg can one expect. I suppose this would be climate dependent, so anyone in the Milwaukee/Chicago area that some info I would sure appreciate it before I go through the hassle of installing a heater.

Thanks

 

Search for some of the longer posts about the block heaters, they do make sense unless your electric rates are very high. There are close to 100 people I know of in the Milwaukee/Chicago area with block heaters, everyone likes them. Your winter and summer MPG will be higher. And since your in the area you can get a free install of your engine block heater.

Wayne

 

EBH is ordered

I ordered the EBH and I'm looking forward to 50+ mpg during the cold months. If I run into problems with the install I'll try to contact you. Is it best to reach you here or through the Chicago Pius Group?

Thanks, Tim

 

Just a bit of paranoia before I buy, but the ad says "Toyota of Canada block heater". I assume this will work here in America? I'm sure the heater is the same, but I am a little ignorant of the plug end. It's not some strange 3 prong like you find in Europe, right?

 

EBH in Milwaukee area

I've had my EBH for almost a year - I do get significantly better mileage than a good friend with the same car, but without the EBH. I have an outdoor-rated timer mounted on my garage wall & use a contractor grade extension cord (I love the fact that it lights up when there is power to it!). My box also said Toyota of Canada on it, but everything works just fine. 3-prong plug from the EBH goes right into my extension cord.

I am a little conservative, though, and I only plug my car in when it will be below 50 degrees at night. I also have the upper grill blocked with foam insulation from approx. October to the end of April. That grill-blocking alone helps a lot. My son tried it on his Civic Hybrid & experienced a 10% mpg increase.

 

without block heater



With the return of cold weather, I've been able to test and plot this two-mode, mileage test at different speeds on my morning commute route:

• warmup: MPG and distance to 70C coolant (North American NHW11)
• cruise: MPG and distance to destination, total 10 miles

I've gotten enough samples to show the impact of cold weather on my radiator block, equipped, 2003 Prius:


I've now started a series with the block heater and later, I'll run a series without the radiator block. This should give us quantitative data to understand:

1. block heater effects
2. radiator block effects
3. other techniques, including handling

BTW, I a great fan of having more folks test various combinations and expand our knowledge base. Living in North Alabama, we don't get a lot of extended, sub-freezing weather and data in this range would be terribly useful.

The data can be collected using the MFD, trip meter and a coolant temperature gauge. I don't know the transition temperature for the NHW20 between warmup and hybrid mode but suspect it may be as low as 60C / 140F based upon this being the lower threshold on the NHW11 during cool down. Ken@Japan may have a better number.

Bob Wilson

 

Hi Tim,

I highly recommend letting Wayne do your install. I'm mean, after all, whats a Prius without some FireEngineer DNA on it??