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Engine Block Heater Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Prudence, Apr 12, 2007.

  1. Prudence

    Prudence New Member

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    Seriously, has anyone ever forgot to unplug before driving away? I just got the part this week in the mail and plan on putting it in this weekend. I was just going over the logistics of the outlet and plugging it in, when the unplugging thought occurred to me. I don't anticipate doing that, but I am not always fully awake when leaving for work in the dark. Has this happened to anyone?
     
    #1 Prudence, Apr 12, 2007
  2. kiwiruss

    kiwiruss New Member

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    Has one in my 1997 Subaru Here in Michignan and never used it.
     
    #2 kiwiruss, Apr 12, 2007
  3. Parson

    Parson New Member

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    Actually, I had a block heater on another car ... when I backed out without unplugging ... it unplugged by itself. Not a recommended way of doing it, but it worked out just fine when I did it once.
     
    #3 Parson, Apr 12, 2007
  4. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    I haven't done it, but like you, I could see myself doing it leaving the house early in the morning without my coffee.

    I have driven ambulances that plug in, not for warming the block but as a power supply for lights and devices that need power when the engine's off. After seeing colleagues rip the cord out of the side of the ambulance, the outlet in the vehicle bay, or both, many of us got in the habit of draping the cord over the rear view mirror of the driver's door as a visual reminder to unplug it. I've been doing the same with the Prius.
     
    #4 JimboK, Apr 12, 2007
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    several times. I managed to damage the cord to the point it was shorting out and not allowing the heater to work so I had to do a little surgery and replace the damaged end.

    Most of the time it just unplugs from the wall with no consequenses.

    Most recently I've attached the cord to a plastic reel that slides noisily on thhe garage floor when I start backing out and makes me aware that I forgot to unplug.
     
    #5 efusco, Apr 12, 2007
  6. Prudence

    Prudence New Member

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    That's a great idea. How much do the mirrors on the driver's door cost? :D

    A noisemaker's a good idea, I'm not sure the neighbors would appreciate it at 5:30am. :)

    Thanks for the ideas, I know I'll need to do something as a reminder. I'm a quick learner and doing it once would cure me, but I really would like not to do it at all. I'm liking the cord over the mirror, I would have to trip over that to get in the car.
     
    #6 Prudence, Apr 12, 2007
  7. Tom_06

    Tom_06 Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prudence @ Apr 12 2007, 05:44 PM) [snapback]422200[/snapback]</div>
    I plug mine in with the car in the garage. I have a 1ft. square piece of cardboard that has "UNPLUG THE BLOCK HEATER" written on it with a felt tip marker. I toss that on the windshield right on top of the driver's windshield wiper just before I plug in the heater. So far it has worked through two winters.

    - Tom
     
    #7 Tom_06, Apr 12, 2007
  8. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    :lol: :lol: How funny!! my wife asked me this morning if I'd ever done that!! Actually my block heater is out of action right now..... Not because its defective, or because of any install issues... I must admit that I have canine issues. Our new puppy has chewed through the drop cord in two different places twice. most recently while my wife and i were sitting on the floor in the hallway rewiring the cord, she took off with the outdoor timer and chewed through the cord on that. We got em all rewired and the next night she chewed the extension cord yet again.

    So, I've been without EBH for two days now and its supposed to snow again this weekend.... ooooooo, that puppy.... !! but what's a dog lover to do??? I have some bitter apple spray, but she'd probably like that. :lol: :lol:
     
    #8 Rangerdavid, Apr 12, 2007
  9. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    The only times I forget any more are when I'm in a big hurry and distracted by kids, dog, whatever. I did forget in the beginning just b/c it wasn't, then, part of the routine.

    I installed an EBH on my wife's Highlander Hybrid. She never plugs it in, but likes it when I do. Our signal that it is plugged in is to put a colorful styrofoam tube from a broken water toy through the driver side door handle. AFAIK she's only once backed out w/o unplugging.
     
    #9 efusco, Apr 12, 2007
  10. joelparks

    joelparks New Member

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    <div align="left"> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Apr 12 2007, 03:36 PM) [snapback]422193[/snapback]</div>

    Yup After I drove off without unplugging, that's what I've been doing.

    Luckily because of the way I fed the plug out the front lower grille, and the fact that as I drove off the front tire ran over the extension cord thus unplugging cleanly, the only damage was a little road rash on the plug from dragging during my 5 mile ride before I got out a noticed it.
    </div>
     
    #10 joelparks, Apr 12, 2007
  11. priusFTW

    priusFTW Gen III JBL non Nav

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Apr 12 2007, 07:33 PM) [snapback]422241[/snapback]</div>
    That is what I do too.
     
    #11 priusFTW, Apr 13, 2007
  12. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prudence @ Apr 12 2007, 12:01 PM) [snapback]422134[/snapback]</div>
    I did forget once. I'd driven several miles and kept hearing this "flapping" noise. I got out and found the plug hanging down in front of the grill, where it could whack against the bumper. When I unplug it, I place it under the hood up near the front window. The plug prongs were bent slightly, but no damage other than that. Of course the extension cord had been almost pulled out of the garage.

    Dave M.
     
    #12 dmckinstry, Apr 14, 2007
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