The Prius doesn't heat up fast enough, time for an engine block heater!

Wayne, what is it like installing the heater on the Gen 3? I did my '07 with no problem, but curious if the task is easier or much different on the new Prius.

Anybody with some pictures or experience installing the EBH yet?

Lee

 

Is the fuel loss that much greater than the power of a block heater all evening?

 

Don't run the block heater all evening. Set it on a timer to start warming two or three hours before you intend to drive it.

 

Engine block heaters have a thermostat in them to keep the block warmed to 45deg F so on a 65deg day its not going to do anything. It should really help on those days of 32deg or less

 

Not the Prius EBH. Most of us who have it use it year round to improve fuel economy. I can expect a block temperature of 140F starting out on a summer morning after 3 hours pre-heating.

And with all respect, since you're new in these parts, Wayne is regarded by many as the PriusChat authority on Prius block heaters.

 

I didn't realize the Prius heater was different in that respect. I lived in Alaska for many years and never saw a block heater W/O a thermostat.
I found the specs and saw my mistake. It regulates at 45deg C (~113def F) not 45 deg F.

 

Hi Wayne,

Are you using any grill blocking on the new Prius ?

 

So much for the exhaust heat going back to the block to heat it faster. Sounds like we need the coolant thermos and the exhaust recirc AND active coolant temp based grill blocking. It really makes no sense that people have to burn electricity to heat the block so they can burn less gasoline simply because there is 'cold' air passing by the engine, especially in the summer.

63F air blowing through the engine compartment at speed is NOT helpful in getting/keeping the block at temp. Makes one wonder if the Toyota design guys live in Death Valley. Solar cooling yes, grill blocking no.

Are you listening Toyota? ACTIVE COOLANT TEMP BASED GRILL BLOCKING. If you can't manage that, how about a PHEV Prius with 40 miles EV at 65 MPH so we can keep the ICE off in the first place.

 

So Wayne, tell us about the install of the EBH! Or am I missing a thread?

Lee

 

I just got home from the rest of that whole roadtrip, pix soon..
.
_H*

 

I bought a 2010 Prius 2 weeks ago, did the grill blocking, and have ordered a block heater. Since I'm in the energy efficiency biz, I decided to do some calculations on the tradeoffs between gasoline savings and electrical consumption.

First, a carbon dioxide (CO2) comparison: For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed, approximately 2 lbs. of CO2 is emitted. (specific to Madison, WI, but most of the upper midwest has a similar emission rate, being roughly 2/3 coal-fired). Every gallon of gasoline consumed emits about 20 lbs. of CO2. Thus, I'd have to save about .1 gallons of gasoline for every kWh used to break even (on CO2) by using a block heater.

The Toyota block heater is rated at 400 watts. I assume the heater will run continuously if I put it on a timer to start heating 3 hours before I leave for work. 400 watts x 3hours = 1.2kWh. I'll verify the kWh consumption w/ a portable watthour meter once the block heater is installed.

Second, an economic comparison: 1.2 kWh costs about 14 cents at the local rate of 12 cents per kWh. Gasoline is about $2.65/gal. on 29Dec09. I'd have to save a little over .05 gallons of gasoline to break even at today's gasoline prices.

Since my daily commute is less than 3 miles each way, From Wayne's data (see below - thanks, Wayne!) it looks like the block heater may not be a winner for reducing emissions *or* saving money commuting. However, I'm going to do it anyway in the hope that for slightly longer trips the gasoline savings will be larger.

Jon
(who buys 100% green power, but that's a separate discussion)

 

Wayne, I finished the installation per your instructions/pictures and it worked out fine, thanks.

I would like to use the block heater without having to open and close the hood every time. Have you tried a solution like installing an external plug mounted underneath the bumper or in the fog light panel? For a simple fix, I could extend the existing plug out the lower grill or one of the lower shroud openings too.