Battery Tender for winter heat? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #16 10-22-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... a block heater will heat the block/cylinder head... MUCH faster than the coolant heater system. also, it'll work with less wattage.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned oil viscosity and the use of syntheytic oil in winter. I did notice a real difference

torsionbar · #17 10-22-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... a block heater will heat the block/cylinder head... MUCH faster than the coolant heater system. also, it'll work with less wattage.

that's true, if speedy heating is needed, block heater is the way to go. with coolant heater, it's good to put it on an auto-start timer, so it kicks on in the morning about 3 hours before you leave for work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

I am surprised that no one has mentioned oil viscosity and the use of syntheytic oil in winter. I did notice a real difference

good point, 5w-40 synthetic is easier to pump since its less viscous when cold. that's why 5w-40 gives much better cold start wear protection than 15w-40.

JHZR2 · #18 10-22-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torsionbar

.

good point, 5w-40 synthetic is easier to pump since its less viscous when cold. that's why 5w-40 gives much better cold start wear protection than 15w-40.

Those two facts are the same. Faster pumpability means better cold start protection.

And it is an extremely important criteria for getting fast starts.

Dave Donaldson · #19 10-22-2012, 07:26 PM

Cheers from Ontario Canada,,, get a good 20 amp extension cord and a 5 amp battery charger,, place the charger under the hood where it will not get wet or too hot ,, plug in the block heater and charger into the extension cord, and run the other end just up to the drivers side to the front window,, note the cord fits nicely along the left inner fender flange,,
I plug mine in before I go to bed and have a timer on the outside outlet,, so about 2 hours before I get up the charger and block heater have been running for 2 to 3 hours. The plug by the drivers side front window reminds my wife to unplug the car before SHE DRIVES AWAY :} and yes she hates driving MY car :},,,,,, Yes I do not drive Gerti when they salt the roads here but it can get to - 10 C here at night ,,a 1000 cold cranky amp battery helps too. ps I bunji cord the extension cord so it does not beat the window to death at 60 mph. 2 years now and now regrets plus a fast warm up too !!!!!!

whunter · #20 10-22-2012, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagesinthewind

Last winter there were several times when I went out in the AM and the air was so cold it kept the battery from starting the car.
I was worried about that for this year as I just hear Colorado might have a hard winter. I was wondering if using a battery tender to trickle charge would also keep the battery warm for really cold days?

Thanks

Study this
Cold weather starting links

.

.