:EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_heater :EDIT:

Hello Everyone
Here are some ideas:
http://www.servicemate.com/catalog/categories.aspx?ParentID=160
Here is the url without the www section:
servicemate.com/nonflash_files/links/engine_block_heater.html

Engine Block Heater

Circulation Heaters

Industrial Tank Heater

Hilton Industries Cordless Engine Heater
Propane Fired
Eliminated Costly Idling

Lower Radiator Hose Heaters
Installs in minutes in non-corrogated lower radiator hose.

Diesel Fuel Heaters

:EDIT:
Basic cheap, off the shelf options.

engine dipstick heater
https://www.google.com/search?q=engine+dipstick+heater&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=MPmXUNOvN6mJywHMooCgBg&biw=1280&bih=883&sei=MvmXUPPUFOaMyAGAlIHgCw

magnetic block heater
https://www.google.com/search?q=magnetic+block+heater&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a

engine block pad heater
https://www.google.com/search?q=engine+block+pad+heater&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=r_iXUIioJOOeywGGn4GwCA&biw=1280&bih=883&sei=sviXUOr5OKr7ygGG8oC4DA

engine block coolant heater
https://www.google.com/search?q=engine+block+coolant+heater&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=9viXUIX-PIeeywHUlICYBQ&biw=1280&bih=883&sei=-viXULj2B8uFyQHtpYGQDA

https://www.google.com/search?q=engine+block+heater&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=V_iXUIWqDsqayQGq5IDwBw&biw=1280&bih=883&sei=WviXULSAB6SayQHTkIDQBw

:EDIT:

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1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

http://www.espar.com/

I'd worry about the electrical consumption on a car with only one battery though.

btw, your link doesn't work

the link should work now.

btw a second battery is easy to install on a diesel.

Hello Everyone.
This looks interesting, think I will look into it.
Hilton Industries Cordless Engine Heater
Propane Fired
$600.00 USD

The heater uses 5.4 ounces of propane per hour.
A 20# cylinder of propane will last approximately 60 hours.

I think the Espar makes more sense. It runs on diesel. No extra tank, fuel system, etc. Should be able to just plumb into the fuel feed to the engine. They are programmable so they can be set to warm up an hour or so before you intend to use the vehicle. I would think that the battery could survive the 1.1amp draw during this time? Even on low the Espar should get the motor pretty warm in an hour. RT

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84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I am looking at the Espar now; it does make more sense.

Just think how fast you'd get warm air in the cabin too!

I like it. I'll have to look into it on the 300SDL rebuild.

Roy,

You getting one for yours?

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'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Hello Mike
"YES"!
May get it before our coffee conference.
You know how I have been enjoying the last weeks weather.
Have a great day.

under the hood work wonders...replace as necessary. You can substitute cats on an 8-1 ratio if dogs not available...in fact, I'd prefer it if you did.

Remove before cranking starter.

We went through a number of cats on the farm from just that. They would crawl into the engine compartment to get warm and then we'd start the car/truck up later and find a suprise!

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Hello Everyone
I just got the Espar price $995.00 USD.

Have a great day.

Webasto was the cat's meow for my last truck. They make a smaller version for cars - seems to be popular in northern Europe. The propane jobs were popular around here for the pickups - died out because of the maintenance headaches and the synthetic oils. Could always go back to the future - a pan of charcoal works wonders in an emergency.

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What about these electric coolant heater/circulators? They are made by Zerostart, and seem like a very cheap alternative (plus, since they heat the coolant, you would have heat immediately in the car!). Just like the Webasto, but electric instead of diesel fired.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-2473/c-10101

For 36$ for the 1000watt unit and 11$ for a 'mercedes adapter' it is still cheaper than a regular block heater, and could potentially be more effective... Might also be handy for WVO folks who use coolant to heat the fuel, since this heater would heat that fuel up too. It would be nice to just fire the engine up and switch to WVO immediately..

Thoughts?

peace,
sam

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1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

I paid $10.49 + shipping on my block heater and it was a new one....on ebay, but good luck finding another at that price.

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1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I have a the Zerostart on the Jetta and it really works great, instant heat at startup in zero weather.

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