How does a block heater work?
 

As title...
what exactly do I need to run it?

A block heater is an electrical heater element (120VAC) that heats the water in the engine while it's off. Typically they are mounted within the freeze plugs of the block. They have a pigtail attached to which you can plug in an extension cord.

Do you need to plug it to the wall or any external power source?
So it can't be used if I'm parking in outdoor lot?

Yes, it needs to be plugged into a wall outlet. Unless there is one within reach of an extension cord, a heater won't do you much good. Note, however, many places have external wall outlets.

In geographical locations where you need a block heater, you will often find outlets in parking lots. I grew up in Northern Ontario where all the parking spots on the street had a post with a power outlet instead of a parking meter. Otherwise, in 50 below weather your oil would congeal while you were at work.

When we moved to South Carolina the car still had the pigtail sticking out of the grill. Gas station attendants would try to untie it in order to lift the hood to check the oil,

The outlets on the main street were paid by the town and outlets on employee parking lots were paid by the employer. We didn't have any homeless people living there. Fifty or sixty below zero keeps anyone from living on the street. If you fall asleep outside, you freeze to death. It makes you more careful when you walk home drunk.

:)
 

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :D

You can buy a battery warmer that does just what you describe. How effective they are, I don't know.

As for the homeless in Canada thing, c'mon, everybody knows Canada doesn't have any homeless. Next thing you'll be trying to say they have litter or graffiti. Sheesh. :)

My friend used a battery warmer for his mid-80's Chvey Blazer...he said it worked great.

That said, I don't know anybody else that's had to use one and other than plugging in the block heater, they've had to do nothing else to get going in the winter.

BTW, if you do use a block heater, be sure to get an outdoor timer as well. You don't have to waste $$ on energy using the block heater all night. A few hours before you start off in the morning is all that's needed.

My friend from Ontario was down in Florida many years ago and he had his block heater cord sticking out and when he went to the gas station the guy there asked him if this was one of those electric cars. It was a Buick Century so he said yes :laugh: :laugh:

Make sure you get an outdoor extension cord or one made for block heaters. They even make some that have an LED in the plug end so you can see if there is power going to the block heater. Canadian Tire sells these pretty cheap.

As Mike said, a timer is great since you really only need a couple of hours to heat it up. No sense burning your power bill for nothing. I bought an outdoor timer and works like a charm.

LOL! What an idiot! Not only did he think the plug was there to charge the "electric" car, he also put gas in it! :laugh:

SirTidus I got a block heater installed when I bought my car and the cord comes out behind the front license plate and you can't even see it. You just pull it out plug it in and stuff it back when your done. It has a cap to keep the prongs covered from slop and slush. Batteries warmers are crap! If you ever start using one your battery will become dependant on it (I know from experience) the block heater is kind of the same. Unless it is really cold out -25 C I probably wouldn't use it.

Finprof ever been to Chapleau?

[QUOTE
Finprof ever been to Chapleau? [/B][/QUOTE]

Not that I remember. My fourth grade teacher was from Chapleau, but I don't ever remember going there. I was born in Terrace Bay. If we went south to Toronto, we usually went through the Soo and highway 17. If I remember correctly, to get to Chapleau you have to get off 17 at Wawa.

YOu might be able to find one at a auto wrecker. If you go thru Mazda I think they charge you around $40 for it. You could probably pick it up from a wrecker for $4-5.
They are easy to install. I had to replace mine on a couple of other cars I had due to driving away with it still plugged in(oops).