Has anybody installed a Zerostart lower radiator hose type engine heater? It fits inside the hose, puts out 375 watts and can be left on all night. 10 amps with3-prong ground 120 Vac cord. I allready have the Toyota block heater; but during our last ice storm , It did not get hot enough. I'm thinking that the " material " between the block and the heater leaked out in our hot summers?
The block heater is only 400 Watts and will keep the engine block and some of the coolant above zero, and will speed warm-up of the engine, but there is just too much thermal mass for that tiny heater to do much.. Plus they way it is installed on the block, it puts out a large amount of heat in a very localized area and there is only limited convection to distribute the heat.. I currently do NOT have a block heater in my Prius, but I have a garage overnight and I do a full block of the intakes and also have an additional insulating blanket over the engine side (inverter left uncovered) and even in the -20c temp we have had in Canada a couple of weeks ago, the engine was only at -3C after 8hrs parked outside at work and the exhaust heat recovery system warmed the coolant up to the 40c needed for the engine to start basic hybrid operations in under 2 minutes, and I had cabin heat in under a minute in ECO mode (instantly with the PTC heaters if you turn off ECO, but that really does a number on your MPGs).. So I don't believe that a block heater is really needed for most conditions.. Intake blocking is much more effective as without the outside air constantly blowing over the engine, it is capable of reaching normal operating temperatures and I have fill stealth mode even when the outside temp is -20c.. Except for short drives, with the intake block and extra engine insulation, my winter mileage is not significantly different than warm weather mileage.. If you are going to use an external heater though, based on my experience on a diesel farm tractor with an frost plug heater vs a pump type heater, the circulating pump heaters will likely do a better job of keeping the coolant at a warmer temperature..
I installed the 1 1/4 " hose heater while I changed my ice coolant today. I only had to drop the bottom hose from the bottom because that was the only way to get to the clamp ( turned down). The hose heater was done from the top; pretty easily done!! About one hour job, all together. Instructions said hose heater is designed for all-night operation; however, 2 to 5 hours is sufficient for proper engine starting. Testing: outside temp --- 47 F; ice temp --- 48 F - Turned heater on one hour later " --- 44 F ; ice temp --- 58 F Hour # 2 " --- 42 F; ice temp --- 67 F Hour # 3 " --- 39 F ; ice temp --- 69 F Hour #4 " --- 38 F ; ice temp --- 71 F It looks like it cycles at about 70 F+ ...... Note: Hood was open at all times; hose heater puts out enough heat, that I could feel the heat from the top,without touching. Also; when I pressed the cordset connector onto the heater casting, I used a large tie to secure it tightly; and used ties for 1/2 of the 4' electric cord. The Zerostart Lower Radiator Hose is made in Canada. I paid $ 29.95 x 2 = 59.90 + $14.55 S&H = $ 74.45 total. I own two Prius; LOVE both of them!!
In winter, in freezing temps; the lower radiator hose HEATER along with the ICE block HEATER together, with grill blocking warmed up my Prius up well into stage 3. I only drive about 1/2 a mile, and I'm 195 F For the price, it is worth it!! It WORKS!!
I'm in Texas; and in the winter we had a very bad ICE storm, with temps in the teens. No electricity ; it was cold!!
Thanks!! I'll fix it. No negative temps; just a --- mark. The 1 1/4" lower radiator hose heater can be found at these sites: Zerostart Lower Radiator Hose Heater 3200002: Advance Auto Parts Lower Coolant Radiator Hose Engine Block Heater 1 1 4" Zerostart Brand 375W 110V | eBay
