I actually think that my new Kim Hotstart 2000 Volt Tank Heater - Diesel Forum

**midwestconnection** · 11-02-2009, 04:57 AM

I actually think that my new Kim Hotstart 2000 Watt Tank Heater is going to heat my batteries and my oil in my 1996 E350 Van.

The thermostat setting is 120 degrees to 140.

It lists for $497 and sells for $397

I got mine new on eBay for $158 Shipped. He only had the one.

The Ford expert in our area says his, in this F450 moves his gauge to half way to hot in just a couple of hours.

I'm thinking that the heat from the motor will warm everything to some extent, especially in a van.

I think I will feel and smell the heat when I walk up to it.

Toasty warm.

I'm still going to put a magnet heater on my oil pans.

This is worth it's weight in gold.

samduket · 11-02-2009, 06:18 PM

Where does that heater mount in your van? I looked at the Kim website, but I had a bit of trouble understanding where it might locate.

thanks

**midwestconnection** · 11-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Just below the radiator on the one I saw and mounted horizontally with it's brackets.

samduket · 11-04-2009, 07:01 AM

And it warms the coolant, or just generally under the hood?

**midwestconnection** · 11-06-2009, 08:10 AM

It majorly warms the coolant.

94_turbo · 11-06-2009, 07:54 PM

just dont look at your electric meter when that is on-----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**midwestconnection** · 11-08-2009, 07:45 AM

I'm thinking ten cents per hour which is a lot.

94strokerace · 11-08-2009, 09:46 AM

Is there something wrong with your stock block heater?

**midwestconnection** · 11-08-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94strokerace

Is there something wrong with your stock block heater?

No, it works perfect but in the "cold country" like -20 to -50 below it is way insufficient.

It only heats the one bank pretty good and the other OK, in normal conditions. In this cold weather it is not nearly enough.

My entire engine and engine compartment will be warm at -50 below.

The oil pump to the injectors is very important to get plenty of heat too as are both heads and the oil.

I'm putting synthetic 5 -40 oil in the motor and synthetic transmission fluid in the automatic transmission and synthetic rear end grease in the differential and then and putting a magnet heater on both the tranny and motor oil pans.

I'm trying to keep this thing alive while it sits outside in the cold.

I will also idle a lot with the RPM's raised several hundred RPM's with a prop between the gas peddle and seat to do this.

94strokerace · 11-09-2009, 07:21 PM

-20 to -50? I knew i lived in the south for a reason...i think that's it...

RatherBNtheWoods · 11-09-2009, 09:15 PM

A 2000V heater is something to brag about alright. Where did you find a 2000V outlet to power it?

**midwestconnection** · 11-09-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RatherBNtheWoods

A 2000V heater is something to brag about alright. Where did you find a 2000V outlet to power it?

Watts I guess that is, sorry about that.

**midwestconnection** · 11-10-2009, 09:13 PM

I'll know more in the morning but I think this is going to heat everything "except" the radiator. I was told to make sure to unplug it before I start it for that very reason.

That is a little secret everybody should know about there 7.3 block heater. Unplug it before you start the motor or the cold water hitting the element will eventually or even quickly ruin it.

I'm very concerned about the ice cold water hitting my engine and ruining it. A very real concern. -- Once and you got nothing.

Survival is this cold country is at play here.

94strokerace · 11-10-2009, 11:16 PM

I know that i am comparing apples to oranges here, but bare with me. Think of NASCAR for a second. When the cars are lined up in their starting position on pit road, just prior to the green rag, the teams circulate the oil through portable heaters and back into the engine. For different reasons of course. Key word..circulate. Maybe that method would apply in your case. Just a thought.

Have you thought of using your stock block heater in conjuction with your aftermarket heater?

RWF350 · 11-10-2009, 11:52 PM

Several years ago I worked for powerline construction equipment company. We had a tech that stayed on site for a large customer somewhere north where temps stay below 0. He had a setup on his service truck with heater hoses running to the service bed with heater cores he put in the tool compartments. He had block heaters and maybe hose? heaters hooked with some kind of low volumn pump that kept the coolant circulated through the whole heater system and service bed. Made his tools somewhat easier to handle (if only temporary till they were outside a few minutes) but also made his service manuals easier to handle. I never got to see it, he always flew home for short periods w/o the truck. But it sounded like the cat's meow. We were in Louisiana, so we've never seen cold like that.