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Does anyone have any recommendations on installing a freeze plug sytle block heater? I'll be recieving mine quite soon, and hope to have it installed shortly after. My main concern is removing the freeze plug from the block. Also, any recommendations on how to set it up electrically as far as timers, remotes, etc?

I can't speak to installing other than to be sure you have a really good seal after install so you don't have leaks.

As for timers I just got a medium duty timer from Walmart -- the kind with a cover on the front and a rotating wheel containing push pins. I've found that about 3hrs is what it takes to hit max temperature -- longer will eventually raise the temperature a bit more but not enough to be worth the extra expense.

Just whatever you do, be sure you make a habit of walking around the car before driving it to ensure you've unplugged the EBH!! I've also made a habit of plugging in the car every time I pull into the garage to avoid those, "D'oh!!! I forgot to plug it in -- AGAIN!!!!!" moments. Habits are your friends in this case. ;)

I think you are really going to enjoy the help in the mornings -- let us know how the install goes.

I think you are really going to enjoy the help in the mornings -- let us know how the install goes.

Well, I won't be enjoying it as much as my wife as it is going on the Matrix which I rarely drive now. But, I'm sure she will enjoy it. Thankfully, she has to walk around the car to get into it, so unplugging it shouldn't be too much of a problem. We'll see about plugging it back in. Unfortunately, she (both of us actually) have to park outside, so I'm hoping that the grill blocks will help a little bit for retaining some of the heat in the engine bay. Again, we'll have to see.

The thing about the timer is kind of that I'd like some sort of remote for it to turn it on at will. So, say you need to go somewhere on the weekend you can flip a switch or push a button and it starts to warm up. Since its outside and not in a garage this would be pretty nice.

Interesting idea! Something like the below product might work?

Remote Control Outlet Switch (http://www.daydeal.com/product.php?productid=16211)

Yeah, something very much like that. :)

maybe some x10/zwave/insteon stuff would work for you.

Here is a link to some x10 equipment, that should do what you want.

http://www.x10.com/promotions/mt12a_ed_premiere_0912.html

The first package is about $30 and comes with
2 lamp modules
And The clock functions as a timer/remote.

So you can set it to come on in the morning before work, and turn off on its own when the person should be gone. Or you can also push a button on the clock to have it come on before you go somewhere.

The second package costs $70 and comes with a all of the above plus
seperate wireless rf remote, and reciever.
a socket rocket for screwin light bulbs,
an appliance module for higher amps
and a keyfob remote.


There can be some interference in your lines so ymmv.

I think I remember something about the original X10 stuff not being able to handle high watt applications? Does anyone know about this? It looks like the one you posted doesn't have a ground prong on it either. But, it does look perfect for what I'd like, a timer and a remote!

Yeah the second set farther down the page has the appliance module, read it wrong the appliance modules only difference is that it is 3 prong, and the lamp module is 2 prong.

They both are rated to handle 15 amps. Not sure what sort of rating u need for an engine block heater.

You could always add a seperate appliance module to the first set. Obviously this is a fair amount more than just a regular remote and plug.

Are you putting this on your Corolla?
What specific concerns do you have about the process?
Here are my instructions for installing an EBH on a Highlander Hybrid (http://www.greenhybrid.com/wiki/index.php/Highlander_Hybrid_EBH_Installation_Instructions)...perhaps it'll give you some idea of what to expect on whatever vehicle you're installing on.

I think he already has it installed, and is wondering more about the capability of some HA plugs I linked him to, to take the voltage required from the heater.

HA is only a hobby for me. I'm by no means an electrician so I really don't know. My personal response to these types of questions is usually plug it in and lets find out, but some people aren't built that way, and the HA stuff is not free. If I have something that puts out 500w at the house I have an extra appliance module laying around somewhere that I mgiht be able to test for you. But i'm not sure what I would have that is 500w, maybe my tv or pc or something.

HA=Home Automation.

The thing about the timer is kind of that I'd like some sort of remote for it to turn it on at will. So, say you need to go somewhere on the weekend you can flip a switch or push a button and it starts to warm up. Since its outside and not in a garage this would be pretty nice.

The timer I have has the normal mode which only turns it on for the pins that are pushed. Then there is two other modes, off and on. They do what you'd expect them to do ;) I just have to turn the center knob and I can put turn it ON without worry of losing the settings for the timer mode.

I got mine at home depot and it was only like $9.95

That maybe all that u need and it sounds cheaper 2.

With that said, seeing as it is xmas time, there maybe some additional remote+timer type devices in stores because of all the xmas lighting people like to put everywhere.

That maybe all that u need and it sounds cheaper 2.

With that said, seeing as it is xmas time, there maybe some additional remote+timer type devices in stores because of all the xmas lighting people like to put everywhere.

Your probably right... and if you wait till after christmas you'll probably find them on sale! :D

I haven't installed it yet, but I'm not real concerned with the actual installation. I just wanted to know how you guys remove the freeze plug. I'll have to keep an eye out for some specials on some remote/timers.

I took a 3/8" breaker bar and used that to take it off. You need either a breaker bar or a LONG handled rachet to get it off. The holes are typically 3/8" square (perfect for your rachet) or maybe 1/2" depending on your car.

Just a couple questions reguarding these heaters. It seems like most people only run these in the winter.

I'm just guessing here, so I could be way off.

In the summer if you don't use 1 in the cold places u usually start with everything probably around 70-80 maybe even up to 100 degrees.

So i'm wondering if there is really a need to heat it up to say 130, if you're able to get better numbers in the summer just by starting at 70-80.

Also wouldn't the time it takes to go from say 70-140 be more than the time it takes to go from 0-70, so you could be using a lot more energy that you don't need to.

I'm probably way off, but I figured i'd throw it out there so I could learn something.

its been in the 70's and 80's as highs here in NC and I'm still using mine. I'm seeing coolant temps of around 150 when I start up the car when its this warm. When it was very cold out a couple weeks ago It only got up to around 120.

I plan on using mine during the summer and winter since my daily commute is so short... without a block heater I'd never get up to temp.

Does anyone have any recommendations on installing a freeze plug sytle block heater? I'll be recieving mine quite soon, and hope to have it installed shortly after. My main concern is removing the freeze plug from the block. Also, any recommendations on how to set it up electrically as far as timers, remotes, etc?

I'll take a stab at this one. Keep in mind that the last freeze plug I installed was ~25 years ago on an engine from a '71 AMC Hornet that was hanging on a hoist.;) Any way, it seems that I used a screwdriver or an awl and poked it through the plug and pried it out. I hope that helps.

The Insights use a Civic block heater, that is threaded. As Blake has said, use a breaker bar/ratchet.

I, like Larry, rememeber when.

Randall