MiHG Prius Block Heater Install 2-10-07

[bradlee]

FYI...the Group Install is being performed by Wayne Mitchell and Ken Keuler.

TWO GUYS and TEN BLOCK HEATERS, OUT TO SAVE THE EARTH

The Milwaukee Hybrid Group (MiHG) Will Hold It’s Second Prius Block Heater Group Install This Saturday in Pewaukee

Pewaukee, Wis. – This Saturday around 9am, people will be wondering what is happening to their Kopmeier Drive neighborhood. There will be as many as 10 Toyota Prius hybrids in the street and around the garage of Bradlee and Justin Fons, founders of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group for a block heater group install. Ten MiHG members will be traveling from Madison, Beaver Dam, Belgium and Thiensville WI. and from Chicago and Tinley Park IL. to have new block heaters installed by two other MiHG members. This will be the second such event offered by the MiHG to its members. The first occurred on Sat. Dec 17th in Oak Creek WI. when 5 Prius had block heaters installed in about 21/2 hours hours. This time, MiHG members intend on getting this done by 1pm: 10 heaters in 10 cars in 4 hours.

Most MiHG members believe that block heaters are an energy efficient means of improving cold start fuel mileage and lowering greenhouse emissions. National Resources Canada estimates that winter fuel economy can improve as much as 10% with a block heater. Environmental Services of Anchorage, Alaska states that a block heater can reduce cold start CO emissions by an average of 60%. In addition a block heater can give you more heat quicker than in a vehicle without one. Block heaters can also reduce engine wear and promote cold weather starting all for about 30 cents a day (with a timer set for 3 hours).

Though MiHG members are always looking for ways to improve mileage and lowering emissions, block heaters are as effective in any vehicle hybrid or conventional. And the last benefit is that you will have heat in your vehicle within minutes after starting. Many will find that benefit alone well worth the investment.

For additional information on block heaters and other EcoDriving tips to better fuel economy, stop in at the Milwaukee Hybrid Group booth at the upcoming Milwaukee Auto Show. Look for our members in the hybrid green vests.

Bradlee Fons
brad@milwaukeehybridgroup.com

[xcel]

Hi Bradlee:

___You guys are probably buried in installs right now but pass on some pics when you get the chance.

___Please thank Wayne and Ken for offering to do the installs!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[bradlee]

Wayne I'll get some Pics ASAP. Justin needs to do that.

Well the boys did it. Though the temps outside were about 5 above zero, the temp may have been about 20 degrees inside, considering we had about 10 people huddling about and schmoozing while Wayne and his son Richard and Ken are trying to get some work done. They did 8 cars in about 4 hours! Wonderful camaraderie!

We started about 9:15am and were done by about 1pm. We talked our way of getting about 13 parking tickets because Pewaukee winter parking regs do not allow street parking. The officer was impressed with what we were doing, even if we parked our 3 Insights and 10 Prius illegally.

Members and friends bought Texas Chili and just about every flavor of Kringle made, in addition to good coffee and tea. Though nobody took advantage of it, maybe because they would have felt guilty that the boys were out in the cold, the movies "Inconvenient Truth" and Who Killed the Electric Car" were available to be seen.

Justin took several drivers out for some intense driver training while the boys worked their magic. Several grill blocks were also installed by members too. Members exchanged current mpg stats and additional tips on getting better mileage overall.

All and all it was a wonderful time to meet new friends and to talk shop. The real stars of this event were Wayne and Ken whose unselfish dedication to our members and our mission was spectacular. Thanks to Eric Powers for setting up this install from Madison. I thank all people who brought food and to my wife Marie who kept the members warm with sustenance and to Judy whose chili nourished us.

Wayne Mitchell and Ken Keuler you are the BEST.

Bradlee Fons

[hobbit]

Did they go in from the top or the bottom? I.e. pull the
cowl or not..
.
_H*

[philmcneal]

dang i still need to shop around for a NWH11 block heater as well as finding a reliable guy that won't mess up my tire pressure because he claims his advice is safer than mine...

[FireEngineer]

Hobbit,

We went in from the bottom. Both Ken and I(barely) have small enough arms to reach well enough. The goal is to take no more than 30 minutes per install.

Wayne