Topic: Engine Block Heaters?

[Tnutz]

if i can kick start mine in -13*c up in the great white north with 15-40 in it...youll be fine.

[themagicalatsi]

I'm not speaking from experience here but how about a heated blanket and a cover, or blanket, over that. 

As far as the magnetic puck goes... couldn't you put the puck on the oil tank (it is steel) It would then heat your oil up which is more important then the engine... plus the way aluminum is so good at dissipating heat (especially when you have fins all over the place) it would probably be best not to put it on an aluminum surface

My last idea is a hair dryer... these things are commonly rated at ~1800 watts, that is ~2.5hp... that is a good amount of heat.  Put it under your motorcycle cover facing the engine and now the fins are working for you.  I have also thought of the possibility of heating up the intake air... I would imagine that would help the most with starting.

[Gordon]

As far as the magnetic puck goes... couldn't you put the puck on the oil tank (it is steel) It would then heat your oil up which is more important then the engine... 

There's no oil tank on a 550.

[Tnutz]

There's no oil tank on a 550.

WAHT?!?!?!?!!!?!?!11!?!

[Retro Rocket]

Do you guys have the small fan forced heaters?, i have used these to heat an engine in winter for painting and it worked very well......just an idea.

Mick

[Spanner 1]

I like the 60W bulb with the blanket over the bike....turn off 1 light in your house and your even-steven....!!

[Kframe]

I've wondered before if one of those coffee mug heaters could be used to warm a motorcycle engine block.

There all over the interwebs at about $15.
Like this one:

They run about 18w.
The only thing would be how to temporarily affix it to the block.

On the other hand, it's really not that expensive to run a 100w bulb round the clock.
If you assume 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, and it takes 10 hours burning to equal 1 kWhr, then 0.10 x 24/10 x 31 = $7.44 per month per 100w bulb burning all the time.
-K

[Industrial Cafe]

put it on the head of a floor jack and jack it up to the pan.
 stuff a rag between it and the jack so it can make contact with the pan when it's at an angle.

also sit a brillo pad on top of the heating surface to transfer heat.

[Don R]

 A block heater is going to suck up some watts too.

OK, pad heater hooked to a windmill. Or just take it inside with you.

Seriously though how about the bulb on a lamp timer?

[Industrial Cafe]

that keeps plants warm enough to survive in the freezes we have here. just throw a thick blanket over the whole bike.

[Retro Rocket]

Do you guys have the small fan forced heaters?, i have used these to heat an engine in winter for painting and it worked very well......just an idea.

Mick

Do you guys have these at all, they are a very effective way to heat a motorcycle engine and don't take too long..?

Mick