Engine block heater (41H)
#102
Re: Engine block heater (41H)
FWIW, I started today with a battery temp ( Tav ) of 32 degrees, and the battery was to 62 degrees after ~30 minutes of around town use. 70 degrees after 45 minutes.
OAT was in the middle 30's.
Perhaps Ford dropped this option ( battery heater ) because it wasn't worth the effort for all but the most extreeme ( Artic Circle ) conditions?
OAT was in the middle 30's.
Perhaps Ford dropped this option ( battery heater ) because it wasn't worth the effort for all but the most extreeme ( Artic Circle ) conditions?
#103
Re: Engine block heater (41H)
The only item missing from newer FEH is a "thin" (I don't know the guage) wire from the hybrid battery to the location under the washer fluid reservoir where the charger is located. The wire itself can not cost alot but I can not speculate on what the labor cost is for installation during the vehicle build. I would much rather start my vehicle after it has been on the charger for several hours than to start a cold vehicle and drive in one during "true" winter conditions.
#106
Re: Engine block heater (41H)
Newbie here. I have a 2011 FEH with Scangauge II. The newer (2010-12) FEH seems to work a bit differently as far as engine warmup are concerned. Here's my experience: I park in a heated garage (usually above 50F). My eCWT is at 100F very quickly (less than 1/4 mile). Since I live on a hill, as I use the brakes to go down the hill, the EV comes on very quickly and I can maintain EV as long as I don't turn the heater on or accelerate too fast (or run out of HV power). When I get to the bottom of the hill (stoplight), I usually have to accelerate enough to turn on the ICE again. However, if I get up to speed (40mph) quickly and glide, the ICE will again turn off. Even though the FEH doesn't consider the engine sufficiently "heated" until eCWT is about 136F (for me), I am often bouncing in and out of ICE below that temperature. I've been debating getting a EBH but do not think it will be worth the investment ($300 for me installed). Is the above everyone elses' experience with the FEH (earlier models)? BTW, I can easily stay in EV at 44-45mph but the ICE will always kick on at 46mph.
#107
Re: Engine block heater (41H)
If you park in a heated garage all the time, then the engine block heater would be a waste of funds.
There has been software and hardware changes since the first generation 05-08 that have improved on the efficiency of the vehicles. Enjoy it.
There has been software and hardware changes since the first generation 05-08 that have improved on the efficiency of the vehicles. Enjoy it.
#108
Re: Engine block heater (41H)
Newbie here. I have a 2011 FEH with Scangauge II. The newer (2010-12) FEH seems to work a bit differently as far as engine warmup are concerned. Here's my experience: I park in a heated garage (usually above 50F). My eCWT is at 100F very quickly (less than 1/4 mile). Since I live on a hill, as I use the brakes to go down the hill, the EV comes on very quickly and I can maintain EV as long as I don't turn the heater on or accelerate too fast (or run out of HV power). When I get to the bottom of the hill (stoplight), I usually have to accelerate enough to turn on the ICE again. However, if I get up to speed (40mph) quickly and glide, the ICE will again turn off. Even though the FEH doesn't consider the engine sufficiently "heated" until eCWT is about 136F (for me), I am often bouncing in and out of ICE below that temperature. I've been debating getting a EBH but do not think it will be worth the investment ($300 for me installed). Is the above everyone elses' experience with the FEH (earlier models)? BTW, I can easily stay in EV at 44-45mph but the ICE will always kick on at 46mph.
If it is rarely, or never below freezing, forget it.
If it is sometimes in the 20's, you are possibly going to benefit.
If it is often below 20, I say go for it. °F I mean.
The heater is 400 watts, so you spend about 5¢ to 10¢ an hour to run it, and you need to run it about 4 hours a day. Will it save you 40¢ a day in gas?
hth,
John
#109
Re: Engine block heater (41H)
Thanks for the responses. I park in a garage (partially heated) 100% of the time and park outside at work. My main interest is to offset more fossil fuel usage onto my solar panels. At 10 cents/kwh (Colorado), I could run it for 2 hours in the morning which would cost 10 cents. I would need to get slightly more than 1mpg increase to justify it as I am now using 1 gallon a day to drive 40 miles (on average) which is about 9 cents per mile (assuming $3.50/gallon gas). If you assume the benefit would only be realized 3 months of the year (winter), I would need a 4mpg increase during that time to justify it. Given the improved management of EV in the 2011 FEH, I'm not sure I can achieve that. Thanks again!
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