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Block heater/winterization advice needed

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by poshmick907ak, Apr 3, 2020.

  1. Apr 3, 2020 at 5:22 PM
    #1
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    I just bought a new 2020 TRD for use in Alaska and although it included a winterization package there was no block heater (just an oil pan heater and a battery heater). The dealer told me that Toyota is now recommending just using this combo and not providing block heaters for cold weather Tacoma owners. Is this right? I heard there were some big issues with Toyota OEM block heaters a few years ago and they quit making them, so I'm wondering if that's just a scripted excuse.

    I bought a Kat's block heater (link below) and was planning on installing it and wiring it up with the battery warmer so that the grill plug will just do the block and the battery. I was going to come up with some kind of switch that ties this into the oil pan heater so I can still optionally use that if I ever needed to, but probably won't and will keep the oil pan heater off mostly. I've been told that oil pan heaters should only be used in extreme cold (like colder than -10F) and I live in a cold area, but our winters are usually more mild and closer to the 15-0F range.
    https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Heaters/Kats-Heaters/KH11813.html

    Any ideas on how to wire a 110v switch into the Taco for the oil pan heater? It's gross, but I was thinking of a fully enclosed gangbox with an outdoor light switch under the dash.
     
  2. Apr 3, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #2
    Holdfast4

    Holdfast4 Well-Known Member

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    You can't buy a Tacoma in Alberta without an OEM block heater installed (at an additional cost of course), so what the dealer told you sounds a bit suspect to me. I've used my block heater for 4 years now and it has not given me any problems.
     
  3. Apr 3, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #3
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    Doing some more research it looks like all the new Tacoma's sold in the US still have the block hole to mount a cartridge heater although they recalled/discontinued US block heaters (I guess they still make them for the Canadian market). I think I'm going to press forward with wiring my own block heater up and putting in a 110v switch inline before the oil pan heater.
     
  4. Apr 3, 2020 at 5:43 PM
    #4
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    I'd find a relay rated for 120vac with a 12vdc coil, then you can use a regular dash switch like everything else.
     
  5. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:06 PM
    #5
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    That's a really good idea, I'd just assumed since it was 120vac that wouldn't be an option. Any recommendations on a 120vac relay and what does the 12vdc coil do?
     
  6. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:10 PM
    #6
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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  7. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:16 PM
    #7
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    Got it, so as long as there's 12v supplied, the circuit for the 120 is closed otherwise it automatically opens the 120v switch when 12v power is lost?

    Thinking through that, I'd need to wire the 12v supply for the interior switch directly to the battery since the oil pan heater would be active when the truck is off and parked for the night. If I forget to ever turn off the switch engaging the oil pan heater, it would continue to always send 12v to the 120vac relay even when the truck is not in use... any idea how long this would be ok before becoming an issue and draining the battery if I had the truck parked for a while?
     
  8. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:24 PM
    #8
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    It would last a long long time.


    But the more I think about it, it might be easier to just bring a second cord out the grill and just plug in the oil pan heater when you need it.
     
  9. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #9
    BigWhiteTRD

    BigWhiteTRD Official thread killer (only crickets remain)

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    eurowner likes this.
  10. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #10
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    Actually, I think I'll wire in a 120vac to 12vdc power supply into thee 120vac feed into the engine compartment so I can use that for the 120vac relay controlling the oil pan heater. Might even to the same with the battery warmer and block heater so I can control any combination of them from the inside.
     
  11. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:26 PM
    #11
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the tip about the code, I'll look into that thread!
     
  12. Apr 3, 2020 at 6:33 PM
    #12
    poshmick907ak

    poshmick907ak [OP] Member

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    I read through a lot of that and the problem with the code seems to be specific to letting the block heater run all night and then starting the engine in extreme cold. It seems like those who run their block heaters on a timer or plug in just a few hours in advance weren't having the problem. I was planning on installing all the 120vac heating elements behind this magnetic plug/timed heater so I don't think I'll have a problem:
    https://voltsafe.com/en/
     
  13. Apr 3, 2020 at 7:10 PM
    #13
    Canufixit

    Canufixit Well-Known Member

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    As the heaters (Block, oil Bat, etc) are not something you just switch on and off while driving - why not just put the switch next to the plug for the 120V cord?? A Lot easier install than screwing around with pulling wires through the firewall and dash. ??
     
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