Kats 400W blockheater test

If you ever wondered how long you should plug in your trucks blockheater, well I did two trials on a 2017 Tacoma (3.5l). Let the truck cold soak overnight both times, then plugged in the Kats 400W blockheater and recorded the coolant temperature (WT) readout on a Scangauge2 every 15 minutes.

First test started at -22 C, WT quickly warmed up to 8 C after 2 hours at which point I stopped recording and went t work.

This morning started the second test (ambient temperature of -32 C, which corresponded to a WT readout of also -32 C). Once hour to -13 C, two hours to -9 C, then the rate of warming dropped off significantly and after 3.5 hrs WT was still only at -6 and I stopped recording.

Basically goes to show that there really isn't any point to plugging in a blockheater for more than 2 hours.

If we get some colder temps below -40 C I'll do another test. The difference in the ambient starting temperature between -22 C and -32C makes a significant difference on the temperature to which the blockheater is able to heat the coolant indirectly by warming the entire block.

Both tests done with hood closed while heating and zero wind with the truck outside on level ground.

Just in case anyone finds this interesting... I believe the Toyota factory blockheaters are also 400W so results should be similar. Temps in Fahrenheit on the right hand axis.

 

nice work, interesting data. I guess most of us that plug in leave it over night more for convenience than actual need. Good to know though.

not sure if you've seen it, but there's a thread regarding the OEM Toyota Canada block heater and there have been 2 Tacoma fires this week

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-block-heater-recall.665044/