Oil pan heater, anyone use one?

[NY_Nytro]

Anyone use an oil pan heater on their sled? Did help cold weather startup ?

 

[BigMac]

We've had a lot of cold weather here in Minnesota this year but I haven't had even the slightest issue getting my sled started.

IMHO a block heater is pretty far down the list of things I'd add to my sled.

 

[bashley]

I have one on my Attak and they do a good job. It will still turn over slowly but when it fires you have nice warm oil flowing through the motor.
Be careful on the size and wattage. I had an extra one for my truck laying around and it's a little large in size and a high wattage one so I only plug it in for about 20-30 minutes (if it colder then -10F).

 

[NY_Nytro]

Thanks Bigmac for the reply but was looking for people who are using one or tried one.

My Apex wouldn't start twice last week in -20F and again in -28F , maybe my sled is just a piece of crap.

 

[NY_Nytro]

I have one on my Attak and they do a good job. It will still turn over slowly but when it fires you have nice warm oil flowing through the motor.
Be careful on the size and wattage. I had an extra one for my truck laying around and it's a little large in size and a high wattage one so I only plug it in for about 20-30 minutes (if it colder then -10F).

Someone on Ebay sells a 2x3 inch pad rated at 75 watts for $43. A little piece of mind on those cold mornings.

 

[bashley]

Someone on Ebay sells a 2x3 inch pad rated at 75 watts for $43.

That's sounds like the size you want. Don't leave it plugged in too long though, there's not a all that much oil to heat up. Don't get too discouraged if it takes a couple tries to start it. Once you get that warm oil flowing it should warm it up enough to fire. Good luck.

 

[bjowett]

You may want to add a second pad to the dry sump oil tank... more oil in there. As mentioned, just don't leave em' plugged in too long.

 

[Reimond]

75W is not so much power. Car block heater is around 500W

 

[JDKRXW]

http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/it ... r/1153.htm

I've got one similar to this. I put it on the side of the oil tank for an hour or two, (and throw the tarp on) before starting my sled in really cold weather. I can tell you, at -35F it starts like it's already warmed up. Waaaay easier on the engine.

 

[rightarm]

Thanks Bigmac for the reply but was looking for people who are using one or tried one.

My Apex wouldn't start twice last week in -20F and again in -28F , maybe my sled is just a piece of crap.

Do you trickle charge your battery between rides?

 

[NY_Nytro]

Thanks Bigmac for the reply but was looking for people who are using one or tried one.

My Apex wouldn't start twice last week in -20F and again in -28F , maybe my sled is just a piece of crap.

Do you trickle charge your battery between rides?

No I don't. Do you think it's a voltage issue? Should I get one of those small battery tenders for trips?

 

[SharkAttak]

that's neat

 

[Len Todd]

I tried a small one of the heating pads. Ended up tossing it. The Block Heater in the coolant works a lot faster. Twenty minutes and the sled starts like it is summer time in 20 below degrees F temps. Use some adhesive foil to isolate other parts. They get hot to the touch!

 

[thinksnow]

Go with the coolant line heater. Super easy to install and works great. My sled starts great at -40D in West last year. Takes about 10 minutes to install and I think it was about $30 cost. Plug it in for about 20 minutes and the block is warm.

 

[favarcat]

Go with the coolant line heater. Super easy to install and works great. My sled starts great at -40D in West last year. Takes about 10 minutes to install and I think it was about $30 cost. Plug it in for about 20 minutes and the block is warm.

Did you have any starting issues and not running right because of the EFI reading different temps.?