Power for block heater

[Bonanza]

Hello all, I need some help.  I have a 1976 Chevy 1/2 ton with a block heater, the kind that actually has hoses and keeps the antifreeze warm, not the heat pad on oil pan style and i'd like to pick everyones brain on how to power this system this winter.  I live in a condo which doesn't have elec. outlets outside for me to plug into so I need to figure out a way to plug in this heater.  Is there a way I can hook up another battery that could power this?  I guess i'd have to hook it up to the alternator too to keep it charged, or should/could I buy a portable power supply that would have enough juice in the cold of winter, to plug the heater into?  Any help/thoughts/product suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[beastie_3]

I imagine this is a aftermarket system? Is it 12v or 110v? Everyone here loves pics!

[Bonanza]

I used to plug it into a reg. wall outlet so 110v  I'll take some pics soon.

[VileZambonie]

A parallel auxiliary battery with an on off switch is fine. How many watts is the heater so we can determine what size inverter you need?

do you really need the heater? You can't run a stealth extension cord somewhere?

[Bonanza]

i don't know if I really need the heater or not.  I figured since I have it though, I might as well use it.  I live in Steamboat Springs, CO. and it gets super cold here in the winter.  I have put in Valvo Syn Power 10w-30 full synthetic for the winter though, maybe help with cold starts and no, there is no way to run a stealth cord.  the parking is kinda far from my place and the cord would have to run across the lot.  I'll take some pics in about 30 mins and post them so you all could get a better idea.  Thanks for the quick responses.

[Bonanza]

Ok, got some more info for you all.  The heater is a Kats, Model #K85, 850W-120V.  I tried to upload some pics but I think they are too big.  I'll try to shrink them down and attach them again.

[Bonanza]

ok, let's try it this way.

[VileZambonie]

I thought you had a diesel!

So in about 8 hours or less your battery will be stone dead.

[Bonanza]

Oh yeah, it's gasoline, sorry.  So the extra battery idea is out the window eh?

[beastie_3]

Have you ever had problems with your engine cooling system? How cold does it get there? I suppose if you had fresh antifreeze at the right mixture, you wouldnt need the block heater. This California guy doesn't have experience with what cold is.

[84ramcharger]

I'll throw my 2 cents in ....

Make sure ur antifreeze is good , 65/35 is what I run here in the winter , also make sure the battery is good and can handle the cold start 's . I'd switch to 5w30 oil . Plus make sure the carb is set up well .  -35 c is what I'm used to up here in Canada .

[Donut]

Everything Ramcharger said.  Good tune, good strong battery, clean connections.  Just allow yourself a little extra "warm-up" time.  I don't believe we get quite as cold up here as you do, but I don't believe I've plugged in a gasoline vehicle since the '70's.

[Blazin]

X2 on the previous. We regularly see -10 below here. Some nights up to -20 below but not common. I don't plug any of my rigs in. Another cold start tip is to turn your head lights on for 20 or 30 seconds before you crank it. It kinda wakes the battery up a little bit.

[VileZambonie]

Keep a jump box charged up in your house and a can of starting fluid as your back up. Make sure the choke is properly set, tune it up ( run the stock heat range plug), run 5w30 or 10w30, make sure the battery is healthy. Keep a lil dry gas in there too. You'll be fine.

[malibu795]

a good inverter will have a low voltage cut-out... at 10v  one can put a clock switch on the outlet to turn the heater one 1-2 hours prior to driving the truck...

1,000W invert will run that.. also runing the heater and engine will short warm-up time...