Generator Foundation: Engine Block Heater

In this section of the generator basic knowledge series, Dingbo Electric will break away from answering the question "What is a cylinder heater?" and provide advice on proper maintenance and upkeep.

What is the engine block heater?

The engine block heater, also known as the water jacket heater and engine preheater, is crucial for maintaining the ideal starting temperature of diesel generators. The relevant regulations of the national fire prevention department require all critical task standby generators to be able to start and meet operating conditions within 10 seconds of a power outage. To avoid dangerous cold starts, the engine coolant should be maintained at 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most new generator sets are equipped with cylinder heaters as standard equipment. However, when choosing the appropriate size of heater, it is best to understand what factors need to be considered. Firstly, consider the fluctuations in ambient working temperature. For example, the colder the air, the greater the required heater power. The cooling water volume and the total surface area of the engine also play an important role. Under normal heating conditions, compressed space per cubic inch may require 3 watts of power, while colder applications may reach 5 watts per cubic inch.

What does a cylinder heater do?

Reduce engine wear: Keep the temperature between 100 and 120 degrees, and increase the oil pressure enough to provide sufficient lubrication during startup to limit metal to metal contact related to cold start.

Reducing emissions: Cold engines have low operating efficiency. Less fuel combustion leads to wet stack conditions and black smoke. The cylinder block heater can almost immediately reach its optimal state, correctly burning fuel and reducing engine wear. This also saves fuel for longer working hours.

Less pressure on other systems: Cold batteries can reduce startup capacity, and cold starts can severely deplete the battery system of the device.

Maintenance of engine block heater:

Proper maintenance and selection are key to ensuring the normal operation of the engine block heater.

Check the water heater once a week and clean and flush it every two years.

Avoid hard water.

Properly mix antifreeze to avoid scaling and weather related hard starts.

Professionals recommend replacing rubber hoses every three years. Silicone hoses are more suitable for high-temperature applications.

Founded in 1974, Dingbo Power Generation Equipment Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of diesel engines, generators and generator sets, and one of the earliest manufacturers of diesel engines, generators and generator sets in China. Since 1992, the company has been a qualified generator set manufacturer inspected by the National Internal Combustion Engine Generator Set Quality Supervision and Inspection Center. Over the years, the company has carried out extensive cooperation with Shanghai Diesel, Weichai, Sweden Volvo, Sino US joint venture Chongqing Cummins, American Qianglu and other companies, and has become a (OEM) supporting factory and technical center. It has 64 sales service departments nationwide, providing users with design, supply, commissioning and maintenance services at any time. Dingbo quality is worth depending on. If you want get more information, please feel free to send email to sales@dieselgeneratortech.com we will pay highly attention on your question.