[Canadian_Mind]

Second winter in my '05, 6.oh ford. So far fate has shown that more often than I would like I am unable to plug the truck in for the night. So to help with that, I'm running a 60-40 rotella ultra elc and rotella T6 0w-40 to keep things as viscous as possible. However, the latest weak point seems to be the batteries, they just aren't able to hold a charge and crank enough below -30c to get the motor to turn over and fire.

So for those out there with experience, what is a good, reliable battery blanket setup? Preferably without the need for an external power input? I understand you can run a block heater and battery blankets off a generator, but I'm not confident in a generators ability to start when the truck wont start.

[Yogi]

When I was going out to the cabin during the winter I always packed a few large bags of charcoal briquettes. Dump some on a metal garbage can lid, light them up. When they be ready for bar-b-q. then slide the lid under the engine and throw a tarp over the front of the truck.

[martin14]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

Second winter in my '05, 6.oh ford. So far fate has shown that more often than I would like I am unable to plug the truck in for the night. So to help with that, I'm running a 60-40 rotella ultra elc and rotella T6 0w-40 to keep things as viscous as possible. However, the latest weak point seems to be the batteries, they just aren't able to hold a charge and crank enough below -30c to get the motor to turn over and fire.

So for those out there with experience, what is a good, reliable battery blanket setup? Preferably without the need for an external power input? I understand you can run a block heater and battery blankets off a generator, but I'm not confident in a generators ability to start when the truck wont start.

You can get solar powered trickle chargers, but doesn't look like solar powered battery blankets exist yet.

Maybe your batteries are getting old...

[Freakinoldguy]

Yogi Yogi:

When I was going out to the cabin during the winter I always packed a few large bags of charcoal briquettes. Dump some on a metal garbage can lid, light them up. When they be ready for bar-b-q. then slide the lid under the engine and throw a tarp over the front of the truck.

Where was your cabin, Leningrad.

That's exactly what the German Army did in the 40's when they were invading Russia.

So much for our advanced technology.

[Canadian_Mind]

martin14 martin14:

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

Second winter in my '05, 6.oh ford. So far fate has shown that more often than I would like I am unable to plug the truck in for the night. So to help with that, I'm running a 60-40 rotella ultra elc and rotella T6 0w-40 to keep things as viscous as possible. However, the latest weak point seems to be the batteries, they just aren't able to hold a charge and crank enough below -30c to get the motor to turn over and fire.

So for those out there with experience, what is a good, reliable battery blanket setup? Preferably without the need for an external power input? I understand you can run a block heater and battery blankets off a generator, but I'm not confident in a generators ability to start when the truck wont start.

Maybe your batteries are getting old...

They were purchased in August.

the charcoal idea sounds interesting.

[Jabberwalker]

$1:

the charcoal idea sounds interesting.

A key part of this charcoal method is diesel... DIESEL! NOT TO USE WITH PETROL ENGINES!

(... and no thawing of icy gasoline lines with a Bic lighter, either!)

[Yogi]

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

$1:

the charcoal idea sounds interesting.

A key part of this charcoal method is diesel... DIESEL! NOT TO USE WITH PETROL ENGINES!

(... and no thawing of icy gasoline lines with a Bic lighter, either!)

Personally, I have only used the charcoal with gas engines. Never had a problem.

[Yogi]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Yogi Yogi:

When I was going out to the cabin during the winter I always packed a few large bags of charcoal briquettes. Dump some on a metal garbage can lid, light them up. When they be ready for bar-b-q. then slide the lid under the engine and throw a tarp over the front of the truck.

Where was your cabin, Leningrad.

That's exactly what the German Army did in the 40's when they were invading Russia.

So much for our advanced technology.

Just North/central AB. I didn't know the Krauts (or anyone else) used this method. Guess it fits in the "Great minds think alike.." category

[Hyack]

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

(... and no thawing of icy gasoline lines with a Bic lighter, either!)

True enough, a good propane torch works a whole lot faster....

[Jabberwalker]

Yogi Yogi:

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

$1:

the charcoal idea sounds interesting.

A key part of this charcoal method is diesel... DIESEL! NOT TO USE WITH PETROL ENGINES!

(... and no thawing of icy gasoline lines with a Bic lighter, either!)

Personally, I have only used the charcoal with gas engines. Never had a problem.

... as long as you A) don't have a drippy gas line somewhere and B) the charcoal isn't sitting right under your fuel tank, .. then go for it, Clem!

[Yogi]

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

$1:

the charcoal idea sounds interesting.

A key part of this charcoal method is diesel... DIESEL! NOT TO USE WITH PETROL ENGINES!

(... and no thawing of icy gasoline lines with a Bic lighter, either!)

Personally, I have only used the charcoal with gas engines. Never had a problem.

... as long as you A) don't have a drippy gas line somewhere and B) the charcoal isn't sitting right under your fuel tank, .. then go for it, Clem![/quote]



I've never owned a vehicle that had the fuel tank beside the engine...

[Jabberwalker]

:idea:

I've never owned a vehicle that had the fuel tank [i]beside the engine...[/quote][/i]

No, nor have I but they can be pretty frickin' close together. Trust Ford to design one that bursts into flames for no apparent reason.

[trexx]

Hi new member here.

Guess I can start by taking a shot at this thread.
I have spent a few winters north of 60 back in the day.

Somewhere usually starting around -37 to -43C bad things start to happen.
Diesel starts to gel.
Propane regulators stop functioning.
Batteries fail, etc etc
The advantage of diesel engines is you can let them idle, for weeks on end if needed.
When I spent a winter in Norman Wells we let our gas 4 by 4's idle all night if it was below-40C.
And that is brutally hard on gaspots.

So buy a battery warmer and dipstick heater to use in conjunction with the block heater.
Do not trust fuel suppliers to have "winter" gas or diesel, contact your local heavy duty mechanic for advice on the best diesel fuel additive and use it.
Ether is very hard on engines but is usually required for starting all diesels in very cold weather, buy a few cans.
Try jumping a running diesel to your diesel and hitting it with the spray ether.

Buy a "tiger torch" for a 20lb propane tank.
Score a chunk of stovepipe for directing the tiger torch, point it at the oil pan .
Remember to keep the propane tank indoors as it can be very difficult to get propane to flow below-40C.
You could also source out a "Herman Nelson" type heater to use in conjunction with a tarp but that is getting expensive.
If you burn your vehicle up while heating it chances are the insurance company is going to walk away.

Try the old 60W light bulb trick (works on propane regulators too).
Construct a boxy shield like affair out of cardboard and cover it with several layers of tin foil.
Thread a trouble light cord through the center of your shield.
Place it over your fuel injection system or propane regulator and plug it in overnight.

Or do like they do in the High Arctic and just leaver her run all night long.
Because of theft that only works in secure locations I suppose.

You could try setting your alarm and getting up every 4 hours to warm it up.

[Jabberwalker]

$1:

Diesel starts to gel

Diesel gets waxy.

[trexx]

I though the viscosity of diesel fuel increased as a function of very low temperaturea