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Engine block heater vs. Battery Blanket?

23K views 28 replies 8 participants last post by  NHWK05 
#1 ·
So i thought this question would best fit in this section. For those of us that live in the frigid climates during the winter, what is everyone's opinions on keeping your Jeep nice and warm?

The cheaper of the two is the battery blanket, but, is the battery the better item to keep warm? Or is it the block being warm better? :confused::confused::confused::confused:
 
#2 ·
block is probubly going to work better. honestly i don't have either. my xj started like normal after sitting for three days in 20 below weather. my battery is a wally world cheapy becasue i didn't want it to hurt my yellow top.


Now i use the yellow top for my secondary for both amps, and the cheapy for my main.

I use no heaters and live in MN and make snowmobile trips to the UP of michigan to snowmobile. there good to have to cut warm up time in half.
 
#3 ·
Thanks denny for the reply. As a side note, im more concerned about what would be better for the initial starting up of the vehicle rather than the time it takes to heat up to 195*. Once the Jeep is started ill let it run til its gets warm.
 
#4 ·
well a block heater heat the engine coolant only. some guys buy oil heaters but i would never because it kills your oil life. I have never used a battery warmer, but if the warmer would keep the battery warm throughout the night it would keep a full charge. so Ide guess teh battery warmer might work well. my dads ram has the plugin, he sets it on a christams light timer he likes that alot. starts perfect everytime. but he also has a yellow top in his.
 
#6 ·
My truck came with the bat blanket. I was interested in the block heater too. But the cars I've had in the past have done fine with starting in the winter. Now that I have a 4x4 with remote start I welcome winter to bring it!!! LOL
 
#7 ·
Battery blanket will only protect the battery. When we get the -15 wind chill temps up here its takes a tole on the jeep and no remote start will make that first start up any easier.

I had a block heater in my xj and when it was in the negatives i would get in my jeep and it would turn right over and be at 100* on the needle.

I never used me remote start.

For the $35 for the block heater and the time to put it in or have it put in, i say engine block heater all the way. Then i would consider getting a battery blanket as well to keep the battery from freezing. But any good quality battery should not freeze, I never had an issue when i had my optima yellow top except for the fact that it only lasted 2 years before crapping out.
 
#8 ·
Teah the coldest it gets where I'm at is maybe 0 or -5 if that.

---------- Post added at 09:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 AM ----------

The block heater has to be plugged in correct?
 
#10 ·
interesting thread... i had thought (hoped) that since I had the battery blanked in my SRT that I would have had a block heater, but i've looked everywhere for a cord and can't find one... Oh well, it doesn't tend to get too cold here in Maryland (though this past winter was awfully cold).
 
#11 ·
Well, the block heater is $35 and then its a matter of having it installed. it goes in a specific freeze plug in the block so it keeps the antifreeze warm. My 4.7 did not come with one but i bought a new one a while ago that i am going to have put in before winter and i am going to save my money and not get a remote start that justs wastes gas.
 
#14 ·
I believe so. You need an extion cord. Well the trucks at my job and every other engine block heater I've seen did.
 
#15 ·
Yes, it has an electrical cord attached to it and you plug it in to an extension cord out side your house.

It draws very little electricity so its not gonna rack up the electrical bill and it just keeps the anti freeze warm keeping the block warm. its a very simple convenience.
 
#19 ·
I used to have one and it was nice.

But if you look at it this way, The engine is cold and the battery is cold. That is the time when it undergoes the most stress and can do the most damage when its had no oil flowing and its bitterly cold out.

The block heater keeps the clock warm and the oil and anti freeze warm so no matter how cold it is the engine should be around 100* when you first get in. So yes the air in the jeep is cold but the heater will be blowing hot air within 5 minutes of startup.

The battery blanket will keep the battery from freezing and that first start on a cold battery can drain it alot so it will save the life of the battery guaranteeing a start every time.

I have never used a remote start since i did the block heater, i just need the battery blanket for the wk now.
 
#20 ·
Ah sounds good. My biggest thing with the block heater is the installation. Id end up pay someone to do it for me, and i dont feel like spending that money right now. However, in any northern states, block heaters should be standard equipment. I know here in the Chicago area the naperville jeep-dodge dealer started with battery blankets on every jeep. Its a start. It would add what 10-15 dollars to the sticker? When you are paying 25-35k who gives a crap. Especially for a block heater.
 
#21 ·
Its an easy install its just hard to get to. on the 4.7 it goes on the rear ward most(towards fire wall) freeze plug on the left side of the engine (if your looking at it) and the wire gets tied off to the dip stick tube. You do loose coolant so that has to be refilled but thats it.

the 3.7 its the same but it goes on the forward most freeze plug (near the front of engine)

just for jeeps has the install.

But i am lazy and i would still pay to have it done. I think its 30 mins labor or sumtin.
 
#24 ·
Speaking from experience(regular -30 days in the winter) a block heater is definately the way to go. It will allow the engine to turn over,where a warm battery will have juice but if the engine is so stiff it can barely crank-it doesn't do you much good. A blanket is cheap insurance from freezing the battery-something that can also make an engine hard to turn over,lol. The remote start won't keep the engine loose unless you use the timed start which fires it up automatically every 2-3 hours,but obviously wastes gas.
 
#25 ·
my jeep is origionaly from Maine. it has it had neither. Ive thought about the heater for my maine battery. but i cant seem to find a place around me that sells them.
 
#27 ·
I have one for the 4.0 Ho uninstalled i will sell ya. I was gonna use it on my xj but i sold my xj and i i found out this weekend that it wont work on the wk so i will sell it to ya $30 shipped. They are $32 plus hsipping from just for jeeps. Has all parts and instructions.

Then i can take that $ and order a new block heater for my 4.7.
 
#28 ·
I got a few projects goin so i dont have the money right now i'll hit u up if u still have it when i can tho. thanks bro!
 
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