Blockheater - how to rout out?

[BroncMan]

Hi there,
I just registered and it's my first post.
Even though there was another similar question, it didn't help much since only the Badlands has towing hooks as openings.
With the Outer Banks I can't find a way to rout a short extension cord from under the hood to the outside ... and have to open the hood every time.
Any suggestions anyone?

Also: what is the wattage of the block heater. Is it true its only 400 watts?
With quite an extension from the house it seems to not do much / be very weak.
Are there alternatives / stronger heaters?

Thanks

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[Queen Bea]

We connect the extension cord to the heater cord under the hood, and close the hood only to "one click". That leaves space for the extension cord to exit the engine bay without getting squeezed by the hood, and it leaves the engine bay secure.

 

[RSH]

Unfortunately there is no alternate routing of the factory block heater plug, the owners manual says not to move it.
The owners manual says to connect using a 16 gaige extension cord rated for outdoor use, it should also be as short as possible, and not to connect multiple cords together.
The manual also says it takes 3 hours for the heater to get to maximum temperature. The heater does not have a thermostat.

 

[BroncMan]

We connect the extension cord to the heater cord under the hood, and close the hood only to "one click". That leaves space for the extension cord to exit the engine bay without getting squeezed by the hood, and it leaves the engine bay secure.

Thanks for the reply., Queen Bea
Hood half closed ... Ok - I've been doing that ... still very inconvenient.
Also: Bronco cannot be started remotely when hood is not completely closed., so I have to go every time, unhook the block heater, close hood, then start engine for warm-up ... which is important in the winter.

Anyways - still hoping for some genius to find a way. I'll investigate more in the summer when it's not -35°, like now.

Anyone - Please send more suggestions if there are any.

Thanks

 

[AndyMac204]

We connect the extension cord to the heater cord under the hood, and close the hood only to "one click". That leaves space for the extension cord to exit the engine bay without getting squeezed by the hood, and it leaves the engine bay secure.

this is exactly what we have been doing. not ideal, but it works.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Here's what I have been doing:

I bought a 6 ft cold weather block heater cord and ran it (loosely) from the heater plug to the passenger side front and through the drain.

When I am not using it, it is coiled up underneath the tremendous gap under the rear of the hood, passenger side.

When I need to plug in, I uncoil and put a shammy (not pictured) between the finish and the cord and plug, and plug in the cable from my home outlet.

When I am ready to drive, I coil it back up and stuff in an old sock cut in half so there is no chance of anything unravelling...primitive but it works.

I should also mention that I use a $15 Canadian Tire windshield cover to keep snow out of the hood space. I personally think that the ability to get this cord out is the only redeeming feature of the huge gap.

When I need it, I run the heater for 5-6 hours prior to driving if it's below -8C. It's on a timer from my home outlet. The heater does make a difference if run long enough. You may not notice the first few cranks but you should find the idle drops fairly quickly even when cold out.

Hope this helps. It has made my life easier.

 

[Mlarv]

Also: Bronco cannot be started remotely when hood is not completely closed., so I have to go every time, unhook the block heater, close hood, then start engine for warm-up ... which is important in the winter.
Thanks

this is most likely one of reasons. If you remote start then walk out get in and take off without unplugging it.

I don’t have the block heater, but why not put a good 5 foot 14 or better yet 12 gage extension cord on it then zip tie it up under the second O in the Bronco. There looks to be plenty of room there. Get a weather proof cover for the plug.

 

[RSH]

It's a safety feature to make sure you don't try to drive off while the block heater is connected. Obviously you can connect a short extension cord and route it to an easily accessible location, though it's not recommended by Ford.

 

[BroncMan]

Here's what I have been doing:

I bought a 6 ft cold weather block heater cord and ran it (loosely) from the heater plug to the passenger side front and through the drain.

When I am not using it, it is coiled up underneath the tremendous gap under the rear of the hood, passenger side.

When I need to plug in, I uncoil and put a shammy (not pictured) between the finish and the cord and plug, and plug in the cable from my home outlet.

When I am ready to drive, I coil it back up and stuff in an old sock cut in half so there is no chance of anything unravelling...primitive but it works.

I should also mention that I use a $15 Canadian Tire windshield cover to keep snow out of the hood space. I personally think that the ability to get this cord out is the only redeeming feature of the huge gap.

When I need it, I run the heater for 5-6 hours prior to driving if it's below -8C. It's on a timer from my home outlet. The heater does make a difference if run long enough. You may not notice the first few cranks but you should find the idle drops fairly quickly even when cold out.

Hope this helps. It has made my life easier.

Thanks for the tip, Andy
I'll definitely try this. Never thought of going backwards towards the windshield. My mechanic even took off the front grill and could not find an opening to rout the cord. Especially since the grill has moving flaps. I have the Bronco in a garage/shelter ... so not need for the cover. But I'll look for one of these plastic plug covers or a cord that comes with on, to keep the prongs from icing up.

Cheers

 

[Foghorn]

Thanks for the tip, Andy
I'll definitely try this. Never thought of going backwards towards the windshield. My mechanic even took off the front grill and could not find an opening to rout the cord. Especially since the grill has moving flaps. I have the Bronco in a garage/shelter ... so not need for the cover. But I'll look for one of these plastic plug covers or a cord that comes with on, to keep the prongs from icing up.

Cheers

I also routed the cord as Andy suggested. The sock is a good idea. My previous car had a much smaller opening for the wipers. And even that would get full of ice that was impossible to remove.
My BS is outside today, getting covered in snow, but I filled the wiper gap with two pieces of bubble wrap about 30 in long, rolled about 3 in in diameter. When it stops snowing I should be able to pull the bubble wrap out and take most of the ice and snow with it.

 

[Vinny_D]

Here's what I have been doing:

I bought a 6 ft cold weather block heater cord and ran it (loosely) from the heater plug to the passenger side front and through the drain.

When I am not using it, it is coiled up underneath the tremendous gap under the rear of the hood, passenger side.

When I need to plug in, I uncoil and put a shammy (not pictured) between the finish and the cord and plug, and plug in the cable from my home outlet.

When I am ready to drive, I coil it back up and stuff in an old sock cut in half so there is no chance of anything unravelling...primitive but it works.

I should also mention that I use a $15 Canadian Tire windshield cover to keep snow out of the hood space. I personally think that the ability to get this cord out is the only redeeming feature of the huge gap.

When I need it, I run the heater for 5-6 hours prior to driving if it's below -8C. It's on a timer from my home outlet. The heater does make a difference if run long enough. You may not notice the first few cranks but you should find the idle drops fairly quickly even when cold out.

Hope this helps. It has made my life easier.

Here's what I have been doing:

I bought a 6 ft cold weather block heater cord and ran it (loosely) from the heater plug to the passenger side front and through the drain.

When I am not using it, it is coiled up underneath the tremendous gap under the rear of the hood, passenger side.

When I need to plug in, I uncoil and put a shammy (not pictured) between the finish and the cord and plug, and plug in the cable from my home outlet.

When I am ready to drive, I coil it back up and stuff in an old sock cut in half so there is no chance of anything unravelling...primitive but it works.

I should also mention that I use a $15 Canadian Tire windshield cover to keep snow out of the hood space. I personally think that the ability to get this cord out is the only redeeming feature of the huge gap.

When I need it, I run the heater for 5-6 hours prior to driving if it's below -8C. It's on a timer from my home outlet. The heater does make a difference if run long enough. You may not notice the first few cranks but you should find the idle drops fairly quickly even when cold out.

Hope this helps. It has made my life easier.

This is an awesome post I was looking at using the drain too just was scared to try! Thanks for the post

 

[Xjeeper]

i added 2ft extensions, a dual permanent plug into bumper so it connect the block heater and a battery tender

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