Was looking for info on a Dodge grid heater to install on my 730 Case. This guy has it spelled out in detail. It would be easy to install on most any tractor. A used grid heater off of Ebay is $60-$80. A bit if fabricating, solenoid and some wire.
Inexpensive alternative to glow plugs
- Thread starter D2Cat
- Start date
Well, there is always the Romanian cold start method 
Fast forward to 3:15 in the Youtube video:
Rodger
Fast forward to 3:15 in the Youtube video: Rodger
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Anyone know how many amps those 'air intake heaters' draw ? The one on my forklift pulled 50 amps, had to have a 2nd battery, cause it'd drain the 1st battery to where starter didn't spin fast enough for the engine to start.
I KNOW you need to heat a LOT of air compared to using glow plugs'.
What's the cost of 3 (4 ?) glowplugs compared to a new grid heater ?
I KNOW you need to heat a LOT of air compared to using glow plugs'.
What's the cost of 3 (4 ?) glowplugs compared to a new grid heater ?
Pretty sure D2 wouldn’t be looking to add a starting aid to a tractor if it already had one he could repair
the powerstroke 7.3's used intake heaters in conjunction with the 8 glow plugs.
the glow plugs aid in cold starting. The intake heater is on for a while after it starts. Helps reduce exhaust smoke on a cold start. That is it's only function.
i have one (2003). it starts fine to about 7 below zero. That's as cold as I've started it. Glow it til light goes out, crank, it fires and it goes into fast idle; intake heater (aka toaster) stays on for a while. Glow plugs do too, but usually a few seconds and the toaster stays on for a good while afterwards. I don't know how long. I tested it at roughly 30 seconds and it was still powered.
downside to grid heaters is oil vapors from pcv can foul them, but the cummins guys don't seem to have the issue-or not that I've "heard of" anyway. I think a lot of those guys just forget that they have an engine and are in constant need of fixing the truck more than the engine. I did one today. 36,000 miles on a 21 Ram 2500 6.7L, front end is falling apart. 2 upper ball joints SHOT. bumper mounts falling off. I "think" the entire front crossmember is loose as it clunks terribly in a turn. Ain't looked at it yet. Tie rod is loose. And it needs brakes. They bought it new. It has a 6.7L engine and I assume it's fine, it runs/drives and the engine moves it along ok but the rest of the truck is absolute garbage with so few miles. The cab mounts are plastic. Appears to be PVC. Stock.
the glow plugs aid in cold starting. The intake heater is on for a while after it starts. Helps reduce exhaust smoke on a cold start. That is it's only function.
i have one (2003). it starts fine to about 7 below zero. That's as cold as I've started it. Glow it til light goes out, crank, it fires and it goes into fast idle; intake heater (aka toaster) stays on for a while. Glow plugs do too, but usually a few seconds and the toaster stays on for a good while afterwards. I don't know how long. I tested it at roughly 30 seconds and it was still powered.
downside to grid heaters is oil vapors from pcv can foul them, but the cummins guys don't seem to have the issue-or not that I've "heard of" anyway. I think a lot of those guys just forget that they have an engine and are in constant need of fixing the truck more than the engine. I did one today. 36,000 miles on a 21 Ram 2500 6.7L, front end is falling apart. 2 upper ball joints SHOT. bumper mounts falling off. I "think" the entire front crossmember is loose as it clunks terribly in a turn. Ain't looked at it yet. Tie rod is loose. And it needs brakes. They bought it new. It has a 6.7L engine and I assume it's fine, it runs/drives and the engine moves it along ok but the rest of the truck is absolute garbage with so few miles. The cab mounts are plastic. Appears to be PVC. Stock.
My Lister Petter 4-cylinder diesel generator has both glow plugs and an intake heater, along with a block heater. I rarely use the block heater because I never know when the power is going to fail, but if we get minor blips in the power, then I will plug in the block heater for an hour or so.
Tractors from the 1950 and 1960 used a THERMOSTART.
An electric element which had a small amount of diesel dripped unto the red hot element and a fire started inside the intake manifold.
at this point you cranked the engine which inhaled the flames.
here is a youtube video.
Thermostart
Another showing a Thermostart on a Perkins diesel.
Perkins
My neighbour has a John Deere with this feature and he also has a SAME, an Italian tractor with it too. It has a 5 cylinder air cooled Deutz engine.
Dave
An electric element which had a small amount of diesel dripped unto the red hot element and a fire started inside the intake manifold.
at this point you cranked the engine which inhaled the flames.
here is a youtube video.
Thermostart
Another showing a Thermostart on a Perkins diesel.
Perkins
My neighbour has a John Deere with this feature and he also has a SAME, an Italian tractor with it too. It has a 5 cylinder air cooled Deutz engine.
Dave