Generator Block Heater
Generator Block Heater
TUV, FCC, RoHS and CE compliant
In-built thermostat
Compact design and rapid heating
Warm Start your truck in cold winter
10 block heater patents
VVKB Generator Block Heaters heat the coolant liquid in generators for smooth and instant start. The in-built thermostat automatically turns it ON/OFF, depending on the weather conditions.
With the progressive upgrade in technology, the VVKB Generator Block Heater protects generators from condensation, producing excess CO2 and wear due to cold starting the engine. Furthermore, these block heaters for generators ensure faster starting of the engine while reducing fuel consumption.
As a premier diesel generator coolant heater manufacturer, VVKB produces fuel efficient, easy to install and compact generator heaters for rapid and consistent heating.
Forget all the unnecessary downtimes due to power outage in both residential and commercial standby generators caused by freezing cold weather. The VVK Generator Block Heater will maintain suitable generator temperature for automatic changeover during power blackout.
Why you choose Vvkb heater?
- FCC, RoHS and CE compliant
- In-built thermostat
- Warm Start your truck in cold winter
- 10 patents on VVKB block heaters
- 10 block heater patents
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Generator Block Heater A Helpful Guide for Importers
An effective way of ensuring your generator starts and run efficiently is by keeping the engine system warm.
One of the common ways of doing this is by installing a block heater in your generator.
I have come up with this simple guide that will help you when it comes to picking a block heater for your generator.
This includes how to install a block heater on your generator as well as the different types of generator block heaters.
Let’s get straight to it.
What is a Generator Block Heater?
Block heater forms an important part of generators when it comes to marinating starting temperature.
An effective generator needs to start and be at maximum operation within 10 seconds.
For this to happen, you need to maintain your coolant at 100 to 200 degree Celsius.
Having a generator block heater in your generator can help you achieve this.
It basically helps to maintain the right temperature to operate the generator.
Why you need a Generator Block Heater
You might be asking yourself why you need a block heater for your generator.
Well, there is a lot of reasons for having one.
They include:
· To add reliability to the generator system
A generator block heater adds reliability to your generator system by preheating and maintaining the temperature of the water jacket coolant.
This reduces your generator startup cycle.
· Reduces maintenance cost
You see when you install a block heater on your generator, it warms the coolant thereby maintain a given temperature for your generator.
This enables the lubrication of your generator parts.
The advantage here is that your generator does not wear out quickly hence reduces your maintenance cost.
· Reduces fuel cost
In most instances, if your generator does not have a block heater, you are likely to keep it running so as to avoid the fuel cooling.
This will increase your fuel consumption and in turn your cost.
To prevent this, you can have a block heater on your generator which will maintain a given temperature for the fuel.
You can, therefore, start your engine and switch off after use.
· Reduces carbon dioxide emission
One of the advantages of a block heater is that it protects the environment by reducing the carbon emission.
This is because when you are not using the generator, you can switch it off and also it reduces the startup time for your generator.
You are able to then reduce the carbon emission by using few fuels.
· Saves up on time
If you are a business person, then you understand what a minute can do for your business.
Time is lost when you start a generator that lacks a block heater.
The reason is that the coolant needs to warm up before the generator starts up.
To prevent this, you can install a block heater on your generator.
A block heater will maintain a given temperature on your generator hence it will reduce the time it takes for you to start your engine.
· Helps in reducing the risks of water condensation inside the engine pump of your generator
By keeping the engine of your generator warmer, you reduce the chances of water accumulating on the engine pump.
Accumulating water may result in malfunction of your generator block heater.
Types of Generator Block Heater in the Industry
There are different types of generator block heaters that you can install on your generator.
The choice of which heater to choose will depend on the working conditions as well as the cost of purchasing one.
Here is a look at the different types of block heaters that you can install on your generators:
· Radiator- hose heater
A radiator –hose heater is a type of generator heater that you can fit at the bottom of your generator.
The coolant in this kind of heater circulates via thermal convention.
The main limitation of this kind of heater is that it has low watts and also has a few hose sizes.
As such, you cannot use this block heater to preheat large generator engines.
Mainly you can use this block heater for standby generators above 15kW.
· Freeze plug heater
Another type of block heater that you can install on your generator is the freeze plug heater.
You can fit this kind of heater in the engine block of your generator by the use of a freeze plug hole.
This holes are normally on the cylinder and protrude right into the coolant chamber.
The purpose of this kind of block heater is to circulate the warm coolant around the engine block by use of siphoning action.
The limitation you have with this kind of block heater is that the coolant may leak due to poor installation.
You need to ensure that you have properly installed to minimize leakage.
· Tank- style heaters
You can install a tank style heater at the bottom of your engine frame and connect to the coolant circuit of your generator.
The heater is connected to a source of power through a power cord.
Tank- style heaters come in different sizes ranging from 500 to 5000 watts.
The choice of which heater to use will depend on the ambient temperature around the site as well as the displacement of your engine.
These heaters circulate coolant around the engine and you can adjust the temperature by using a thermostat.
There are some tank –style heaters that have an automatic control timer that regulates the temperature of the heater.
With these heaters, they are automatically switched off once the oil pressure sensor initiates the start cycle.
You can use these heaters on larger generators where the circulation of the coolant is by a circulation pump.
Main Parts of a Generator Block Heater
For you to understand a generator block heater, you need to understand its main components.
The importance of this is that it will help you understand how it works and which part to repair when the need arises.
1. Connecting Hose
Connecting hose is vital when it comes to the circulation of the coolant.
It is this coolant that distributes heat through the engine.
The connecting hose is a channel through which the coolant circulates.
2. Mounting bracket
You can use a mounting bracket to install the generator block heater firmly in place.
3. Thermostat
The function of the thermostat is to control the temperature of the heater so that the coolant is at a constant temperature.
4. Heating element
The heating element converts the electric energy to heat energy that is required in the block heater.
This is made possible through Joule heating.
5. Bleed screw
For the heater to function properly, you will need to remove air from the system.
The bleed screw helps in achieving this.
The bleed screw has an opening which allows for the flow of the coolant into the combustion chamber.
This increases the fluid pressure and there is displacement of air that exits through the opening of the bleed screw.
6. Solenoid valve
The control of the opening and closing of the valves is done by the solenoid valve.
This valve function by the use of electric current to produce a magnetic field.
The magnetic field then controls the opening and closing of the valves to allow for the flow of the coolant.
7. Coupler
The coupler allows for the smooth flow of the coolant from the heater to the generator which allows for a constant temperature.
It does this by connecting the block heater to the generator.
8. Electronic ignition coil
The electric ignition coil functions by transforming the electric current into an electric spark that is needed by the block heater.
It is this electric spark that heats up the coolant.
9. Flame detection photocell
A flame detection photocell helps in detecting any heat that might cause a fire on your generator.
The heater may become too hit that a flame may occur.
To minimize this, a flame detection photocell detects and warns early enough.
10. Heat exchanger
The heat exchanger allows for the transfer of the heat on the coolant to another medium such as the heating system as it flows.
How a Generator Block Heater Works
You cannot buy a generator block heater if you don’t know how it works.
So, it is important that you get to know how the generator block heater works.
In general, a block heater works in a simple way as I have illustrated for you here.
Have a look.
Depending on which type of heater you are using, the basic idea is to warm up your generator.
By doing so, you save the time it would have taken you to start your generator as well as the fuel.
The main element of your generator heater is the heating element that heats up the coolant.
Once it heats up, the coolant circulates throughout the engine of your generator.
There are two ways through which the engine remains warm at a given temperature.
The first one is when the coolant is heated first then allowed to circulate throughout the engine coolant system.
What happens here is that the coolant is collected first in the heating chamber then heated before being allowed to circulate.
This method is common if the block heater is automated.
The other way through which your engine maintains a given temperature is by continuously heating the coolant as it circulates around the engine coolant system.
This method of heating will require you to regularly monitor the temperature to avoid overheating.
The coolant is able to circulate through the generator block heater by the use of thermosiphon.
To have the maximum efficiency of your generator block heater, you need to constantly regularly maintain the heater.
Also, you need to take care not to use tap water when mixing your coolant.
The effect of using tap water is that your heater will be eaten away hence limiting the functioning of your generator block heater.
How to Install a Block Heater on a Generator
One of the questions that you need to ask is how do you install a block heater on a generator and if you can do it by yourself.
The good news is that the installation process is quite simple and it does not need a professional to install.
Here is how you can install a block heater on your generator.
The first step you can take is to remove the coolant from the engine radiator.
You can achieve this by running a hose from the radiator to a bucket and opening the drain valve to allow for the flow.
Ensure that you have drained all the coolant before you start the installation process.
Also, you can disconnect the power supply of the generator so as to have a conducive environment to work on your generator.
Select a space on the radiator hose where you want to install the engine block and cut it out.
Remember that you need to install the heater in an upright position.
Once you have cut the outer space, you can go ahead and fix your block heater.
You need to tighten the engine block heater using clamps to prevent any leakage.
A point to note is that the engine block heaters come in different watts.
This means you need to be careful which one you choose for your generator.
Once all is done, you can connect the block engine heater to the source of energy which can be the battery of the generator.
Fix up the system as it were before and fill up the coolant on your engine.
If you want to remotely monitor the temperature of your generator engine, you can install a remote thermostat.
You can choose an engine port that is far away from the return port for this purpose.
To maximize efficiency, you need to note the following:
- Avoid mounting the block heater directly on the engine. The vibration caused by the engine may damage the heater.
- To maximize on the flow, always ensure that there are no high points on the cable. That is, ensure that the cable is not folded which creates air bubbles.
- To avoid chances of your heater no functioning, always ensure that there are no air bubbles in the system. You can do this by running the engine first before switching on your block heater.
- Place the heater return port on a higher point on the coolant system preferably on the rear end of the engine thermostat. The reason for this is to maximize on the heat distribution.
- The heater supply port needs to be located at the lowest point on the coolant system and far from the return port. This will allow maximum heating of the coolant.
- Ensure that you use the correct hoses for the connection of your heater. Using hoses that are too small will decrease the efficiency of the block heater which can result in a shorter lifespan. Your manual should recommend the right hose size.
- Avoid the use of tap water when mixing the coolant.
VVKB generator block heater- Your Trusted Generator Block Heater Manufacturer
VVKB is the leading manufacturer, supplier and solution provider of generator block heaters globally.
We have been in the industry for more than 20 years which is enough time to understand the individual needs of our clients.
Our generator block heaters have been designed to effectively minimize fuel consumption while providing an efficient temperature for your generator.
To ensure standard compliance, we are certified by internationally recognized bodies such as CE and TUV.
In case you want to buy a spare part for your generator block heater, you need not look further.
This is because we offer quality and original spare parts that you can install on your block heater for efficient performance.
And what’s more is that you don’t have to worry about the prices of our generator block heaters.
We offer competitive prices that will fit your pocket.
Get in touch with us today and enjoy our generator block heaters.
Conclusion
This guide has taken you through what you need to know when it comes to a generator block heater.
As you can see, having a block heater in your generator can cut cost as well as increase its performance.
The good thing is that you need not to be a professional for you to install one on your generator.
By following the manual and having basic knowledge, you can easily install it on your generator.
For quality and reliable generator block heaters, you can always choose VVKB.