Magnetic oil pan heater doesn't work?

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Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The Genesis Coupe in Canada has a 400w block heater. Maybe it will fit? Fit's Kias too.

Here's the Hyundai part number. 008AM-00006


SHOZ, thanks, I suppose anything is possible, but I have a USA Sonata, so if the Canadian Sonata block heater won't fit my car, I'd be very surprised if the Canadian Genesis heater would fit my Sonata.

Somewhere buried here on this forum is my experience, but the short of it is that a friend in Canada sent me the part from his local dealer. My Chicago dealer agreed to give the installation a shot, but when they tried it was revealed that the hole in the block (actually, the head) in which the heater is supposed to fit in has a small factory notch in the metal that prevents the heater from being inserted. I saw this with my own eyes and it is unmistakeable.

It is obviously very deliberate and I am amazed Hyundai would take the effort to block a USA Sonata owner from installing an OEM engine heater. What could be the harm?

My car is now 3.5 years old and I checked as recently as last month to see if Hyundai has released a heater for my model, but the answer remains "no."

Then again, I'm still waiting for them to release a cable for my iPhone 5, one of the most popular cell phones in existence, so I'm not holding my breath about any heater.
 
Originally Posted By: Number21
Can we get back to the question I asked? This isn't a discussion about oil pan heaters. It's about why my oil pan heater does not work. Am I the only one with a magnetic heater? This thread has nothing to do with my oil temperatures or outside temperatures. I should be able to use the oil heater in the summer after a long drive and it should still heat up.

Anybody know how to contact Kat's besides the email address on their website they don't answer?


Sheesh, Number 21, it's not like the thread has drifted to topics of space exploration or healthy eating. This is pretty normal conversation. If no further specific answer has come forth yet about your specific question, it's probably because no one has anything additional to contribute. It's not like anyone is being suppressed from replying. Maybe no one knows right now. Hopefully someone new to the thread will eventually spot it and give you your specific answer. Have you posed the question on a Powerstroke forum? Maybe that would be a good resource, because you are also speculating that a 900-watt heater won't do much for your engine. Maybe the guys on that forum could affirm or negate that.

As for how to reach Kat's, I found this with a five-second Google search. This company makes the Kat's line and their phone number and postal address are right at the bottom of the page:

http://www.fivestarmanufacturing.com/About_Us
 
Well, I stuck it to a trailer hitch, in the freezer. Same thing. 184 watts for second or two, then back off. If I leave it plugged in for a while the plastic on the heater gets warm and I smell a "new electronic item" smell, but the hitch does not get warm.

I can't believe two in a row don't work. At least Amazon has really good returns!


Originally Posted By: KlooksKleek

Sheesh, Number 21, it's not like the thread has drifted to topics of space exploration or healthy eating.

Actually, it was drifting pretty far off topic. I'm not here to discuss the pros and cons of block heaters. People only answer the last few questions in threads, my original question was long over. People are talking about Canadian Hyundais! I'm just surprised that on an oil forum I seem to be the only person who owns a magnetic oil pan heater....

Also, you are hijacking my thread above. That is another forum no-no.

Originally Posted By: KlooksKleek

As for how to reach Kat's, I found this with a five-second Google search. This company makes the Kat's line and their phone number and postal address are right at the bottom of the page:

You don't think that might have been where I got their email address?
 
Originally Posted By: Number21

Anybody know how to contact Kats besides the email address on their website they don't answer?


Five Star Manufacturing
1004 Central Ave. W
Springfield, TN 37172-2787

Phone: (615)382-5099
Toll Free: (888) 872-7278
Fax: (800) 793-4806
E-Mail: [email protected]
 
Does anybody besides Kats make a magnetic heater like this? The more I think about it the more uses I can find for the magnetic type. Google doesnt come up with any other manufacturers.
 
I think you're expecting too much from a 200 watt heater....it might help to keep the engine oil warm if you were to turn it on once the engine oil is already hot (like after a run) but no doubt it would take hours and hours to begin to heat up 15 qts of cold engine oil.

It appears this particular heater is more for small engines and several of the references note small machinery use, i.e. on a log splitter hydraulic tank, Cub Cadet and several tractors which may mean lawn tractors.
 
Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
but no doubt it would take hours and hours to begin to heat up 15 qts of cold engine oil.

The problem is it wont even begin to heat it. It seems to be the energy saver model. The way my oil pan is shaped I was thinking two would be good, but two times zero is still zero...
 
Originally Posted By: Number21


Can we get back to the question I asked? This isn't a discussion about oil pan heaters. It's about why my oil pan heater does not work. Am I the only one with a magnetic heater? This thread has nothing to do with my oil temperatures or outside temperatures. I should be able to use the oil heater in the summer after a long drive and it should still heat up.


I tried using a magnetic stick on heater years ago, and ran into the same issues. My theory on why the heater didn't work, is that there was no direct contact between the heating element and the oil pan. The magnets around the perimeter didn't pull the heater in far enough to touch the oil pan. Since there was an air gap, very little heat was transferred from the heater to oil pan. Without any significant heat transfer the heater would just quickly heat up to whatever temp it was set to cut out at, and cycle on and off.

I ended up buying a wolverine heater, and it worked very well in tandem with my block heater. https://www.wolverineheater.com/category-s/1477.htm


Carl

Carl
 
Originally Posted By: Number21
You don't think that might have been where I got their email address?


Huh? You asked how else Kat's could be contacted since they supposedly do not answer their emails, so I provided you with a link that shows the additional contact information you requested, which is their phone number and their postal mailing address.

You then tell me "You don't think that might have been where I got their email address?"

OK. Whatever. Just trying to help. Good luck.
 
Heat will kill a magnet so they probably don't want it getting too hot. Sounds like a 200 w heater is a boy doing a man's job for 15 quarts of oil.

What weight oil are you using?

You could try insulating the sides of the oil pan too.
 
The Wolverine heater you were provided a link to looks like it would better suit what you're trying to do....take note of the wattage they recommend for an oil capacity that you're trying to heat.

It appears to me that people in here are trying to help you but maybe you should just wait until Kat's tells you you're using a heater that's too small for the job.
 
Huie83 just gave you the best idea if you can afford it.....we use ProHeat X45 diesel-fired heaters on all of our fleet (Espar and Webasto are the same basic idea).

The diesel-fired heaters heat your engine up to temp in no time and we're heating C18 Cats up to 180'F in one hour at 25'F. My only issue is swallowing the $1500 price tag. Maybe the Espar is smaller and less expensive?
 
Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
It appears to me that people in here are trying to help you but maybe you should just wait until Kat's tells you you're using a heater that's too small for the job.


And it appears to me that only a couple people are listening when I tell them the size of the heater and my oil pan have NOTHING to do with the question I am asking! It wouldn't heat up the oil pan on a weed wacker! I should have never posted my engine size or temps...

I appreciate those trying to help, but come on, read the my posts before you reply and stay on topic! That is just common forum courtesy.
 
My point was simply you don't NEED an oil pan heater for your location/engine.

The manufacturer is going to be your best resource, the only thing I can add is you have to make sure the heater is in good contact with what you are trying to heat, if not the thermostat will kick on/off as you are describing.
 
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Heat will kill a magnet so they probably don't want it getting too hot.

I think this is the best theory I've heard. It cycles quickly because it's just not transferring heat to the oil pan that efficiently, and the thermostat set point is low so as not to damage the magnet. Maybe try returning the Kats unit and try out one of the Wolverine ones?
 
Originally Posted By: Number21
Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
It appears to me that people in here are trying to help you but maybe you should just wait until Kat's tells you you're using a heater that's too small for the job.


And it appears to me that only a couple people are listening when I tell them the size of the heater and my oil pan have NOTHING to do with the question I am asking! It wouldn't heat up the oil pan on a weed wacker! I should have never posted my engine size or temps...

I appreciate those trying to help, but come on, read the my posts before you reply and stay on topic! That is just common forum courtesy.


I read your whole thread, I just don't think a magnetic heater works very well. I tried one before installing a stick on type to two of my cars, much better now. in MN during -25 degree nights the magnetic didn't really do anything. The stick on's raised the oil temp pretty good, warm to the touch. The engine its self didn't really warm up though.

With the magnetic type there is nothing to really transfer the heat. The heater it's self may be getting up to it's max temp resulting in the on/off operation you are describing. However, that doesn't mean it's transferring the heat to the surrounding metal.

On the stick on type you have to scrub any paint/grime/corrosion off the pain and surrounding area. Then you stick it on and epoxy the edges to seal the unit. it has direct metal on metal contact.

The diesel fired pre heaters are even better as they CIRCULATE hot coolant through the engine until it's up to around 180 degrees. From what I read the smaller units are about $1000 installed.

Hope that helps a bit more with my experiences.
 
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