Using an automobile for electrical power
#3
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,337
From: Northern & Central Illinois
What's an engine heater?
#4
Tech Champion

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,341
I assume he's referring to an engine heater for a nitro engine, to make it easier and quicker to start and warm up?
+1 on being careful on how far you run down an auto battery, modern ones don't like it much. May not be that bad if you only run nitro, but if using much power it's better to get a good sized marine/deep discharge battery. (Or go big and get a generator of course).
+1 on being careful on how far you run down an auto battery, modern ones don't like it much. May not be that bad if you only run nitro, but if using much power it's better to get a good sized marine/deep discharge battery. (Or go big and get a generator of course).
#5
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,337
From: Northern & Central Illinois
I assume he's referring to an engine heater for a nitro engine, to make it easier and quicker to start and warm up?
+1 on being careful on how far you run down an auto battery, modern ones don't like it much. May not be that bad if you only run nitro, but if using much power it's better to get a good sized marine/deep discharge battery. (Or go big and get a generator of course).
+1 on being careful on how far you run down an auto battery, modern ones don't like it much. May not be that bad if you only run nitro, but if using much power it's better to get a good sized marine/deep discharge battery. (Or go big and get a generator of course).
We've been using cars to charge our batteries for many, many years. Just start the auto's engine to keep the battery topped off.
#7
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,337
From: Northern & Central Illinois
I believe the OP just wants to know if he can pop open the hood of his car and connect a charger to the car battery. Yes he can.
I used to carry a deep discharge marine battery to the field back in the 1980s, that thing weighed in at about 50 pounds. Now I just pop the hood, clip onto the battery and charge, I can get two runs off a LiPo so I just run the charger once and it doesn't affect the battery that much.
I used to carry a deep discharge marine battery to the field back in the 1980s, that thing weighed in at about 50 pounds. Now I just pop the hood, clip onto the battery and charge, I can get two runs off a LiPo so I just run the charger once and it doesn't affect the battery that much.
#8
Thread Starter
Tech Adept
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 244
Yes, i was refering to a nitro engine heater. they are used to get the engine components warm prior trying to start. From what I have been told the greatly increase the reliability of the engine.
anyhow, thanks for the replies. I was hoping to get away without buying a 12v engine heater.
anyhow, thanks for the replies. I was hoping to get away without buying a 12v engine heater.
#9
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,337
From: Northern & Central Illinois
Yes, i was refering to a nitro engine heater. they are used to get the engine components warm prior trying to start. From what I have been told the greatly increase the reliability of the engine.
anyhow, thanks for the replies. I was hoping to get away without buying a 12v engine heater.
anyhow, thanks for the replies. I was hoping to get away without buying a 12v engine heater.
Last edited by AreCee; 03-05-2014 at 08:41 AM.
#10
Thread Starter
Tech Adept
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 244
i have been told by several experienced racers that it is always a goid idea to get heat in the engine prior to starting, no matter the age.
#11
Resistance heaters draw a lot of juice. Charging off the car battery was normal for many/most of us so only minor caution there. But that heater would kill a battery pretty quick even a second deep cycle. Been there. Inverters as well. Heaters just suck watts.
Edit: Obvious question. How many watts does the heater you want to use draw ?
Edit: Obvious question. How many watts does the heater you want to use draw ?
#12
Thread Starter
Tech Adept
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 244
Resistance heaters draw a lot of juice. Charging off the car battery was normal for many/most of us so only minor caution there. But that heater would kill a battery pretty quick even a second deep cycle. Been there. Inverters as well. Heaters just suck watts.
Edit: Obvious question. How many watts does the heater you want to use draw ?
Edit: Obvious question. How many watts does the heater you want to use draw ?



