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Posted by ToddW [99.151.39.122] on Friday, November 09, 2012 at 12:37:15 :
In Reply to: Cummins ECM & grid heater? posted by Don in Missouri [69.69.205.226] on Friday, November 09, 2012 at 09:22:57 :
I would say it depends on the condition of the engine and weather as to how bad you really "need" them. My JD tractor was very grumpy to start in the winter if you didnt hit the intake heater before starting and even then it was all the starting system could do to get it to hit and go. It was a fresh engine. My old Chevy 6.2 was wore out and wouldnt start in July if it didnt get a shot of Glow Plug at start up. It automatically did this no matter what the temp. The controller went out of it one time and thats how I found out about no start in July.
My 2005 Dodge I havent owned long enough to see what it does in cold winter but the few chilly days we have had in Kansas here I notice it cycling the grids every once in a while. I have been told its to help emissions but I would imagine the cycling also helps the cold engine run and burn all its fuel that it needs. Burning all the fuel I would imagine is a better then then letting some of the raw fuel work its magic on rings and walls or head out the exhaust.
On the boat does it pull cooling water out of the lake or have a radiator? If its pulling lake water I imagine they cycle like that to keep the engine burning all its fuel as its running below 1200rpms as it most certainly would cool down in a hurry with lake water I would think. Just a thought there........
Watch some cold start diesel engine videos on youtube. Them old semi trucks were a grizzly bear to get running.
Todd
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