P500 Engine Block Heater for P5

[RoadGator916]

I'm wondering if anyone has installed an Engine Block Heater on your P5? Or is there some sort of alternative you can install and plug in to assist the machine with starting when the temps get real cold. Reason I am asking is we use our P5 for ice fishing and some days the weather gets very cold and I would prefer not to get stranded out on the ice. I usually have my Honda 2000 generator with and could plug in a engine block heater or some other equivalent if anyone knows of something we could use. Thanks in advance for the help. BTW I tried the search and didn't locate anything. Doesn't mean there wasn't something there I just didn't locate it.

 

[Admin]

 

[Mudder]

Saw references to Thermco circulators for radiators in ATV forums. Just one example of another brand.

ATV Block Heater, Block Engine Warmer for ATV -VVKB

www.vvkb.com

 

[Vikes79]

Here’s another alternative

Engine Heaters, Electric Heaters and more

THIS DOMAIN IS FOR SALE. Please contact [email protected] if you're interested in purchasing. All these heaters are available for a variety of uses. Use on cars, trucks, diesel vehicles, ATV's and more.

katsblockheater.com

 

[BigMac]

I'm wondering if anyone has installed an Engine Block Heater on your P5? Or is there some sort of alternative you can install and plug in to assist the machine with starting when the temps get real cold. Reason I am asking is we use our P5 for ice fishing and some days the weather gets very cold and I would prefer not to get stranded out on the ice. I usually have my Honda 2000 generator with and could plug in a engine block heater or some other equivalent if anyone knows of something we could use. Thanks in advance for the help. BTW I tried the search and didn't locate anything. Doesn't mean there wasn't something there I just didn't locate it.

I use a patch that is glued on base of oil pan on my lycoming engine. Looked at Honda engine did not seem to-have a place to glue one. Works great as preheated if you can figure out where to place it. Sportys may have one suggest small one. Let me know if you find spot or one you like. AAmazon has listed some hot pad or pan heater. Only need about 50 watts.

 

[hallic]

If you're looking into add-on engine block heaters because of super cold weather out on the ice, I'd also look into battery blankets/heaters. Not sure if it'd be needed, as you mentioned having a generator, worse case you could just jump start it if the battery dies.

As an alternative, anybody have an idea how much gas a p500 uses at idle for a couple hours?

 

[Splorin]

Old school incandescent droplight.....don't let the gubmint know you have one.

 

[CamoP500]

My thought is when it comes to ice fishing I’ve never had an issue on my 4 stroke Atvs or snowmobiles starting Usually they aren’t shut down for more than a couple hours before you move or quit. And if longer you can always start it up once an hour and let it idle for a few minutes to keep motor warm. Now if you are staying out on the ice overnight that’s a different story. I’m up on the Minnesota Canadian border so we deal with lots of cold.

 

[Smitty335]

My thought is when it comes to ice fishing I’ve never had an issue on my 4 stroke Atvs or snowmobiles starting Usually they aren’t shut down for more than a couple hours before you move or quit. And if longer you can always start it up once an hour and let it idle for a few minutes to keep motor warm. Now if you are staying out on the ice overnight that’s a different story. I’m up on the Minnesota Canadian border so we deal with lots of cold.

Vermilon Bay? Been through there several times, fished Eagle Lake a couple of times, usually ended up north on Cedar or Cliff lakes.

 

[CamoP500]

I actually live on Lake Vermilion in NE MN. But do lots of fishing in the Atikoken ONT area. Always by snowmobile up there in the wintew, but use the wheelers for early season on Lake Vermilion

 

[Smitty335]

Is

I actually live on Lake Vermilion in NE MN. But do lots of fishing in the Atikoken ONT area. Always by snowmobile up there in the wintew, but use the wheelers for early season on Lake Vermilion

Vermilion Bay on Lake Vermilion?

 

[CamoP500]

Nope no Vermilion Bay on Lake Vermilion. Lake Vermilion is in NE MN.

 

[906UP]

My P5 has started at -25f after sitting for weeks, I doubt a engine heater is really necessary. Just make sure the battery is in good condition.

 

[mj1angier]

Well, I am in NC, so not something I have to deal with here, lol.

But would a magnetic block heater work?/

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/zerostart-5348/accessories-16449/winter-accessories-16523/magnetic-block-heaters-17932/966f4c3a3b89/zerostart-magnetic-heater/3400017/4871386?pos=0

 

[CamoP500]

They all work to some extent but the ones that are inline with radiator hose work the best. Get convection and the coolant will actually circulate and warm the whole engine. Standard equipment on vehicles up here. We get lots of -30 to -45f temps so cold starts are an issue. Personally once it’s -10 f or colder I pass on the ice fishing. Above that I’ve never had an issue on my wheelers even after sitting overnight but I can’t speak to my P500 since I just got
It in July. But it will be parked for the snowmobiles soon so I probably won’t find out. Atv utvs are too slow in the snow particularly once it’s more than 12” deep. They make snowmobiles for a reason.

 

[Sourdough]

Just to add to what Big Mac had to say....I too had one one my plane, so sweet. But I also put one on my 1000-5. I had to remove some material with a die grinder to make a flat spot so as to be able to glue it on. These heaters are available according to the oil capacity of the engine and will not overheat. AS well, the heated oil radiates up to warm the entire engine..I'm sure there are other ways of doing the same thing, but this was my solution. A cold battery, takes a long time to regain its power and because of where the batt. is located, it does not warm easily..I usually shut down my trapping activities after -30C. and am normally on the sled by that time but there are times when the snow is not there in larger amts..

 

[Smitty335]

Just to add to what Big Mac had to say....I too had one one my plane, so sweet. But I also put one on my 1000-5. I had to remove some material with a die grinder to make a flat spot so as to be able to glue it on. These heaters are available according to the oil capacity of the engine and will not overheat. AS well, the heated oil radiates up to warm the entire engine..I'm sure there are other ways of doing the same thing, but this was my solution. A cold battery, takes a long time to regain its power and because of where the batt. is located, it does not warm easily..I usually shut down my trapping activities after -30C. and am normally on the sled by that time but there are times when the snow is not there in larger amts..

What do you trap?

 

[papermaker]

When it got well below zero, I would put this on my oil pan on my pickup, it started easily. If they still make these and you can find a place to put it, I think it would work.

 

[JWB]

Unfortunately, magnets don't work on an aluminum engine....

 

[Mudder]

Unfortunately, magnets don't work on an aluminum engine....

But some have adhesive attachment.

 

[Sourdough]

What do you trap?

On my line, there is everything from weasel to bear but I only trap what is saleable thru the fur auction houses
Sorry, I did not mean to hijack this thread. Was thinking that my reply might just go to the one asking the question
but saw it here, so I came back to edit and apologize...Sorry guys, will know better next time