12 Volt Tractor cab heater?

M Nut · Oct 25, 2009

Hi Guys,
I"m thinking this winter is going to be a cold one in MN, and I"d like to put a 12 volt heater in my tractor cab. It is an 886 I.H., so it has the factory heat, but it takes the engine so long to warm up, I"m usually about done feeding cattle when I finally start to get a little heat. I"d like something that will give instant heat so the cab can be warming up while I let the tractor motor warm up. Any recomendations on brands or where to purchase a heater like this? I could direct wire it to the battery or the lighter also works so if it was a plug in style that would be fine too.
Thanks

rustyfarmall · Oct 25, 2009

This is just a thought, but it seems like the last time I was browsing through the store at a truck stop, I noticed some of those small, ceramic heaters that would operate on 12 volts. Maybe I am dreaming?

KEB1 · Oct 25, 2009

The problem with 12 volt heaters is that they don't put out much heat. A typical 120 volt small room heater is on the order of 1,000 watts. 1,000 watts at 12 volts is about 85 amps...quite a load unless you've upgraded the alternator to a really heavy duty one.

Probably the simplest solution is to add a coolant/engine heater to the tractor so you start out with a warm engine. Would also make the tractor a lot easier to start when its really cold.

Another option would be an auxiliary propane or diesel powered heater, maybe something like an RV heater.

Keith

BCnT · Oct 25, 2009

maybe theyve gotten better but the one i had gave off the btu's of a single match.
have you tried blocking off airflow to your tractors radiator to get it warm faster?

Bob · Oct 25, 2009

I've seen a few around that plug into the cig lighter, but am a little skeptical about how much heat they'd make in a COLD tractor cab. The amperage draw is going to be the limiting factor.

Say you were able to find a 20 Amp unit...

20 Amps x 14 Volts (nominal) = 280 Watts X 3.41 BTU per Watt = 954.8 BTU's.

I think cab heater are typically in the 5000 - 8800 - 10000 BTU range so the electric heater is going to be a small portion of what a typical cab heater puts out. Might warm the toes a little, though!

Lou from Wi. · Oct 25, 2009

M.Nut. Before we got heat in the 706 (had it hooked wrong but got heat now) thought about a SOUTHWIND HEATER. They still re-furbish em Gas or Diesel. I can remember the heaters from years back,Would run ya right out of ths car. Didn't use much gasoline to produce more then ample Heat. They used em in Semi-tractors using the diesel from the tanks. Just a thought.
LOU

Lou from Wi. · Oct 25, 2009

Looked it up SOUTHWIND HEATERS> STILL MADE BY STEWART WARNER, Have a phone # 317-486=2600/ Just might be the ticket for you to investigate. I can remember em years ago. Cars had no defrost ducts on a 35 Plymouth,35 fords, and on many others.Full bore, ya couldnt sit in the passenger seat without scorching the shoe leather. What A HOT FOOT!!!!
LOU

M Nut · Oct 25, 2009

Ok, thanks for the advice guys. I guess I'm barking up the wrong tree with that idea. I did block off the grill with cardboard, but maybe I need to get it tight against the radiator. Also, it does have a block heater, just hasn't been cold enough to need it to start. It will start right up at 20, and it hasn't been colder than that yet this year.

Jim Plunkett · Oct 25, 2009

Put a block heater on the tractor it starts easy & you have heat when you start it. If you feed at te same time every day put the heater on a timer to turn on a couple hours before you need it.

JMS/.MN · Oct 25, 2009

On my JD tractors, I cut a piece of cardboard and lay it between the radiator and oil cooler. Side screens hold it in place, suction holds it to the rad. Light winter duty, including snow blowing- if I ground feed with it, I"d watch the temp guage and maybe cut a V on top or bottom to let some air through.

Leroy · Oct 25, 2009

I have had the electric 12 volt heater and it requires a 30 amp circut and a relay switch to handle the load and they are wired so the engine has to be running before they will come on. Had mine in a 88 Grand Caravan under the second seat and it sure made a difference in that van. A tractor cab would be about 1/4 the size of that van and to me for the quick heat it would be worth it.

Dutchman · Oct 25, 2009

I just went on e bay .. and type in 12 volt heater and got a good responds .. found one I like and now have to mt. it ... it's a 300watt
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Mark

buickaddeere · Oct 25, 2009

Good idea but they are rarely practical as others have stated.
If you used an engine block heater it would be a win, win win.
The engine would start much easier, suffer less wear and burn less fuel.The starter,alternator and batteries will last longer too.
Cab heat would be nearly instant.
A 300W unit would be just enough to warm your pants if stuffed inside a snowmobile suit.
http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/coldStart/engine_block_heaters.asp

olddog · Oct 26, 2009

B & D's idea is good here, maybe could go one better.
To save electricity, we used a timer on our diesel block heater, programmed to come on for about 3 hours before we expected to use it.

12 Volt Tractor cab heater?

M Nut

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rustyfarmall

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KEB1

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BCnT

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Bob

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Lou from Wi.

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Lou from Wi.

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M Nut

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Jim Plunkett

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JMS/.MN

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buickaddeere

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olddog

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