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Thread: Use your Micra's block heater: save fuel, reduce wear, be more comfortable.

  1. #11
    Administrator MetroMPG's Avatar
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    Lucky you. It'll still help though.

    I wasn't kidding about using my coolant heater 3/4 seasons.

    I also put mine on a remote control, so I could activate it ~an hour before using the car (I don't commute, so not on a "timer friendly schedule"). Mine is 800 watts though, and an hour is plenty for my little 1.0L engine. I suspect the Micra's isn't as powerful if it's the frost plug style.


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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...


  2. #12
    Senior Member Howie's Avatar
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    I am.. Its there for a reason.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S automatic: 7.9 L/100 km ... 35.7 mpg (Imp) ... 12.6 km/L ... 29.7 mpg (US) ...


  3. #13
    Senior Member Pete's Avatar
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    I am with you anonymous." Its there for a reason" I will just go out and plug mine in when I wake up by the time I eat and shower ect. It should be good to go.

  4. #14
    Senior Member AlphaMicra's Avatar
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    I believe that reason is Winnipeg.

    In our culture obsessed with absurd excess, the Nissan Micra is my counterculture car of choice.
    Be sure to visit my blog at mymicra.com!

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra SV manual: 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp) ... 15.7 km/L ... 36.9 mpg (US) ...


  5. #15
    Senior Member PocketRocket's Avatar
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    Hey anyone have a recommendation for a block heater extension cord? I mean hopefully a cheap but good crappy tire one... i dont place alot of faith in the wiring in this house ( though i did redo the outdoor socket last year and have had no problems with it since ).

    edit: i need a pretty long one as I will most likely have a car parked in front of me at all times... I would say at least a 20ft cord would be needed to have slack.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 6.5 L/100 km ... 43.7 mpg (Imp) ... 15.5 km/L ... 36.4 mpg (US) ...


  6. #16
    Senior Member AlphaMicra's Avatar
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    The size of cord you buy will depend on the current draw of the block heater. I haven't checked yet, but assuming 1200 watts at 120 volts is 10 amps. A 100 foot 14 gauge cord is good for 13 amps, so I'd think that most outdoor extension cords would be fine. Just make sure to get an extension cord rated for use in cold weather, or else the jacket might become too rigid in the cold.

    In our culture obsessed with absurd excess, the Nissan Micra is my counterculture car of choice.
    Be sure to visit my blog at mymicra.com!

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra SV manual: 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp) ... 15.7 km/L ... 36.9 mpg (US) ...


  7. The Following User Says Thank You to AlphaMicra For This Useful Post:

    MetroMPG (12-11-2014)

  8. #17
    Senior Member PocketRocket's Avatar
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    I opened the hood and looked at the cord for the heater, it says its 1250w.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 6.5 L/100 km ... 43.7 mpg (Imp) ... 15.5 km/L ... 36.4 mpg (US) ...


  9. The Following User Says Thank You to PocketRocket For This Useful Post:

    MetroMPG (10-07-2014)

  10. #18
    Administrator MetroMPG's Avatar
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    I wonder if that the cord's rating, as opposed to the heating element itself. I'd still like to plug in a kill-a-watt and get a live reading.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...


  11. #19
    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    I highly doubt its 1250W. Most block heaters are a few hundred watts like 300-400.

  12. #20
    Senior Member AlphaMicra's Avatar
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    Well, Darin, since you were so polite about it, I thought I'd save you the trouble:

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    Looks like Daox was right. That means this block heater draws a mere 3.25 amps or so, so a heavy duty extension cord is definitely not necessary. One that is flexible in cold weather is.



    In our culture obsessed with absurd excess, the Nissan Micra is my counterculture car of choice.
    Be sure to visit my blog at mymicra.com!

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra SV manual: 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp) ... 15.7 km/L ... 36.9 mpg (US) ...


  13. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to AlphaMicra For This Useful Post:

    Daox (10-09-2014),Howie (10-07-2014),MetroMPG (10-09-2014)

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