Is there a way to heat up the intake without using the grid heater when starting up in cold weather? I'm thinking like maybe a 100 watt bulb under the hood or something. I already have the block heater but the grid heater still comes on.

 

the only way the grid heater wont come on is if you pull the relays out.

let it come on, it helps on startup more than you think

 

I understand it's hard on the batteries, I was thinking if there's a way to keep it warmed up then the grid heater wouldn't have to kick on and make it easier on the batteries.

 

the big thing about it is the recharge on the batteries. there is alot that is taken out of them and th ealtenator has to put all that back in.

 

Get yourself a couple optima deep cycles, then you won't have to worry. Got two on mine, I could leave my lights on all night and it still would fire off in the morning (haven't actually tried it, but you get the point)

 

try it Jacob and let us know... <jk> but seriously, I'm curious as to how well they hold up.

 

Will give it a try next weekend. When I was in wyoming, my roommate had a 99 psd and it was -38F and one of those batteries was able to start it. It cranked over just fine.

 

The batteries can recover pretty quick from a cold weather start. The heavy draw excites the battery, literally. They should have enough oompf to do that 20+ times in a row. I installed a Schumaker conditioner to the batteries and, when I plug it in at night, the batteries are warm and ready to do their job in the a.m. It also prolongs battery life tremendously. In warmer weather, I simply disconnect my block heater. I let the batteries charge 365 days a year. Well worth the investment. My Ram is 12 years old, and only on it's second set of batteries.

The amount of draw was certainly figured into the design. My opinion is let the vehicle operate as intended. Leave the intake heaters be.



Good luck.

 

Does it do both batteries at the same time? Any special connections I would need? Model number on the conditioner? Thanks.