From job sites to equipment yards and farms, work continues when temperatures drop. This 375-watt lower radiator hose heater warms coolant and moves heat into the engine through natural circulation, helping make cold starts easier.
Equipment parked overnight at a job site, in an equipment yard, or in an unheated building can be difficult to start when temperatures drop. This 375-watt heater warms coolant in the lower radiator hose so heat can move into the engine before startup. It's a cold-weather preparation option for light industrial, medium-duty, and agricultural equipment with a compatible cooling-system layout. Two to five hours of preheating is usually enough before startup, depending on conditions.
The heater works by thermosiphon circulation. As the coolant warms, it rises toward the engine water jacket and cooler coolant takes its place. This natural movement carries warmth into the engine without a mechanical pump. For that process to work, the hose must keep rising toward the engine, with no high points or downward dips that could interrupt the flow.
This heater fits a smooth, molded lower radiator hose with a 1" inside diameter. You'll need at least 3" of straight hose for mounting, a continuous upward angle of at least 15° toward the engine, and a direct path to the engine water jacket. Check the surrounding space as well. The heater requires approximately 3-1/2" x 3" x 2-1/2" of installation clearance, including the cord connection.
Once the heater is positioned, the two included hose clamps secure it to the cut hose ends. This heater is not recommended for automotive or light truck applications.
A built-in thermostat limits the heater to a maximum temperature of 245°F (118°C). That's a limit for the heater itself, not the temperature the engine coolant will reach. The heater connects to 120V household power through a detachable cord. If the cord is damaged, you can replace it with the Zerostart replacement cord (ZE68SR) , sold separately.
Zerostart is a Phillips & Temro brand, from a manufacturer that develops engine, battery, and equipment heaters. That experience is relevant when you're preparing working equipment to start in cold weather, from industrial job sites to agricultural operations.
This heater is intended for light industrial, medium-duty, and agricultural equipment. It fits a 1" inside-diameter, smooth, molded lower radiator hose. It is not recommended for automotive or light truck applications, and a matching hose diameter alone does not guarantee proper fit.
Choose a straight hose section at least 3" long. From the heater to the engine, the hose must rise continuously at an angle of at least 15° and connect directly to the engine water jacket. Avoid high points, downward dips, and sharp bends that can trap air or prevent warm coolant from circulating. The equipment must be parked on level ground during heater operation.
Allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system. Drain the radiator as directed, install the heater in the selected hose section, and secure both connections with the included hose clamps. After refilling, follow the manufacturer's instructions for running the engine and checking for leaks before using the heater.
Never plug in the heater before installation or when the cooling system is low on coolant. Fill and bleed the system so trapped air does not interrupt circulation or expose the heating element. The manufacturer calls for a 50/50 water and glycol coolant mixture; do not use 100-percent antifreeze.
Do not start or operate the engine while the heater is plugged in. Disconnect the extension cord from the power source, then unplug the heater cordset from the extension cord before starting the equipment or driving away.
Use a properly grounded 120V GFCI-protected outlet and an outdoor-rated, 3-prong extension cord rated for at least 10 amps. Route the power cord away from hot surfaces, sharp edges, and moving parts.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi everybody, Andy here with etrailer.com. Let's take a quick look at the Zerostart lower radiator hose heater. Now, farm mornings and job sites don't stop for freezing weather. This hose heater is going to warm coolant before it reaches the engine block. So your engine, such as in your tractors and skid steers and generators are going to turn over easier and run smoother all winter long. So you're not going to have to worry about overheating or wasted energy with this heater because it has a built-in thermostat that's going to automatically regulate the heat, keeping coolant in the right range for reliable starts without stressing the components.
This heater is going to slip into a smooth molded one inch hose with a slight rise and a direct path to the engine. And then you're just going to plug this into any 120-volt outlet and you're going to be good to go. If you notice here, by the way, this plug plugs into your standard outlet does have a tethered cap on it to keep those prongs clean when it's not in use. So that's a nice touch. And so this hose is also, I'm sorry, this cord rather is also removable.
So if for whatever reason this cord gets damaged, you're not going to have to replace the whole heater. All you have to do is replace that cord. So let me go ahead and give you some overall measurements. You're going to get about 300 or up to 375 watts of heating power. And this does have a maximum heater temperature of 245 degrees Fahrenheit.
So the overall height, we are, looks like we're pretty close to about three inches or so. Then the overall width, again, right at about three inches. And then the overall depth, about two and a half inches or so. Kind of difficult to show that. It is CSA certified.
And this isn't recommended for automotive or live truck applications. Instructions are also included to guide you through the installation process. But if you happen to have any other questions about this heater or anything else that we carry, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We want to make sure that you're getting exactly what you want and need. Well, that's going to wrap up our quick look today. I hope it was helpful for you. Again, my name is Andy. Thank you for joining me.
Ratings & Reviews
Info for this part was:
At etrailer we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.