Cold mornings can slow the workday before it starts. This 600W heater warms coolant in select Caterpillar and Perkins engines, reducing cold-start strain so your equipment is better prepared for the first job.
The workday starts early, even when temperatures drop below freezing. Maybe you have a loader waiting to move material, a telehandler needed on a construction site, or a tractor ready for morning chores. When an engine has been sitting outside all night, starting can be harder. This 600-watt Zerostart heater warms the coolant before startup, reducing cold-start strain and helping the engine reach operating temperature sooner. It's a practical way to prepare your equipment before the first job of the day.
Caterpillar and Perkins engines power a wide range of agricultural, construction, and industrial equipment, so the machine itself doesn't always tell you which heater fits. This model is listed for select Caterpillar C4.4 and C4.4 ACERT Tier 4 engines, along with Perkins 1104, 1104 Tier 4, and 1204 engines. Check your engine identification and the manufacturer's application chart before ordering.
There's also an important distinction between adding a heater and replacing an existing one. For specified Caterpillar C4.4 and Perkins 1104 applications, Phillips & Temro/Zerostart recommends this 600-watt threaded heater for new installations. If you're replacing an existing freeze-plug heater, the manufacturer lists a different 750-watt model, part 3500084, for those applications. Confirm which opening your engine uses rather than choosing a heater based on engine family alone.
This is a threaded coolant-immersion heater, not a dry cartridge or press-in freeze-plug heater. It replaces the designated 3/4" NPT threaded plug at the left center of the engine, placing the heating element directly in the coolant. As the coolant warms, heat moves through the cooling passages, giving the engine a warmer starting point before you turn the key.
Installation requires draining enough coolant to remove the existing plug and fit the heater. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct opening, thread sealing, and tightening procedure. Once installed, refill the cooling system, remove trapped air, and check for leaks before connecting electrical power. The specific installation guidance can be found in the instructions included with the heater.
Plugging in your equipment before an early shift is easier when the power connection is accessible. The included 5' silicone cord can be routed to a convenient location on your machine. Secure it away from exhaust components, sharp edges, and moving parts, leaving enough slack for normal engine movement.
The cord is removable, so a damaged electrical connection doesn't mean replacing a functioning heater. This model uses a Type J connector, and the compatible replacement is the Zerostart 5' replacement power cord (ZE84QR) , manufacturer part 3600100.
Zerostart is a Phillips & Temro brand. You may recognize Phillips & Temro from original-equipment engine-heating applications, even if the Zerostart name is less familiar. The company develops heating products for agricultural machinery, construction equipment, commercial vehicles, and industrial engines. That background is useful when selecting a heater with the correct connection and electrical rating for equipment you depend on.
Allow the engine and coolant to cool completely before installation. Follow the engine manufacturer's instructions for draining and refilling the cooling system. Phillips & Temro recommends a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. Do not use straight antifreeze or a mixture exceeding 65 percent antifreeze, as this can cause premature heater failure. Avoid coolant containing stop-leak additives.
This heater uses a 3/4" NPT threaded connection and installs at the designated left-center location on compatible engines. Confirm your engine application and the correct opening before installation. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for thread sealing, element clearance, and tightening. Do not over-tighten the heater. The matching thread size alone does not establish compatibility with another engine.
Do not plug in the heater before installation to see if it works. The heating element must be fully immersed in coolant before power is applied. Operating it in open air can damage the element or cause serious burns. To check electrical resistance, disconnect the heater from power and use a multimeter according to the manufacturer's instructions. General Zerostart testing guidance specifies a resistance reading between 5 and 100 ohms.
Refill the cooling system and remove trapped air before connecting power. Use a properly grounded 120V outlet and an extension cord rated for the electrical load and operating environment. Keep wiring away from hot surfaces and moving parts. Always unplug the heater before starting the engine. When disconnecting power, grasp the plugs rather than pulling on the cords.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi, everyone. Steve here with etrailer.com. Today we're taking a look at our Zerostart engine heater. It's 120 volts, 600 watts, and it uses a 3/4-inch fitting for mostly Caterpillar engines. So when the tents drop, you don't want to deal with your equipment fighting you. And this custom fit block heater for your engine is going to warm the coolant, prevent gelling, reduce cold start wear, and keep those Caterpillar and Perkin engines ready for winter work.
Now, this does protect them, again, by keeping everything nice and warm, and reducing the strain and wear and tear. And this clip here on the silicone connector just simply pushes in, and it'll grab these when you push it in place. Give you a nice tight connection. And then of course you have your 120-volt plug here with a cap on it, that way it's not going to get dirty and stuff whenever you're not using it. It's a five-foot-long cord, and it does use a silicone in there so it can handle heavy uses when multiple attaching, detaching, and those kind of things.
Now, again, folks, this is a plug size of a 3/4-inch NPT, or National Pipe Threads. Folks, this is the Zerostart engine heater. I'm Steve with etrailer.com. Thanks so much for watching, and have a great day.
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