Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Universal Preheater

Q: Why is it important to heat an engine lube oil supply?

A heated oil supply provides immediate oil flow, filtration and pressure for reduced cold start wear on all internal components, reduced load on the starter and battery and less drag for quicker start-up and greatly reduced water and acid accumulations in the oil supply.

Q: How hot will engine oil get?

The Universal Preheater raises engine oil temperatures to near operating levels after about six to eight hours of operation. Continuous (around the clock) heating will not damage the oil or its additives when the Universal Preheater is sized as we recommend. Continuing energy input simply maintains the temperature achieved.

Q: Will a Universal Preheater burn engine oil like immersion type heaters?

No. Universal Preheaters apply heat through the large surface area of an entire metal oil pan or housing. The temperatures involved are far lower than would damage the oil.

Q: How long will it take to heat the oil supply?

This will depend on the temperature of the engine oil at the time the heater is plugged in, but generally, full heating is accomplished in 5 to 6 hours.

Q: Why is the Universal Preheater better than block or tank heaters?

The Universal Preheater heats the oil supply. This heat rises inside the housing to warm important internal components. No other system is invaded to install the Universal Preheater as is the case with cooling system heaters. In addition, there is no deterioration of the heater such as occurs in cooling system heaters from the date of installation. The Universal Preheater does not wear out. Also, there is no risk to engine life (as with block heaters) because of coolant leaks at the time of installation or later.

Q: Will the Universal Preheater raise coolant temperature?

Heat rises off the warmed oil supply, but only a small amount of heat is absorbed by the coolant, resulting in a possible 15 to 20 degree F increase in coolant temperature.

Q: Is the Universal Preheater installed on the inside or outside of a fluid vessel?

Universal Preheaters are installed on the outside bottom or the side of an oil pan, gear box, hydraulic tank, etc. They are usually installed with the fluid vessel in place. Make sure that the Universal Preheater is installed below the level of the oil in the housing and as close to the bottom as possible when installing on the side.

Q: Can the Universal Preheater be moved from one vessel to another?

The Universal Preheater is installed with a permananent adhesive. Removing it will likely destroy it. Removal for installation on another vessel is not recommended.

Q: What does the Warranty cover?

Universal warrants the product against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of installation.

Q: How does the Universal Preheater compare in electricity use with other heaters?

The Universal Preheater generally uses less power to do the same job as other heaters. Compare actual wattage ratings. In certain applications, savings as high as 75% have been achieved over other preheat methods.

Q: What is diesel fuel gelling and what can I do to prevent it?

Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax which adds power when the fuel is combusted in the engine. But paraffin wax solidifies when the temperatures drop. The key to preventing diesel fuel gelling is to keep the fuel warm when it's exposed to those colder, winter temperatures.

Important Points for Proper Installation

What about Flat Surfaces and Single Plane Curves ?

Make sure there is adequate smooth surface area to install the heater, and that it is free of ridges, bumps (pebble finish), dents, depressions or recessed bolt heads. You must have a flat surface to install the heater. Do not try to even the surface by filling depressions with extra adhesive. It can be installed on a single plane curve, but not on 90-degree curves. The Universal Preheater must have continuous and complete contact with the surface of the vessel. Air pockets trapped under the heater lead to burn-out and failure.

Adequate Surface Preparation

The mounting surface must be squeaky clean and roughened slightly. For the optimal installation, remove existing paint from the surface, however, if the paint is sound, the heater can be applied over the paint; roughen the surface with sand paper. If the paint is questionable, remove it to bare metal. Remove all oil, grease and dirt from the installation area. Use a non-residue solvent such as Brake Clean or Electric Clean to finish the job. Clean your hands thoroughly before handling the Preheater. Press it into position and follow the directions that come with the Preheater.

How long does it take to install a Universal Preheater?

Installation time required is usually one hour or less.

And finally, a WARNING: Do not plug the heater in before it has been properly installed. It will destroy itself! In fact, the housing and the oil in the sump are required components in the design of the Universal Preheater. In very cold conditions at the time of installation, the heater can be plugged in for a few seconds to soften the Peel & Stick adhesive. This must be done carefully.

Universal Preheater™

As seen in Construction Equipment Guide.

The Universal Preheater™ is the cold weather Preheater of choice. The Universal Preheater™ converts the metal of a housing into a heat transfer element that exposes a large square inch surface of fluid to low watt heat. This design eliminates any chance of burning the fluid supply and still allows rapid heating of the fluid supply.