On my buddies golf they just used a silicone heating mat. If you get the oil pan good and clean you can use RTV to attach right to the bottom of the oil pan.That being said, we've never had problems getting ours going in the winter. It's not like it gets super cold in BC during the winter. Synthetic oil is a wonderful thing...
Not in vernon maybe, but clearwater in january, thats a different story. -30!
I am now looking at one of the silicone rubber heating pads from McMaster carr. they come in a variety of sizes and power ratings. My pan is dry and clean of oil , (not used to that in a diesel). I'm thinking of somewhere between 200-500 watts. I don't think i need anywhere near 1000W. Coquitlam is not that cold but I feel that a warmed engine wears less than one started from dead cold all the time, gets better fuel mileage too. Cheers Dan