How long of an extension cord can a block heater be run off of?

[ghunt]

I'm pretty close to buying a truck, it has a block heater which I would obviously like to use this winter. However, with how my apartment is, it will require about a 50 foot extension cord to get power to it. Will that be a problem?

[guthrie&co]

as long as the cord is big enough to handle it. just get a cord that has the larger guage wire in it. i am sure someone else will chime in and tell you what size to buy.

[ghunt]

Well I was looking at the bigger gauge cords, I plan to get a decent one of course.

[FARM69]

Yep, get a heavy duty cord. I've ran my chord(s) for close to 100 feet before. Just make sure you have good connections. I'd get a 12/3 or maybe a 10/3 cord.

If you use too small of a gauge it will melt the plugs or the cord will get hot.

[brmpipes]

I run a 100 foot cord for my truck and it starts no problem in the winter.Here in alberta it is not uncommon to get to -35 to -40 c.

[afreemanmd]

how many amps does a block heater really pull? anybody measured it?

[killaford]

i think it was was 800 and some clamped.

[alchymist]

Originally Posted by afreemanmd

how many amps does a block heater really pull? anybody measured it?

Usually rated in watts, and most fall in the 200- 500 watt range. A 1000 watt heater is at the high end. So, for a 50 foot run, a #14 three wire cord would suffice. At the high end, 1000 watts, still only pulling 9 amps, so it's still ok. Now, with that said, you're probably not gonna use it only for the block heater, so for all around use get one size heavier, ie, #12. The 12 gauge 3 wire 50 footer is a good all around size. And for peace of mind, get a ground fault adapter - ...

http://www.ohiopowertool.com/item-detail.cfm?&ID=A1402-003-GFCI

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[Mark Kovalsky]

Ford's block heaters are 1000 watts. Aftermarket heaters may vary.

[texastech_diesel]

A does a normal orange utility cord work? In a normal GFCI outlet?

[F350-6]

Originally Posted by texastech_diesel

A does a normal orange utility cord work? In a normal GFCI outlet?

Color won't tell you much, but typically the cheap extension cords you see at the local Home Depot/Lowes are 14/3. That means they're running 14 ga. wire. You can usually find a good deal on a 12/3 (12 ga. is heavier than 14 ga.) 50 foot cord but a 12/3 100' will start to get pricey. The 10/3 cords you will have to pay for.

[alchymist]

Originally Posted by F350-6

Color won't tell you much, but typically the cheap extension cords you see at the local Home Depot/Lowes are 14/3. That means they're running 14 ga. wire. You can usually find a good deal on a 12/3 (12 ga. is heavier than 14 ga.) 50 foot cord but a 12/3 100' will start to get pricey. The 10/3 cords you will have to pay for.

And if you think the 12/3 gets pricey, try the 4 wire 50 amp cable for the RV - 18 feet with plug & twistlock conector will set you back $150.00.

[F350-6]

Originally Posted by alchymist

And if you think the 12/3 gets pricey, try the 4 wire 50 amp cable for the RV - 18 feet with plug & twistlock conector will set you back $150.00.

If you get over 10 gauge it's cheaper to make your own cords. Find an electrical supply house and buy the wire by the foot, along with the plugs you need.

[medhvac]

i use a 100 ft , but why plug the truck in if you dont have too!

[mnmwhit]

You are getting some good info and some bad info. I can tell you that the Ford Block heaters are not 1000 watts as someone else stated earlier. They are usually 200 each. you may be able to find out from your dealer. And then find out if you have one on each side or do you just have one heater.

If they were 1000 watts I would have a BIG problem. Because I have two (one one each side of my engine, I have a 125 watt heater under each battery, an 800 watt interior heater, a 100 watt oil pan heater and a 100 watt transmission heater.