stupid block heater question..

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Dec 6, 2010 | 06:12 AM

Liquid10Rider

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More Turbo

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stupid block heater question..

Hey guys I was just curious what would happen if you plug your truck in once you got back from driving? Since the engine coolant is warm does the heater just sit idle until it drops below the tempature for it to turn on? Or does it just sit on in hot coolant?

-AJ

Dec 6, 2010 | 06:35 AM

c125bob

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Chattahoochee Hills, Ga.

I hardly ever use mine but I'd guess that it is heating the whole time it's plugged in engine hot or not. Good question though, somebody will know for sure I bet.

Dec 6, 2010 | 06:45 AM

Ponyboychris

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From: Kiowa CO

There is no thermostat for the block heater. If it's plugged into the outlet, it's on.

Dec 6, 2010 | 08:33 AM

River19

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Joined: Jul 2009

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From: Live VT, Work MA

Anyone know the draw for the heater? Silly question, I know but I can hear my wife already wondering why the electric bill went up $x........

Good question by the OP though...........

Dec 6, 2010 | 08:36 AM

woodnthings

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2010

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From: Snohomish, WA

1,000 Watts! I use a 15 AMP timer that I set to come on an hour or two before I leave. Draw is about 9 amps.

Dec 6, 2010 | 08:51 AM

River19

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Joined: Jul 2009

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From: Live VT, Work MA

Me not being an electrical engineer and not staying at a Holiday Inn Express, it appears to me if you are serious about 1000watts, isn't that a kilowatt and if so, if I were to have it on for 2 hours would that be 2 kilowatt hours?

Hmmmm.....

Dec 6, 2010 | 09:19 AM

Mike F250

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From: Williamston, MI

yep, 2 KWH. I'm billed at approx. 14 cents per KWH. So, if the truck is plugged in on the timer and runs for 4 hours per day it costs me:
4X.14=.56X30=16.80 per month

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Dec 6, 2010 | 09:51 AM

beefcake

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Joined: Nov 2010

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i got my stuff coming on at 2am, by 8 when rolling out for work, i'm ready to rock!

Dec 6, 2010 | 10:32 AM

#10

Izzy351

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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth

That's way too long. Try 1-2 hours instead and save a few $$$.

Dec 6, 2010 | 10:38 AM

#11

Ponyboychris

Lead Driver

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From: Kiowa CO

3 hours max for me even at zero degrees out. It seems to be a waste of electricity otherwise.

Dec 6, 2010 | 10:39 AM

#12

Ford79

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Joined: Mar 2000

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From: Hampstead, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodnthings

1,000 Watts! I use a 15 AMP timer that I set to come on an hour or two before I leave. Draw is about 9 amps.

Exactly what I do. Timer comes on 2 hours before I start the truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy351

That's way too long. Try 1-2 hours instead and save a few $$$.

Agreed

Dec 6, 2010 | 11:23 AM

#13

River19

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 768

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From: Live VT, Work MA

So by me using a timer (or just remembering to plug it in when I get up at 5am) to go on at 5am and off at 7am when I leave for work saves me over $0.50 per use vs. plugging it in a 10pm the night before and off at 7am. We pay $0.0809/kwh where I am.

Not that it matters a ton, but using a timer would keep the bill from jumping $5-10/month depending on how much I use it.

Dec 6, 2010 | 11:29 AM

#14

Mike F250

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Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 775

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From: Williamston, MI

I run mine for four hours because I leave for hunting sometimes at 3pm and other times I may be headed into town for errands at 5pm. When I'm lucky enough to go hunting it's not plugged in for the last two hours so no electrical consumption.