What temp do you plug in
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Ohio
What temp do you plug in
This will be my first winter with this truck. I have lots of experience the Diesels, but not the PSD. My other Diesel's all are different for when they need plugged in so I'm sure this one will be too. At what temp do you guys plug in overnight and what temp do you need to plug in at work (10 hours)? I'm thinking 30 for overnight and 5 for work?
Currently the Big OTR Series 60 gets the cord at 35, it will start easy into the twenty's (has a Quick start system on it Quick Start Products & Solutions | Diesel Engine Ether Injection Systems )but the neighbors don't like not being able to see. The old 12V Cummins p/u liked it around twenty,but you'd freeze waiting for heat. And the Kubota will light right off at -10, if the fuel will flow.
Currently the Big OTR Series 60 gets the cord at 35, it will start easy into the twenty's (has a Quick start system on it Quick Start Products & Solutions | Diesel Engine Ether Injection Systems )but the neighbors don't like not being able to see. The old 12V Cummins p/u liked it around twenty,but you'd freeze waiting for heat. And the Kubota will light right off at -10, if the fuel will flow.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
I have a timer, and I set it to turn on 2.5 hours before I need to leave, and I only set it when it is 35* or below. Don't really need it till the 20's, but it helps save the batteries a little. Don't forget some Anti-gel additive, I loke the Power Service/Diesel Kleen in the white bottle. Had it as low as -25* (Cold Start) with no gelling issues. 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
Now that I have synthetic oil, I won't be as paranoid, but below 30-ish is where I plug in. I don't drive it every day, so I can plan ahead the night before and set it up on a timer to come on at 3 AM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Before winter comes, check out your glow plugs and the glow plug relay (GPR). Put an LED on the dash to monitor the glow plugs, so you wait until they have shut off BEFORE trying to start the truck (on real cold mornings I run the glow plugs for two cycles). Consider switching over to 5-40 synthetic oil (really helps cold starts). I don't bother with a heater unless we are going to single-digits or lower...but when I do use the heater, I run it for 2 hours using a timer.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: West ID
Yea I usually don't plug in even down into the teens and as low as single digits, never had a problem starting even with Delo, but it's rarely that cold here. I just replaced my o-rings, GPR, and glow plugs last March so I think I should be ready to go, and I will run T6 this winter.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
I rarely, if ever, plug my truck in.
The only thing it does for me is keep the snow from sticking to the hood as much and give me heat faster.
We saw -2* this winter and with no additive (NOT recommended) and no plug in (not concerned) it started right up with one cycle of the plugs. It sputtered for a minute or so but after that she was happy.
That's with 5w40 synthetic and 2 year old Optima red tops.
The only thing it does for me is keep the snow from sticking to the hood as much and give me heat faster.
We saw -2* this winter and with no additive (NOT recommended) and no plug in (not concerned) it started right up with one cycle of the plugs. It sputtered for a minute or so but after that she was happy.
That's with 5w40 synthetic and 2 year old Optima red tops.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
I have started mine as cold as -17, stone cold sat overnight with Delo 15/40. It sounded like hell.....kind of like a pete jackson noisy gear drive on a small block chevy, so I shut if off an restarted and it was fine.
I usually plug mine in at 35 or below with a 3 hour timer and set the hvac control to full heat and defrost so when I use my remote start she will be ready to go.
I usually plug mine in at 35 or below with a 3 hour timer and set the hvac control to full heat and defrost so when I use my remote start she will be ready to go.
When I did, I just shoved it back where I found it..... and that has been many years ago.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: Irwin,Pa
I agree.. 2 winters ago, I was running Rotella dino & had a horrible time with cold starts.. Last winter...I found my GPR wasn't working properly so I changed it out, added the LED & changed to Rotella semi-synthetic & I rarely plugged it in unless we were in the single digits or below & never had an issue...
Before winter comes, check out your glow plugs and the glow plug relay (GPR). Put an LED on the dash to monitor the glow plugs, so you wait until they have shut off BEFORE trying to start the truck (on real cold mornings I run the glow plugs for two cycles). Consider switching over to 5-40 synthetic oil (really helps cold starts). I don't bother with a heater unless we are going to single-digits or lower...but when I do use the heater, I run it for 2 hours using a timer.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: Irwin,Pa