Cost to Plug in?
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
Look at your electric bill and find out what a kilowatt costs. It's probably in the $0.10-$0.20 range. The block heater uses a kilowatt. Multiply that rate by how many hours and you'll have the actual cost.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
If you are worried about actual cost, buy a $10 timer that can handle 20-30amps (3 prong plug) at a local hardware store. Have it turn on an hour or two before you would usually be starting the Ex to go to work. That way you only use what you need, when you need it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
You could REALLY get trick and get one of those Newmar (Havis-Shields) quick-ejects and mount it either under the front bumper or under the rear under the tail lights (if you back into your driveway). It ejects the power cord when it detects motor start.
Newmar KWICK-EJECT Automatic AC Cord Disconnect 20A / 120 VAC [KWICK-EJECT] - $198.99
Newmar KWICK-EJECT Automatic AC Cord Disconnect 20A / 120 VAC [KWICK-EJECT] - $198.99
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
I don't have the block heater myself - I'd use it to put power to my aux power items (light chargers, laptop/iPad power, inverter, etc.)
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
i leave my plug in during the winter months .. with how cold it is and the use of electric heaters in this house . i dont really notice a deference .. unplug drive around come home plug in
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
Yeah, the "Marinco" mod + the timer.
Amazon.com: Marinco 150BBI Marine On-Board Charger Inlet (15-Amp, 125-Volt, Black): Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: Marinco 150BBI Marine On-Board Charger Inlet (15-Amp, 125-Volt, Black): Sports & Outdoors
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
How about a couple small battery warmers too? 
Need to be careful what you hook up though, I think the diesel block heater pulls 1100 watts. Add another 120w(total) for two batteries and you need a good extension cord to handle that power. Not to mention a pretty empty circuit.
http://www.amazon.com/Kats-22400-Wat...3957809&sr=8-2
They guys up North where it really gets cold do all sorts of crazy stuff like oil pan heaters and tranny pan heaters. Or they just never turn their trucks off...
Need to be careful what you hook up though, I think the diesel block heater pulls 1100 watts. Add another 120w(total) for two batteries and you need a good extension cord to handle that power. Not to mention a pretty empty circuit.http://www.amazon.com/Kats-22400-Wat...3957809&sr=8-2
They guys up North where it really gets cold do all sorts of crazy stuff like oil pan heaters and tranny pan heaters. Or they just never turn their trucks off...
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
I use a 1 amp charger, sitting next to the passenger battery, the cord may loose voltage, but wont got warm because of the temps outside. At .10 kwh 12 hrs would cost about $1.50, I use a cycle timer on for 10 seconds off for 10 seconds.
It takes a few hours to heat the coolant/oil up, but i think im saving $$$ by cycling. I believe when coolant/oil temp are 30-50 degrees about the outside temp, less engine wear during starting up.
Plus the inside warm's up faster.
It takes a few hours to heat the coolant/oil up, but i think im saving $$$ by cycling. I believe when coolant/oil temp are 30-50 degrees about the outside temp, less engine wear during starting up.
Plus the inside warm's up faster.