block heater
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 175
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From: New Kensington PA
Block heater
I took out the cord from the truck. then I used a continuity tester to check each lead. After careful examination I saw that there was a break in the wire near the plug. After that discovery I bought about 5' of #14 AWG with a new plug and replaced most of the cord. I tested it again with the tester and everything was working. When I plug the truck in at night I use a timer and heat the engine for about 3 hours before I need to use it.
Doc
Doc
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: New Kensington PA
Heater cord
When I replaced my BH cord I used #14 wire that I bought at Ace. I think that it was .$79 per foot. I had an extra heavy duty plug in my collection of electrical supplies. The total cost was $5.02. Ford wants between $50-70 for the cord. The Ford wire is #16 AWG. I did solder my connections from the old piece that went into the block. Make sure that you stagger the joints and wrap them well. I then covered all of this with some of the heavy orange insulation and wrapped it again with tape. Finally I reused the wire loom and wrapped it as well.
Doc
Doc
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
The block heater cords and plugs see such a big amp draw that they just go bad after a while. I would replace it with a new one. I dont know if any of the vendors here sell them , but , I know the big truck dealerships or Ford sells them. If you arent going to Ford you will need to bring the cord with you or they wont know which one you need. To remove it there is either a metal clip that holds onto the heater or there is a threaded lockring that will have to be removed. Then just unplug it from the heater. You can repair them for cheaper than you can buy one , but , a repair wont last as long as a new one.
Furniture Dr. has the right idea. Using a timer will decrease the amount of abuse on the cord and it should last a lot longer. Having it plugged in for several hrs or several days doesnt help in starting any more than plugging it in for 2-3 hrs in most climates.
Furniture Dr. has the right idea. Using a timer will decrease the amount of abuse on the cord and it should last a lot longer. Having it plugged in for several hrs or several days doesnt help in starting any more than plugging it in for 2-3 hrs in most climates.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: AZ
It is quite a draw, that's for sure. Sometimes when I have my camper out in the middle of no where I'll plug in my pickup if its cold and the generator will really wind up with the load.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
My dad had a dumptruck for a lot of yrs. He always kept it plugged into an ext cord that was plugged into a timer during the cold seasons. The block heater would just fry everything eventually. The cord and then the timer and even eventually the recep it was plugged into. There is no way around it, but , like Furniture doc said the timer will keep it to a minimum.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2011
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From: Monroe City in
I didnt hardly ever plug my usual in when i first got it. But one night i decided i would cause i was gonna get up early. So i pluged it in then went out to the barn to get something and as i was walking back i seen a fire under my truck. I ran over there as east as i could and luckly i park right next to the out side water hydrant with a bucket for the dog water. I opened the hood and got it put out. It didnt burn any thing else but the cord. Idk why it didnt trip the breaker. I know it wouldnt of been good if i would of just went in and went to bed. I never did replace the core on it after that.
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From: Monroe City in
I know a quad axle driver that cant park his truck near an outlet so he uses the jumper pack from black and decker with the 110 outlet built in. He said it works good and last all night and he charges it during the day. I always thought that was a good idea for someone that did not have access to an outlet. I think it is around100 bucks at the home depot.
Last edited by stainlessstroker95; Jan 8, 2012 at 11:18 PM. Reason: spelling
Postmaster
Joined: May 2011
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From: Monroe City in
Ya i remember filling up both my tanks that day too. It could of been a bad deal.
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