When to plug in?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
When to plug in?
I'm trying to figure out at what temperature I should consider plugging my truck in. So far I've had the truck down to about 28 degrees cold start. Cycle the glow plugs 3 times and starts up instantly. What do some of you guys tend to do?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 45
From: Columbus, Oh
What are you doing to cycle glow plugs? They stay on about 2 mins after the WTS light goes out depending on EOT. If GP system, batts and starter are up to snuff, you shouldn't need to plug in. Especially in Atlanta. It's 26 here in Ohio today, truck has sat for a couple weeks and it fired right up without being plugged in.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 4
From: Pecatonica, IL
x2 on good batts, glow plugs, and starter. It was about 15 here this morning, and I glowed mine, gave it about a 5 count after the light went out and started up no problemo.
Although it does make it start nicer plugged in. I was told 40 or below you should plug in. But its not a requirment. I would say below 0 you might want to plug in. But like alot of things it depends on your preference and more importantly how your truck deals with the cold.
Although it does make it start nicer plugged in. I was told 40 or below you should plug in. But its not a requirment. I would say below 0 you might want to plug in. But like alot of things it depends on your preference and more importantly how your truck deals with the cold.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Technically the truck NEVER has to be plugged in. It is easier on the truck and it makes warm ups faster. I like to plug mine in anytime it is 30 or below. I have a timer kick in on 3 hours before start up
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 45
From: Columbus, Oh
This is another great idea that often gets overlooked. Putting a timer on is a great idea and has always worked well for me in the past.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
Was 32 this morning (I know that's not too cold but it is for Texas!) for an hour and the WTS went dark near instantly. Cycled the key again just to be sure, same thing, WTS wait not needed. Fired right up as expected. I think the plug heater warms it faster than the engine running itself!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
I plug mine in if it is going below 35 just because I need to replace the glow plugs and haven't done it yet. A couple hours on the plug and it doesn't smoke when I start it. If I forget it will still start but I usually cycle the plugs a second time and let it sit there for a minute or two each time. But it is LOUD - i guess piston slap and stuff.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Once again, cycling the key does NOTHING. The glow plugs run MUCH longer than the WTS light.
I totally spaced on plugging in yesterday, no plans to drive the truck, but I wanted to replace the fuel filter before the snow flew. 25F, an extra five-count after the WTS light went off, a slightly slow crank and vroom. I'd say 25-30F is a good threshold for plugging it in. And DEF use a timer; anything more than 3 hrs run time is wasted, and depending on your per-kWh rate with your utility, it costs about a dollar, more or less, for every 6 hours.
I totally spaced on plugging in yesterday, no plans to drive the truck, but I wanted to replace the fuel filter before the snow flew. 25F, an extra five-count after the WTS light went off, a slightly slow crank and vroom. I'd say 25-30F is a good threshold for plugging it in. And DEF use a timer; anything more than 3 hrs run time is wasted, and depending on your per-kWh rate with your utility, it costs about a dollar, more or less, for every 6 hours.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
I just watch the guage - if it is way down then I figure the GPs are pulling. When I start the truck I notice it stays low for a while and then kicks up to where it always hangs out (don't have the numbers in my mind right now). I figured that was the best way to tell.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
It has been my observation that the WTS light stays on longer when the engine is colder, and after it has warmed up doesn't stay on at all. This is what I was trying to say earlier, is that after an hour on the block heater in 32 temps the WTS light did not stay lit, much like it was already warmed up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Understood, and can tell that they are still energized by the volt gauge and the speed of the blower motor. This is part of the motivation for my mod that lets me lock the truck with the remote fob while the engine running for the times I don't want to have everything run through the start up cycle again while I fuel up or similar.
It has been my observation that the WTS light stays on longer when the engine is colder, and after it has warmed up doesn't stay on at all. This is what I was trying to say earlier, is that after an hour on the block heater in 32 temps the WTS light did not stay lit, much like it was already warmed up.
It has been my observation that the WTS light stays on longer when the engine is colder, and after it has warmed up doesn't stay on at all. This is what I was trying to say earlier, is that after an hour on the block heater in 32 temps the WTS light did not stay lit, much like it was already warmed up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
In my opinion, you plug in when in when it's ~35f or below and one or more of the following are true:
1. You want your engine power and heat to come up much faster
2. You have a bunch if glow plugs out or other GP system problems
3. You have a weak starter or weak batteries.
Otherwise there is no 'requirement' for ever using it.
Also - the block heater only helps if it is not burned out and the cord and plug prongs are in decent shape. Otherwise it won't do much/anything notated how long it's plugged in - like mine!
1. You want your engine power and heat to come up much faster
2. You have a bunch if glow plugs out or other GP system problems
3. You have a weak starter or weak batteries.
Otherwise there is no 'requirement' for ever using it.
Also - the block heater only helps if it is not burned out and the cord and plug prongs are in decent shape. Otherwise it won't do much/anything notated how long it's plugged in - like mine!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 45
From: Columbus, Oh
In my opinion, you plug in when in when it's ~35f or below and one or more of the following are true:
1. You want your engine power and heat to come up much faster
2. You have a bunch if glow plugs out or other GP system problems
3. You have a weak starter
Otherwise there is no 'requirement' for ever using it.
Also - the block heater only helps if it is not burned out and the cord and plug prongs are in decent shape. Otherwise it won't do much/anything notated how long it's plugged in - like mine!
1. You want your engine power and heat to come up much faster
2. You have a bunch if glow plugs out or other GP system problems
3. You have a weak starter
Otherwise there is no 'requirement' for ever using it.
Also - the block heater only helps if it is not burned out and the cord and plug prongs are in decent shape. Otherwise it won't do much/anything notated how long it's plugged in - like mine!