block heater on a timer
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, oh.
block heater on a timer
so i was telling the wife i wanted to get a timer for the truck. well, i was planning on looking for something more on the heavy duty side to carry the load. she was at wally world and grabbed one for me "bless her heart" but, its says its only rated for 15 amps. so, will that carry the electrical load that the block heater pulls or should i look for something bigger. thanks chris
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
That should do fine.
The conversion of Watts to Amps is as follows:
Watts / Voltage = Amps
In our case, since we are talking about 120V AC and 1,000 Watts, the equation is:
1,000 Watts / 120 volts = 8.33 Amps
You're good as long as you plug it into a 15 amp circuit which has nothing else working on it to pull more than another 800 Watts (this load limit is determined by multiplying the remaining load available of 6.67 Amps by 120 volts, which is 800 Watts). Also, make sure to pay attention to the wire gauge in your extension cord to make sure it can handle the current for its length.
The conversion of Watts to Amps is as follows:
Watts / Voltage = Amps
In our case, since we are talking about 120V AC and 1,000 Watts, the equation is:
1,000 Watts / 120 volts = 8.33 Amps
You're good as long as you plug it into a 15 amp circuit which has nothing else working on it to pull more than another 800 Watts (this load limit is determined by multiplying the remaining load available of 6.67 Amps by 120 volts, which is 800 Watts). Also, make sure to pay attention to the wire gauge in your extension cord to make sure it can handle the current for its length.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, oh.
thanks guys, thats the info i needed. i do already run a bigger cord than your standard orange one, but i've never checked what all is on that same outlet. its always handled it in the past though. i'll check just so's i know though. thanks again
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
If you're running your heater for three hours before starting up and leaving, you could also pull the plug and let the engine idle in your driveway for another 5 minutes with the heater going and you'd have what you want... albeit at the expense and hassle of the extra effort to do the unplugging and starting up before leaving (unless you went with a remote start option).
When I've run my heater before starting up and the temps are in the 20's, I'm normally getting heat in the cab within 3-4 minutes of starting up as opposed to 12-15 minutes without the engine heater.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: South Shore, MA
If you're running your heater for three hours before starting up and leaving, you could also pull the plug and let the engine idle in your driveway for another 5 minutes with the heater going and you'd have what you want... albeit at the expense and hassle of the extra effort to do the unplugging and starting up before leaving (unless you went with a remote start option).
I have about the same results.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Should not have any trouble with that at all. The only thing which will happen is that once your engine is running, your coolant and oil will reach temperature even faster, and your thermostat may open sooner to control the temps.
Just make sure you UNplug before driving away.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: South Shore, MA
Haven't made that mistake yet, and I'm confident I won't. But, we've all read threads starting with those exact words.... 
I knew that was the case, but I had to ask anyway. 
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 355
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From: Wichita, KS
If you are concerned about the cab warming up, I have seen (but not done yet) guys tying a small ceramic heater into the same block heater plug. This way the cab is defrosted and warm before you crawl into start it. Only downside would be the extra draw on that circuit and possible fire hazard in the cab.
If truck block heater pulls 1000W, you could put 750W heater in the cab if nothing else is on you 15A circuit and be just under.
If truck block heater pulls 1000W, you could put 750W heater in the cab if nothing else is on you 15A circuit and be just under.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
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From: Eastern KS
But! but! but! It's fun to have to stop and pick up the cord before you can pull into the driveway when you get back home.... 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
Seemed like my old 7.3 would be blowing hot air in less than 1 mile after unplugging and starting.
Definetly not the case on the new one however I have not plugged it in yet, but I have remote started and let idle for 15 min and seems like it still takes awhile to warm up after I take off
Definetly not the case on the new one however I have not plugged it in yet, but I have remote started and let idle for 15 min and seems like it still takes awhile to warm up after I take off
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Seemed like my old 7.3 would be blowing hot air in less than 1 mile after unplugging and starting.
Definetly not the case on the new one however I have not plugged it in yet, but I have remote started and let idle for 15 min and seems like it still takes awhile to warm up after I take off
Definetly not the case on the new one however I have not plugged it in yet, but I have remote started and let idle for 15 min and seems like it still takes awhile to warm up after I take off