Engine Block Heater ???'s
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Cheyoming
Engine Block Heater ???'s
2001 F-350 crew, 7.3L, 147K
Does the block heater have a thermostat? Or is it on if it's plugged in?
In an effort to save money and conserve "energy" . . . I've been using a timer which turns on about 3 hours before starting. Works most of the time if the temps aren't single digits!
A mechanic at work thinks I would save more money on electric bill if I plugged it in when I get home at night. His reasoning: "It's easier to keep hot water warm than to heat cold water". Capice'? I think he's nuts. Has a point . . . but an invalid one. Whaddaya think?
Does the block heater have a thermostat? Or is it on if it's plugged in?
In an effort to save money and conserve "energy" . . . I've been using a timer which turns on about 3 hours before starting. Works most of the time if the temps aren't single digits!
A mechanic at work thinks I would save more money on electric bill if I plugged it in when I get home at night. His reasoning: "It's easier to keep hot water warm than to heat cold water". Capice'? I think he's nuts. Has a point . . . but an invalid one. Whaddaya think?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
You are right, he is wrong. It is an all or nothing situation with our heaters. They are either on or off. There is no thermostat and they pull just about 1000 watts, so which uses less energy- 1000 watts being used for 3 hours or 1000 watts being used for 12 hours?
Now if you are plugging in for 3 hours and then still having cold start issues after turning the key forward and letting the glow plugs cycle for 60-120 seconds before actually trying the start the truck, you have other issues than just trying to save money on the electric bill. I can leave my truck unplugged, single digit temps overnight, and she still fires up after cycling the glow plugs for about 90 seconds. She might romp for a second or two at the most with 5w-40 synthetic oil, but that's it. She fires right up. You might want to take a look at my cold start thread in my signature and do some diagnostics on why your truck won't cold start like it should.
Now if you are plugging in for 3 hours and then still having cold start issues after turning the key forward and letting the glow plugs cycle for 60-120 seconds before actually trying the start the truck, you have other issues than just trying to save money on the electric bill. I can leave my truck unplugged, single digit temps overnight, and she still fires up after cycling the glow plugs for about 90 seconds. She might romp for a second or two at the most with 5w-40 synthetic oil, but that's it. She fires right up. You might want to take a look at my cold start thread in my signature and do some diagnostics on why your truck won't cold start like it should.
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Hangfire
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
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Dec 2, 2004 11:45 PM
