When to plug in block heaters
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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Only standard in the northern tier states. I ordered mine in Oregon and had to pay for it. Dad bought his in Idaho and it was stock.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
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I generally plug mine in when snow hits the ground. I don't daily drive it, but it t doesn't hurt to keep the block warm. I have started my 6.0 without plugging it in, in temps as cold as -35°F, it did not like that at all. Had to wait around a half hour to warm up.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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When I was working I plugged my F150 gas truck in at 30 deg F or so. Had it on a programmable timer to come on at 3 hours before leaving for work. The F150 is my spare truck now, but it still runs great after 17 years!
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,515
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
this way i don't wake up as many neighbors letting it run for a few minutes before leaving.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
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From: Stevens Point, WI
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: MA
Now, it's not my intention to hijack this thread, and I don't think I am because I too was curious when one would plug in a block heater and it's been very good reading so far. However. Does anyone know what is involved to install a block heater on a 3V 5.4 that doesn't currently have one? Given all the responses from those that run a block heater on their gas motors to help them get going on cold mornings, it affirms the thoughts I've been having...any thoughts?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
Now, it's not my intention to hijack this thread, and I don't think I am because I too was curious when one would plug in a block heater and it's been very good reading so far. However. Does anyone know what is involved to install a block heater on a 3V 5.4 that doesn't currently have one? Given all the responses from those that run a block heater on their gas motors to help them get going on cold mornings, it affirms the thoughts I've been having...any thoughts?
oh no here we go!
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
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A trick I picked up when visiting a fire department is to mount a standard 20A male stage pin plug under the bumper wired to the block heater and wire the matching female plug to a wall or post with a chain or cable in line with the bumper height as strain relief for the wire. Plug in when you park and when you leave just drive off, it won't hurt the connectors at all and you won't be trailing an extension cord down the street.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 22
From: MA
A trick I picked up when visiting a fire department is to mount a standard 20A male stage pin plug under the bumper wired to the block heater and wire the matching female plug to a wall or post with a chain or cable in line with the bumper height as strain relief for the wire. Plug in when you park and when you leave just drive off, it won't hurt the connectors at all and you won't be trailing an extension cord down the street.
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six6six
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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Oct 16, 2011 11:57 AM