Block Heater Working?
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 496
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Block Heater Working?
How do you know if the block heater is working? Have to use the truck today and 10* this morning here in Ohio. I normally don't drive it in the winter so last night I plugged it in and in about an hour I went out with my infrared thermometer shot the block and where the big wire goes into the top of the oil filter housing. Both read the ambient air temperature at 15*. Is that a true test or not? Also it took about 4 times to start this morning. Ran rough then smoothed out after a minute.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 74
From: Aroostook County, Maine
Easiest way to check if it is functioning is to watch your electric consumption meter on the house. If the heater is working, even if only at "half power", you will see an immediate jump in the spinning meter as soon as you plug it in. Or on the counter of you have a digital one. You might need a helper for this quick test.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
How do you know if the block heater is working? Have to use the truck today and 10* this morning here in Ohio. I normally don't drive it in the winter so last night I plugged it in and in about an hour I went out with my infrared thermometer shot the block and where the big wire goes into the top of the oil filter housing. Both read the ambient air temperature at 15*. Is that a true test or not? Also it took about 4 times to start this morning. Ran rough then smoothed out after a minute.
It appears your element is not working properly. You can either test the element and replace as needed, test the cord and replace as needed or replace everything.
Are you sure the breaker didn't trip? The heaters draw a lot of amperage based on the extension cord specifications.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I've only plugged mine in once years ago to see if it works. I could hear the element sizzling in the block. Obviously you won't be able to hear that if you're parked next to a busy street, but I lived in suburbia Seattle at the time, and I could pick out the sound easy enough. Same sound you get on an electric hot water heater when it's heating back up.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
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From: Douglassville, PA
I use two methods. 1) When I plug it into the extension cord, it arcs and 2) as stated above, you can hear the sizzle in there pretty soon after plugging it in. You should also notice a little warmth in the extension cord after prolonged use.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
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I did check the breaker and it's on the same circuit that my Triumph cars are plugged into and all 3 lights were on the battery tenders I have them hooked up to. I did hear some noises but not sizzling sounds. That's the first time I needed that to work. Like I said for now I don't use my truck in the winter but in another year that will change so I will need it to work. Anyone know the resistance reading for the element?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Eastern Washington
I think it's under 10 ohms. If it's bad it will be very high resistance or open.
I try to plug in for at least 4 hours if I know I will need to start it between 32 and 20 degrees, overnight if below 20 degrees.
The cord will be warm to the touch after being plugged in a few hours.
I try to plug in for at least 4 hours if I know I will need to start it between 32 and 20 degrees, overnight if below 20 degrees.
The cord will be warm to the touch after being plugged in a few hours.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
?????
When I lived in Seattle, there were many mornings that the temperature would drop to well below freezing and I NEVER had any difficulty in getting it started. I can see using the heater if it's below zero myself, but why bother with it if it starts up on it's own reliably?
When I lived in Seattle, there were many mornings that the temperature would drop to well below freezing and I NEVER had any difficulty in getting it started. I can see using the heater if it's below zero myself, but why bother with it if it starts up on it's own reliably?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
?????
When I lived in Seattle, there were many mornings that the temperature would drop to well below freezing and I NEVER had any difficulty in getting it started. I can see using the heater if it's below zero myself, but why bother with it if it starts up on it's own reliably?
When I lived in Seattle, there were many mornings that the temperature would drop to well below freezing and I NEVER had any difficulty in getting it started. I can see using the heater if it's below zero myself, but why bother with it if it starts up on it's own reliably?
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 74
From: Aroostook County, Maine
For my old dearly beloved e99, and for my current 2002, I feel compelled to "plug it in" at less than -10F/-23C. But it also depends on what the weather has been for the 2 or 3 days prior.
But 3 or 4x per winter, I find myself in an airport parking lot when it has been sitting at -10F or colder out in the open for a week+ (and always late at night). No plug in option. I have org'd myself with knife-switches and a huge NoCo booster to get me through this design case. So far so good.
Earlier today, I started my truck after 3 days of -20F/-28C and night time wind-chills 20F/10C colder. Outside temp at the time was +12F. There is no way the block of that truck was anywhere near +12 after that stretch. 2 GP cycles and the on-board charger plugged in, and it started up around 10 seconds of crank time.
But 3 or 4x per winter, I find myself in an airport parking lot when it has been sitting at -10F or colder out in the open for a week+ (and always late at night). No plug in option. I have org'd myself with knife-switches and a huge NoCo booster to get me through this design case. So far so good.
Earlier today, I started my truck after 3 days of -20F/-28C and night time wind-chills 20F/10C colder. Outside temp at the time was +12F. There is no way the block of that truck was anywhere near +12 after that stretch. 2 GP cycles and the on-board charger plugged in, and it started up around 10 seconds of crank time.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
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Thanks all! Saturday was one of those days that there were appointments one right after another and we need the payload of the truck for the 1st. So I needed it to start so Murphy's law didn't kick in. 10* is rare here and the truck hadn't run in 2 months and as you know the longer it sits the harder it is to start. That was the first time trying to start it at that low of a temperature. When I get a chance when the weather warms up I'll check the ohms. Crazy weather here it's suppose to get to 50 tomorrow and be much milder for the next week.
@FinnishStroker My grandparents immigrated from Finland. Kiitos!
@FinnishStroker My grandparents immigrated from Finland. Kiitos!