Does the block heater have t-stat??
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
Does the block heater have t-stat??
So we are in campground near Mt Hood Or and its been a bit cold at night into the lower 40's. Earlier in Nov we were at farm harvest workamping job near Fargo and got snow and freezing temp for like a week or so.. Staring truck as interesting but it started right up and ran fine when cold so figure the injectors are in good shape for 240K miles currently.
I had extension cord out for heat gen to thaw water lines etc and decide to connect the block heater to help with how long ti take to get heat inside and easier to start.. it worked like a charm.. temp was like 109 in the morning after a cold night.
Fast forward a couple weeks in the campground near Mt Hood I was plugging in block heater and the elec pedestal has a old style meter with the spinning dial.. we had come back form a trip to larger town on Sandy so the truck was at full temp around 195 when i shut it off.. I plugged in heater and noticed the dial spinning up faster. I turned off breaker and it slowed.. that got me to wondering if there as a tstat on them or not.. it does not appear so on this truck.. 2003.. did a video to show..
what is the deal.. stat or no stat??
I had extension cord out for heat gen to thaw water lines etc and decide to connect the block heater to help with how long ti take to get heat inside and easier to start.. it worked like a charm.. temp was like 109 in the morning after a cold night.
Fast forward a couple weeks in the campground near Mt Hood I was plugging in block heater and the elec pedestal has a old style meter with the spinning dial.. we had come back form a trip to larger town on Sandy so the truck was at full temp around 195 when i shut it off.. I plugged in heater and noticed the dial spinning up faster. I turned off breaker and it slowed.. that got me to wondering if there as a tstat on them or not.. it does not appear so on this truck.. 2003.. did a video to show..
what is the deal.. stat or no stat??
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
OK what to keep it from just overheating the block?? that sound kinda dangerous at some degree..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2023
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It drops to -40c for weeks at a time where I live so block heater, oil pan heater and space heater inside cab and always plugged in when not driving and the in cab heater means no cold steering wheel/leather seats and never having to scrape ice/now off the windows in the morning
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,672
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From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
To the OP, like you said it was 109 degrees after being plugged in overnight. When it's colder it won't even get that warm. Like stated no thermostat, no problems except a power meter that spins like a top. If you have buckzooka keep it plugged in, if not, put it on timer to come on 2-4 before you plan on starting it. Yes it is cold where I live, 6000+ feet and 800+ inches of snow last year so I use mine as described.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2021
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From: Montana
No block heater above 20F or so, 2 to 3 hours 0 to 20F, 4+ hours below -10 has been my method. Works fine. All night is a waste unless your -35 or colder, but then my external fuel filter starts to clog up anyway below -35 so starting isn't the problem, running under load is....
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
No block heater above 20F or so, 2 to 3 hours 0 to 20F, 4+ hours below -10 has been my method. Works fine. All night is a waste unless your -35 or colder, but then my external fuel filter starts to clog up anyway below -35 so starting isn't the problem, running under load is....
However, I don't even use my block heater ever, truck will fire right up
At -5c it takes HOURS to heat everything up so plugging it in for 30-60 minutes in colder weather won't do much lol. Overnight is best and in really cold climates tossing a moving blanket over the engine helps a lot!
It drops to -40c for weeks at a time where I live so block heater, oil pan heater and space heater inside cab and always plugged in when not driving and the in cab heater means no cold steering wheel/leather seats and never having to scrape ice/now off the windows in the morning
It drops to -40c for weeks at a time where I live so block heater, oil pan heater and space heater inside cab and always plugged in when not driving and the in cab heater means no cold steering wheel/leather seats and never having to scrape ice/now off the windows in the morning
I wasn't saying to just plug it in for an hour or less...more along the lines of what kintla said.
The OP said it only got into the 40's. as mentioned above, I don't ever plug my truck in. It will fire up after sitting for a week or longer even when it's super cold, below zero. It may not be happy at first but it'll fire up. My truck will be over 110deg in 15 minutes or less; and i don't have an AIH or EBPV. So it's not worth it to me to pay the electric to run a block heater.
I guess it depends on a variety of factors but in the OP's current situation I would only do a few hours or not even at all, just my opinion.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,924
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I agree.
However, I don't even use my block heater ever, truck will fire right up
I'm not going anywhere if it's -40 unless it's an emergency. I'm not even going anywhere if it's 0 deg
I wasn't saying to just plug it in for an hour or less...more along the lines of what kintla said.
The OP said it only got into the 40's. as mentioned above, I don't ever plug my truck in. It will fire up after sitting for a week or longer even when it's super cold, below zero. It may not be happy at first but it'll fire up. My truck will be over 110deg in 15 minutes or less; and i don't have an AIH or EBPV. So it's not worth it to me to pay the electric to run a block heater.
I guess it depends on a variety of factors but in the OP's current situation I would only do a few hours or not even at all, just my opinion.
However, I don't even use my block heater ever, truck will fire right up
I'm not going anywhere if it's -40 unless it's an emergency. I'm not even going anywhere if it's 0 deg
I wasn't saying to just plug it in for an hour or less...more along the lines of what kintla said.
The OP said it only got into the 40's. as mentioned above, I don't ever plug my truck in. It will fire up after sitting for a week or longer even when it's super cold, below zero. It may not be happy at first but it'll fire up. My truck will be over 110deg in 15 minutes or less; and i don't have an AIH or EBPV. So it's not worth it to me to pay the electric to run a block heater.
I guess it depends on a variety of factors but in the OP's current situation I would only do a few hours or not even at all, just my opinion.
The parking lot plugs where I'm at are all tied together and on one huge main breaker so both my trucks run block heaters and space heaters 24/7 when not in use and oil pan heater as well on the diesel. $70/month for 2 parking spots so I get my money's worth in winter lol
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,063
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From: Oologah, OK
I am in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area,
and if the temps drop below 40*F head toward 0*
I plug in the block heater the night before I know I need the truck.
it has a Thermostat controlled connector which shuts off power to the block heater at 41*F
I have a Pan heater, glued to the botom of the oil pan, if it gets really cold, I can turn that on.
3 years ago, we had a 100 year freeze, went to -20*F and stayed there for over 10 days.
the diesel slept thru that one, the gas Suburban became the horse of choice.
and if the temps drop below 40*F head toward 0*
I plug in the block heater the night before I know I need the truck.
it has a Thermostat controlled connector which shuts off power to the block heater at 41*F
I have a Pan heater, glued to the botom of the oil pan, if it gets really cold, I can turn that on.
3 years ago, we had a 100 year freeze, went to -20*F and stayed there for over 10 days.
the diesel slept thru that one, the gas Suburban became the horse of choice.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
I been plugging it in when we return from trips out so it starts at like 190 deg.. Last night was not too cold like 38 or so and when i turn on key my combo gauge comes to life and shows me temp, EGT adn boost.. the temp was showing around 125 degrees.. I would be nice if the block heater was tied to a thermostat..
currently at campground, with not many others, near mt hood and temps are heading down and snow is on the way.. nice to crank up truck and have heat. LOL..
currently at campground, with not many others, near mt hood and temps are heading down and snow is on the way.. nice to crank up truck and have heat. LOL..
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
So todaybi checked the amp draw of vlock heater. After running all night the temp was 123 deg. Amp draw was 7.6, 866 watts. Man that's bunch of amps.
If I was to a plugin all the time i would have a tstat and keep temp around 80 or so on the oil pan.
If I was to a plugin all the time i would have a tstat and keep temp around 80 or so on the oil pan.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 1,414
From: Oologah, OK
put the Extension cord on a Timer,
add this to the Oil Pan and plug in the block heater with it.
adds 150W to the block heater draw, not a bad deal at all.
set the Timer for about 3 hours before you leave.
it will be ready for you.
use a Minimum of 12 ga Heavy duty outside Extension cord.
I buy the heaviest ones I can find that the Farm stores, the one with the LED light on the end socket.
I have a Thermostatically controlled power outlet, low temp on it is 41*F
I just leave it ON and not worry about it
add this to the Oil Pan and plug in the block heater with it.
adds 150W to the block heater draw, not a bad deal at all.
set the Timer for about 3 hours before you leave.
it will be ready for you.
use a Minimum of 12 ga Heavy duty outside Extension cord.
I buy the heaviest ones I can find that the Farm stores, the one with the LED light on the end socket.
I have a Thermostatically controlled power outlet, low temp on it is 41*F
I just leave it ON and not worry about it
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