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This is a just for fun out of curiosity test… Ive seen a few times online people asking how long for block heater to be plugged in.
This was 4 hours plugged in. 0c / 32f.
It was 0c / 32f last Sunday morning, so I thought I’d plug in the block heater and see how long for what temps. It was cold soaked, outside, had not been running in several days. No other heat, just ambient temps and the stock element block heater. Calm day, no wind, temps dropped to -2c/28f at 9am, and rose to 3c/37f when I was finished at 12 noon.
I checked the oil pan with an infrared thermometer at the bottom of the pan, and 6” up the pan. (Edit: I checked the oil pan readings after the 4 hrs plugged in).
I started at 8am, check it at 8:30, then on the hour. I’d have let it go longer, but needed to use it. As temps fall this winter, I’ll do it again a few times out of curiosity at colder temps.
Next time I’ll check one of the heads with the infrared thermometer as well, and side of the block.
Bottom of the pan. 0c / 31.3f. Oil pan Temp reading taken after the 4hrs.
I never took any measurements, but I survived 40 years in alaska, 10 years owning a 7.3.
My 'rule of thumb' was to plug it in 2 hours before I wanted to start it if it was under 32*, and 4 hours if it was 20* (fahrenheit).
I used a timer that I would set when I plugged the truck in the previous night.
If it was going to be 0 or below, I left it plugged in all night.
I've found that my 6.0 starts a bit better in the cold, but I hate cold starts so I don't think I'd change anything below 20*.
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