Timer for block heater?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Taylorsville, KY
Timer for block heater?
Hey guys, I have heard several of ya'll talk about timers for your engine block heaters. Where did you get it or did you make it out of something. I need one cause our utility bills are getting high.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Personally, most timers you get from your home center are going to be 15 amp, but in reality that won't be a big deal because your outlets in your house/garage are only rated for 15 amps.
The ones I checked out are all rated at least 1750 watts, more then enough to power the 1000 watt block heater on my truck.
Just make sure it has a 3 prong grounding plug in it. Walmart and Home Depot have them for 10 bucks. Walmart had a nice digital one for $15
My problem is the heater is popping the GFCI in my garage. Someone suggested trying a normal outlet without gfi so I will do that.
http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=201
Mike
The ones I checked out are all rated at least 1750 watts, more then enough to power the 1000 watt block heater on my truck.
Just make sure it has a 3 prong grounding plug in it. Walmart and Home Depot have them for 10 bucks. Walmart had a nice digital one for $15
My problem is the heater is popping the GFCI in my garage. Someone suggested trying a normal outlet without gfi so I will do that.
http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=201
Mike
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
And while you are doing all this remember to get a good (at least 12 guage for 50 feet or less) extension cord. A small wire size will kill your block heater way before it's time.
If you look at your wire to the truck and all the ice and snow is melted around it, then it is to small of a conductor in it.
If you look at your wire to the truck and all the ice and snow is melted around it, then it is to small of a conductor in it.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Québec
Mine is a NOMA for outside, works good. You can also have a block heater that starts and stop by itself, like a thermostat it will turn on when the antifreeze is at -5 Celcius, and turn off when warmer. I do not know who sells them but it is a good system.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
If you feel ambitous and have the money you could pick up a Intermatic 24 hour timer and remote bulb thermostat from somewhere like grainger, mount them on the wall in the garage, hardwire the feed and outlet for 15 amp. Extend the remote bulb capillary outside and have a system that only heats the block at a cretain time period and only when its cold enough. All you need to do is remember to plug it in. Definatly use a #12 extension cord as its good for about 25 amps and will reduce the voltage drop at the heater. System would cost about $135.00 US.
I could dig up grainger part numbers if anyone wants to know them.
Jim
I could dig up grainger part numbers if anyone wants to know them.
Jim
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Man, I like that idea. I think I will start to compile that info. If you got time, fire out what you think part for the remote bulb timer is. I can get the timer bout anywhere.
I am just trying to get it set in my head how to wire it. Does the line go to the timer first or to the bulb? I presume the bulb, but then the timer wouldn't have power to run, therefore it must be the timer first, then the bulb then the outlet. Right?
Thanks,
Mike
I am just trying to get it set in my head how to wire it. Does the line go to the timer first or to the bulb? I presume the bulb, but then the timer wouldn't have power to run, therefore it must be the timer first, then the bulb then the outlet. Right?
Thanks,
Mike
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Mike, use a Grainger part number 4E047 remote bulb tstat, $47.70 in their book and a Grainger 24 hour timer P#2E021 at $48.15in their book. Tstat is rated 22 amps and timer is rated 40 amps.
circuit looks something like this.
!
! 120v L1 Neutral L2 !
! !
! _____ !
! TSTAT TIMER ! 0 ! OUTSIDE !
!---------!/ !--------------! !-------------------!--! !-!-----------------!
! OPEN ON TEMP RISE !____! RECEPTICLE !
! !
Set timer to close contacts(go on) at a time about 3 hours before you need the truck. or as you like.
The typical amperage draw of a 1000 watt heater is 8.3 amps at 120 volt. I could probably write all this up with real drawings and put it in the artical section.
Jim
circuit looks something like this.
!
! 120v L1 Neutral L2 !
! !
! _____ !
! TSTAT TIMER ! 0 ! OUTSIDE !
!---------!/ !--------------! !-------------------!--! !-!-----------------!
! OPEN ON TEMP RISE !____! RECEPTICLE !
! !
Set timer to close contacts(go on) at a time about 3 hours before you need the truck. or as you like.
The typical amperage draw of a 1000 watt heater is 8.3 amps at 120 volt. I could probably write all this up with real drawings and put it in the artical section.
Jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Definitely run to the timer first, then the thermostat, then the outlet for the truck.
You can mount the thermostat outside in a weather proof box above the outlet. This will save you dollars and another hole in you wall and siding.
You just have to watch an see the low temp cut on is low enough for what you want. Any good electrical supply place should have several models.
Just the timer will save you a bunch of dollars, if it is not going to be cold do not plug it in.
If it is going to be below 35 plug it in to the timer, instant defrost upon starting.
You can mount the thermostat outside in a weather proof box above the outlet. This will save you dollars and another hole in you wall and siding.
You just have to watch an see the low temp cut on is low enough for what you want. Any good electrical supply place should have several models.
Just the timer will save you a bunch of dollars, if it is not going to be cold do not plug it in.
If it is going to be below 35 plug it in to the timer, instant defrost upon starting.