Engine block heater question
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 51
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From: Springfield, OR
So far in Oregon, temps have been down into the low 30's. So right now I am experimenting with 4-6 hours to see what is the right amount of time. 5 hours seems to be the ticket right now. I am working down to 4 hours next week, then 3 the week after. After that, I will see what worked the best for the truck. Good luck!
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
There is another thread regarding this topic in the past week or so...
The wattage pulled by the heater is +1,000 watts and 3 hours is about right. However, leaving plugged in all night is not a problem, but some would say it is a waste of energy and undo usage of your heater element.
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Good luck,
The wattage pulled by the heater is +1,000 watts and 3 hours is about right. However, leaving plugged in all night is not a problem, but some would say it is a waste of energy and undo usage of your heater element.
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Good luck,
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,362
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
There is another thread regarding this topic in the past week or so...
The wattage pulled by the heater is +1,000 watts and 3 hours is about right. However, leaving plugged in all night is not a problem, but some would say it is a waste of energy and undo usage of your heater element.
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Good luck,
The wattage pulled by the heater is +1,000 watts and 3 hours is about right. However, leaving plugged in all night is not a problem, but some would say it is a waste of energy and undo usage of your heater element.
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Good luck,
Mine gets plugged in the moment I pull in the garage, and doesn't get unplugged until I leave...it has been on for as long as 3 days straight...
Haven't seen the power bill yet....hmmm
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
MikeWRT wrote the following post in an old thread started on 11/17/04
I have cut and pasted his mathimatical calculations...
The heater draws around 8.5 amps. The heater is around a 14 ohm resistive load.
V=I*R ====> 120V/14 = about 8.5 amps
This then equals over 1000 watts of power.
Power = V*I ====> 120V*8.5 = 1020 watts
______________________________________
Hope this helps,
Jeff
I have cut and pasted his mathimatical calculations...
The heater draws around 8.5 amps. The heater is around a 14 ohm resistive load.
V=I*R ====> 120V/14 = about 8.5 amps
This then equals over 1000 watts of power.
Power = V*I ====> 120V*8.5 = 1020 watts
______________________________________
Hope this helps,
Jeff
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Duncan
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Tell you what.....If you have a generator that powers at least 2000 watts.....use your generator, keep the electric bill down......thats what I do.....and it doesn't use much as far as fuel consumption. Just my one cent.
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Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by csherman4383
Tell you what.....If you have a generator that powers at least 2000 watts.....use your generator, keep the electric bill down......thats what I do.....and it doesn't use much as far as fuel consumption. Just my one cent.
Cost to buy - already justified to wife (TO LATE ITS DONE)!!!
Gasoline - Must fill with a gallon or two (have to buy and refill).
Storage - Must exhaust outside or run outside - hassel in cold weather.
Oil changes - Must change generator oil no and then (cold and dirty).
For the few hours a day (on a timer if need be) it would seem that your electric costs would be less if not the same and save the wear and tear on the generator and save it for true power outages.
Seems like overkill and "wired thinking" to me... but what the heck, your entitled to your wrong opinion... it is America (just funning with ya).
Thanks,
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 226
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From: Utah Currently
Depends on the location and temperature. At 20 above we plug in for a couple of hours, at -20 below we leave it plugged in at least 4 hours if not all the time. This is Alaska though and you will get various opinions. :-)
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,016
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From: Lynden, WA.
Yes! Long extension cord hung over drivers mirror!
Grounded extension cord.
I've been leaving my heater plugged in for 4 hours. Working just fine with temps in the high 30's at night. Wish I had an outlet at work.
Here's the thread and poll I started some time ago.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=307271
I've been leaving my heater plugged in for 4 hours. Working just fine with temps in the high 30's at night. Wish I had an outlet at work.
Here's the thread and poll I started some time ago.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=307271
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 208
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From: MD
Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
There is another thread regarding this topic in the past week or so...
The wattage pulled by the heater is +1,000 watts and 3 hours is about right. However, leaving plugged in all night is not a problem, but some would say it is a waste of energy and undo usage of your heater element.
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Good luck,
The wattage pulled by the heater is +1,000 watts and 3 hours is about right. However, leaving plugged in all night is not a problem, but some would say it is a waste of energy and undo usage of your heater element.
If you use an extension cord, make sure it capable of the wattage draw and if using a timer, use a 3-plug grounded unit rated for +1,000 watts.
Good luck,
Wouldn't the same hold true for the heater in the truck. If the heater is pluged in it would not continue to throw 1000 watts of juice to the block if it is heated to a certain temp. wouldnt that be a safety hazzard if it did.So if the block heater cuts off and turns on at pre-set temps would that not make a timer redundant and unnessasary?
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Savage Sam,
saw these in Toronto recently, triggers by ambient
temp, but @ $ 140.00 each, now if FTE was to offer a group buy...........??
http://www.iplc.com/index.html
saw these in Toronto recently, triggers by ambient
temp, but @ $ 140.00 each, now if FTE was to offer a group buy...........??
http://www.iplc.com/index.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,011
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Originally Posted by ultraclassic
If the heater is pluged in it would not continue to throw 1000 watts of juice to the block if it is heated to a certain temp. wouldnt that be a safety hazzard if it did.So if the block heater cuts off and turns on at pre-set temps would that not make a timer redundant and unnessasary?
Duncan
