Newbie questions
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Newbie questions
I recently bought 86 6.9 f250, I live in Michigan and its starting to get cold. It has a block heater ? How long does it need to be plugged in to be of help, 2 hours or overnight? How much power does it use, is it like leaving a 40 watt bulb on or is it like an air conditioner?
Do I leave it plugged in when I first start it up?
I have run some B100 thru it and it seemed to run smoother, can I run B20 all winter and are there any fuel additives specifically for biodiesel?
I had the exhaust replaced and they switched me to duals (cheaper than the crossover)
any Help will be appreciated.
thanks
CoachZ
Do I leave it plugged in when I first start it up?
I have run some B100 thru it and it seemed to run smoother, can I run B20 all winter and are there any fuel additives specifically for biodiesel?
I had the exhaust replaced and they switched me to duals (cheaper than the crossover)
any Help will be appreciated.
thanks
CoachZ
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Sandy Lake, MB
Im living in manitoba and it is hitting about -10. I plug my truck in for about an hour and she starts right up. If i dont plug it in it will crank, fire, crank, fire and then go. My electricity bill doesnt go through the roof if i leave it on overnight so i dont think its that bad.
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From: Kent WA
Originally Posted by CoachZ
....I had the exhaust replaced and they switched me to duals (cheaper than the crossover)
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From: south jersey
the block heater will not hurt the motor if its pluged in all night it will only hurt your walet. if you leave at the same time every morning you might want to think about getting a timer (i got mine from home depot about $20 ) if you leave it on for 2 - 3 hours you should be good to go in the morning when you leave. you dont have to leave it plugged in to start it up
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From: Kent WA
Yeah, but you want to make sure the timer is rated for the wattage of the block heater. Those timers can be dangerous if overloaded (can you say electrical fire?)
Most block heaters seem to be between 600 and 1600 watts. Dunno' the exact wattage on the stock ones. But that means you need a timer that will handle the wattage - which means one that will handle at least 6-15 amps of current. I'd get a 20 amp unit just to be on the safe side.
I bought a 30 amp 7-day programmable timer to run the pump on our little swimming pool for $15
Most block heaters seem to be between 600 and 1600 watts. Dunno' the exact wattage on the stock ones. But that means you need a timer that will handle the wattage - which means one that will handle at least 6-15 amps of current. I'd get a 20 amp unit just to be on the safe side.
I bought a 30 amp 7-day programmable timer to run the pump on our little swimming pool for $15
Last edited by CheaperJeeper; Oct 25, 2006 at 06:20 PM.
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From: Monroe, WA
I'll go one further than brownieboy, make sure to unplug the heater before you start it. It's hard on them to go from hot to cold when it fires up. I'm trying to remember how many watts the heaters are. I think they're 600 watts. An hour to two is usually enough to start the most stuborn engine.
I'm not going to be any help on Bio, don't like the stuff.
I'm not going to be any help on Bio, don't like the stuff.
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
The block heater has most likely been changed several times since 86.
I have seen them anywhere from 500 watts to 1500 watts.
The one I am running right now is a 1000 watt job from NAPA.
I have a timed receptical on the end of my garage that I plug into.
The outlet turns on two hours before my normal leave time, but since I also plow snow I have a regular receptical that is always on, when it is snowing the block heater is on all night so I am ready to roll when the snow gets deep enough or the phone rings to go plow.
When you plug in don't forget the extension cord. One of those cheapie 16 AWG cords is not going to work, may catch on fire and it is also hard on the block heater. A 12 AWG cord is only good for 50 feet with a bigger watt heater.
I have seen them anywhere from 500 watts to 1500 watts.
The one I am running right now is a 1000 watt job from NAPA.
I have a timed receptical on the end of my garage that I plug into.
The outlet turns on two hours before my normal leave time, but since I also plow snow I have a regular receptical that is always on, when it is snowing the block heater is on all night so I am ready to roll when the snow gets deep enough or the phone rings to go plow.
When you plug in don't forget the extension cord. One of those cheapie 16 AWG cords is not going to work, may catch on fire and it is also hard on the block heater. A 12 AWG cord is only good for 50 feet with a bigger watt heater.
