Block heater timing
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Lynden, WA.
I use an analog timer on a 15amp circuit for 3-4 hours when the temps are below freezing. Seems to do the trick. It actually warms it up enough where it's at a temperature that the engine isn't at a perfect temperature to be running.
Let's face it, every engine before it warms up completely goes through a stage where it's not running most efficiently. But... using the block heater does allow less time for complete engine warm up. In the morning's that's nice.
I live on a rural hiway, where I need to get up to speed pretty quickly. I don't like pushing a cold engine, gas or diesel, to do that when it's cold. We will all get more longevity out of our engines if we let them warm to near optimum operating temperature before mashing the pedal to the floor.
-Steve
Let's face it, every engine before it warms up completely goes through a stage where it's not running most efficiently. But... using the block heater does allow less time for complete engine warm up. In the morning's that's nice.
I live on a rural hiway, where I need to get up to speed pretty quickly. I don't like pushing a cold engine, gas or diesel, to do that when it's cold. We will all get more longevity out of our engines if we let them warm to near optimum operating temperature before mashing the pedal to the floor.
-Steve
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
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From: Eastern CT.
I've just started using the block heater on my 06' PSD,,I checked the engine after 2 hours of plugging it in,,feel the top of engine and hose,,it's kinda warm after 2 hours, so thats not to bad for around 10 degrees outside. I just run my extension cord right into the kitchen, under the door weather strip (rather flat extension cord) plug it in roughly 2 hours before I leave,,works well,,I also notice that my cord plug (in the house) is rather warm when I un-plug it,,,so the heater must be around 1500 watts or so.
Started the truck yesterday, 20 degrees not plugged-in,,fires right up,,only plug it in if its going to be in the single digits or lower.
Started the truck yesterday, 20 degrees not plugged-in,,fires right up,,only plug it in if its going to be in the single digits or lower.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Originally Posted by m350
I've just started using the block heater on my 06' PSD,,I checked the engine after 2 hours of plugging it in,,feel the top of engine and hose,,it's kinda warm after 2 hours, so thats not to bad for around 10 degrees outside. I just run my extension cord right into the kitchen, under the door weather strip (rather flat extension cord) plug it in roughly 2 hours before I leave,,works well,,I also notice that my cord plug (in the house) is rather warm when I un-plug it,,,so the heater must be around 1500 watts or so.
Started the truck yesterday, 20 degrees not plugged-in,,fires right up,,only plug it in if its going to be in the single digits or lower.
Started the truck yesterday, 20 degrees not plugged-in,,fires right up,,only plug it in if its going to be in the single digits or lower.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,016
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From: Lynden, WA.
I'm not sure of the actual wattage, but I'm sure it's well over 1100. If you've got a GFCI that's tripping, if it's only after a few seconds or even minutes, I'd think about replacing that outlet. I have one in my down stairs bathroom that's started tripping on it's own without a load down stream. Time to replace.
I installed an outdoor outlet at the front of my garage, (truck doesn't fit in garage), with an analog timer from the local hardware store. My cord is a 9 foot 10ga. and seems to handle the load just fine. The circuit is 15amps. This circuit is on a GFCI with both utility outlets and flourescent lighting consisting of four resesed 4' dual element fixtures. When the lights are on, with the heater on, the breaker or GFCI aren't tripping.
-Steve
I installed an outdoor outlet at the front of my garage, (truck doesn't fit in garage), with an analog timer from the local hardware store. My cord is a 9 foot 10ga. and seems to handle the load just fine. The circuit is 15amps. This circuit is on a GFCI with both utility outlets and flourescent lighting consisting of four resesed 4' dual element fixtures. When the lights are on, with the heater on, the breaker or GFCI aren't tripping.
-Steve
Last edited by jackofalltrades; Feb 2, 2007 at 04:13 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Eastern CT.
The extension cord I am using is # 12 stranded wire, rather flat,,,was old submersible pump wire, nice and flexible, it's the type with the Black rubber Romex like casing ,,and about 47' long. Makes great extension cords.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 491
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From: NJ
i also have mine on a timer and anything under 32 degrees, i just plug it in. it'll save the glow plugs in the long run and you get heat faster and it never runs rough when i start it up, i'm using 1540 rotella cj4 and it's been in the teens some mornings, i have the timer go on at 3am and goes off at 8, but normally, im gone before that. so 3 hours is fine.
why waste electricity, it's not just about saving money but just not using electricity when you don't need to. i used to plug my 97 in all night until i realized how much it draws for watts. i think I read in another thread that it's 1800? maybe that's too high but I know it's up there.
make sure you have a heavy duty timer. i use a thick well insulated cold weather cord too, that i made myself from an electrical supply store. stays flexible even when it's super cold.
why waste electricity, it's not just about saving money but just not using electricity when you don't need to. i used to plug my 97 in all night until i realized how much it draws for watts. i think I read in another thread that it's 1800? maybe that's too high but I know it's up there.
make sure you have a heavy duty timer. i use a thick well insulated cold weather cord too, that i made myself from an electrical supply store. stays flexible even when it's super cold.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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I also use a timer on the GFI outlet that I use to power the block heater. I also wired the oil pan heater (Wolverine model 16, 250 watts) into the same plug that I plug the extension cord into. I have it set up to run about three hours when I go out to start it up. I'm going to wire up a Marinco plug for a better installation once it warms up a bit.
I figure that I'm pulling about twelve amps using both heaters, and I'm using a 12 gauge extension cord. So far everything works great and it's a very noticable difference when I start up in the morning after having the truck plugged in overnight. I plug in the truck when I get home from work in the evening and don't think about it anymore, and I'm only using about three hours of electricity.
It works for me.
Just my .02 cents.
I figure that I'm pulling about twelve amps using both heaters, and I'm using a 12 gauge extension cord. So far everything works great and it's a very noticable difference when I start up in the morning after having the truck plugged in overnight. I plug in the truck when I get home from work in the evening and don't think about it anymore, and I'm only using about three hours of electricity.
It works for me.
Just my .02 cents.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
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From: BC Canada
Check out Beachbumcook's set up. A Marinco plug ties block heater and 200 watt oil pan heater to one plug. 3 hours and you have warm oil and coolant, limited electricity waste if you use a timer. Oh yeah and here in Canada, we dont plug in till -20 Celcius, and we run 10w30 or 0w40. You can tow with both when temp doesnt go above 40 F degrees. You only need 15w40 if you are towing at above 90 F. I have had to start my truck at -45 Celcius, it was rough, but it will start. If you are having trouble at 20 F, you have other issues to review.