Block Heater
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
since my wife don't see the electric bill, i plug mine in when i get out of the truck at night if it's below 50 degrees and don't unplug it until i get ready to drive it the next day. i know it probably don't need that long, but it sure does make it crank better(that is when it is cranking..got to replace batt. cables) and i figure what she don't know won't hurt me. LOL
speedrdr
speedrdr
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Mackinaw, IL
When I was driving my truck every day I had mine plugged into a timer. It would turn on about an hour or so before I would want to leave. Worked great and I didn't have to worry about the electric bill.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: south jersey
i use a timer also works good!! it comes on about 2 or 3 hours before i go to work depending on what time i am leaving that day. i think anything over 3 hours is over kill. just make sure you have an extension cord atleat 12 gauge maybe even 10 if your far away from the outlet.
Last edited by brownieboy525; Nov 24, 2007 at 09:09 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Mackinaw, IL
Here is some great information about block heaters. If I remember right Dave S. is a master electrician. He and many others posted some very important information on do's and don'ts with block heaters.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...er+electrician
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...er+electrician
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Do use a short extension cord with large wires.
Don't use a very long small wire extension cord.
If the extension cord gets warm when the block heater is plugged in, the cord is to small.
12 AWG extension cords are good for less than 50 feet.
Don't use a very long small wire extension cord.
If the extension cord gets warm when the block heater is plugged in, the cord is to small.
12 AWG extension cords are good for less than 50 feet.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
it got in the low 30's last week,no problems cranking,but is it better for the truck to plug it in?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Block Heater Timer
Yeah I got a myself a heavy duty Timer and usually set it to start heating two hours before I take off in the morning. Also got a 1500 Watt cab heater on a timer. The truck is usually nice and toasty (included defrosted windshields) by the time I leave for work at 5:45am.
I don't even notice the extra electric costs with the timers the usage is negligible compared to all the benefits of a warm cab and better starting.
Seb...
I don't even notice the extra electric costs with the timers the usage is negligible compared to all the benefits of a warm cab and better starting.
Seb...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
Originally Posted by gunner 70
it got in the low 30's last week,no problems cranking,but is it better for the truck to plug it in?
I switch to 10W30 when the temp is going below 25 for several days. I also use a timer on the block heater. Don't hardly notice it on the electric bill.