Block heater question
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From: The Wilderness
Block heater question
For those of you that are in a climate that you use your block heaters, how long is it safe to leave them connected? I have never used mine before, but I thought I would try it out. We had a high of 15 today, low of -20 this morning, and winter is just starting!
How long is too long to leave them connected? Will leaving them connected for a while burn anything out? I was thinking about plugging it in in the evening and taking off in the morning.
How long is too long to leave them connected? Will leaving them connected for a while burn anything out? I was thinking about plugging it in in the evening and taking off in the morning.
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From: The Wilderness
Thanks, I have never had a problem starting it in subzero weather, but I was just thinking that it would help save on wear to have things warmed up a bit. What actually is heated by the block heater? The block itself? the coolant? the oil?
I know that they make those magnetic oil heaters, do those do the same as the built in block heater, or does the factory block heater just warm the block?
I know that they make those magnetic oil heaters, do those do the same as the built in block heater, or does the factory block heater just warm the block?
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From: Southeast Idaho
I've left them plugged in for 3-4 days before. A quality block heater can be left connected 24/7. Back-up generators do it all the time and some of them will keep the water around 160 deg.
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i'm not going to get into a numbers argument, but from an economic standpoint seems like leaving it plugged in all night would be a waste of electricity. i could see setting a timer to go on an hour or two before you get up or whatever.
it's only going to be able to keep so much warm for 12 hours. is another 10 hours really worth it?
it's only going to be able to keep so much warm for 12 hours. is another 10 hours really worth it?
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From: The Wilderness
I was thinking about that, but I dont have a timer and was just more worried about whether or not I would melt anything by leaving it plugged in for extended periods of time.
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
You could get a factory block heater for a 351?! My brother's diesel has one, but I thought it was only a diesel thing... Was this strictly an option or do I have a plug dangling somewhere that I never saw before?!
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by joshdvirnak
I was thinking about that, but I dont have a timer and was just more worried about whether or not I would melt anything by leaving it plugged in for extended periods of time.
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From: The Wilderness
It was an option, check and see if you have the plug. Being a cali model, I doubt it though, why the hell would it!?!?! 
I dont want to hear any more from you and your 80 degree winter crap, Chris.
I dont want to hear any more from you and your 80 degree winter crap, Chris.
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by joshdvirnak
It was an option, check and see if you have the plug. Being a cali model, I doubt it though, why the hell would it!?!?!
I dont want to hear any more from you and your 80 degree winter crap, Chris.
I dont want to hear any more from you and your 80 degree winter crap, Chris.
My mom's fountain in the backyard froze a layer 3 inches thick last year. I know I wouldn't have much a use for it here but it would be nice for when I spend the weekend snowboarding up in Tahoe
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From: The Wilderness
Originally Posted by Skandocious
My mom's fountain in the backyard froze a layer 3 inches thick last year.