Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Plug-In

Old Nov 4, 2008 | 10:05 AM
  #1  
Jay Banks's Avatar
Jay Banks
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Plug-In

Ok, thanks to this site I found that my truck has a plug in to keep her warm. Do you all keep yours plugged in all night long or should I set it up on a timer? If you do leave it plugged in without a timer will it hurt it?
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 01:42 PM
  #2  
jmaskew's Avatar
jmaskew
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
I have left mine plugged in all night it doesn't hurt anything. Some members on here recommend a timer and set it 2-3 hours before you leave this way you save on your power bill.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 02:04 PM
  #3  
FlyCanadianGuy's Avatar
FlyCanadianGuy
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, AB
I leave my Toyota and V-10 F350 All night long without problems. It can hit -40 celsius here some nights, so I'm wondering if 2-3 hours is enough for the 6.0L. I'll let you know in about 2 months. :P
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 02:37 PM
  #4  
Jay Banks's Avatar
Jay Banks
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Thanks for the reply. How much does it draw for power. I would not think it would be more than a 60 watt bulb, but then again this is all new to me.
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 03:11 PM
  #5  
riggz's Avatar
riggz
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
Originally Posted by Jay Banks
Thanks for the reply. How much does it draw for power. I would not think it would be more than a 60 watt bulb, but then again this is all new to me.
Thanks
Quite a bit more than a 60watt bulb. The block heater is 1000watts which = about 8.3 amps.

So if you used it for 8 hours that would = 8kWh which would = anywhere from $0.50 - $1.00 a night on your power bill depending upon your rates.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 05:11 PM
  #6  
EOD Guy's Avatar
EOD Guy
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Thanks Riggs, I was wondering about the draw.
 
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2008 | 02:15 PM
  #7  
rgonot's Avatar
rgonot
Senior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
I leave mine plugged in all night but dont start until the temp is at or below 20 deg reg. If the temp varies I do the timer. If you do the timer you may look into a cab heater. When I lived in Alaska it sure made it nice to climb into a warm cab in the morning (all windows defrosted too)
 
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2008 | 05:00 PM
  #8  
zhilton's Avatar
zhilton
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,604
Likes: 4
From: Claremore, OK
I leave my plugged in when the temps drop below 50F...because I live by the belief that a warm block functions better than a cold block...and I don't like to wait for my motor to warm up. Though I used to be professional steering wheel holder and the company used to beat it into our heads that warm block/oil is allot better for the life of the truck (and lower cost in the long run) so that is how we ran our company trucks...both Caterpillar & PowerStroke powered trucks.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 5, 2008 | 06:43 PM
  #9  
tex25025's Avatar
tex25025
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
If you also go with synthetic oil that helps with the colder starts as well. Synthetics due better in the cold versus the regular dino oil. Just some other stuff to think about doing.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:46 PM
  #10  
ingman's Avatar
ingman
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 20
From: brigham city Utah
I run mine on a timer (3 hours) just because in my old 7.3 I was told the block heater will last longer if it's ran less.
Just my two cents.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 05:56 PM
  #11  
unrulee's Avatar
unrulee
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 0
From: Coal Country, ND
Originally Posted by rgonot
I leave mine plugged in all night but dont start until the temp is at or below 20 deg reg. If the temp varies I do the timer. If you do the timer you may look into a cab heater. When I lived in Alaska it sure made it nice to climb into a warm cab in the morning (all windows defrosted too)

A timer will pay for itself over the course of one winter. Do it. Having the block heater on all night does nothing but run the light bill up. I usually set my timer for 4hrs before I drive the truck.

And as rgonot said look into a cab heater. I remember my dad installing them in all of our vehicles when I was a kid.


It's great to climb into a warm cab with no ice on the windows, one time and you'll be hooked for life !
 
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:42 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE