Block heater question
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Leaving the ground plug unhooked could be a shocking experience, literally.
If current is leaking to the ground terminal, it is probably leaking to the engine block as well.
Since the truck is setting on rubber tires, the entire truck may be hot when the heater is plugged in.
That would take care of theives, but may not be good for you.
If current is leaking to the ground terminal, it is probably leaking to the engine block as well.
Since the truck is setting on rubber tires, the entire truck may be hot when the heater is plugged in.
That would take care of theives, but may not be good for you.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Duns, Scottish Borders
Hi, I'm an electrician to trade, not an auto electrician but then this is a mains voltage issue anyway.
!!!UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DISCONNECT THE EARTH!!! it is there to protect you, if you were to disconnect it the entire vehicle would become live!
You have an insulation breakdown somewhere between the plug and the actual heater. The plug and cable are a possibility if they have been badly wired or there is damage but my guess is that the heater element has failed and gone to ground.
The meter you need is an insulation tester not an ohm meter, any decent local domestic electrician should have one and I would make that your first call as they're not cheap to buy.
Where is the block heater to be found, is it easy to access?
Your calculations are all correct regarding wattage and current drawn but you should have almost infinate resistance between any of the conductors and earth/ground. Here in the UK our mains voltage is 240V and our circuits have to be insulation tested at 500v and there must be a resistance between
!!!UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DISCONNECT THE EARTH!!! it is there to protect you, if you were to disconnect it the entire vehicle would become live!
You have an insulation breakdown somewhere between the plug and the actual heater. The plug and cable are a possibility if they have been badly wired or there is damage but my guess is that the heater element has failed and gone to ground.
The meter you need is an insulation tester not an ohm meter, any decent local domestic electrician should have one and I would make that your first call as they're not cheap to buy.
Where is the block heater to be found, is it easy to access?
Your calculations are all correct regarding wattage and current drawn but you should have almost infinate resistance between any of the conductors and earth/ground. Here in the UK our mains voltage is 240V and our circuits have to be insulation tested at 500v and there must be a resistance between
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Duns, Scottish Borders
conductor and earth of at least 1megohm (1,000,000 OHMS) your ohmmeter can not read those values seek an electrician or replace the whole lot element to plug if thats going to work out cheaper.
Bryan
Bryan
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
From: Kent WA
OK, well, I think I'll start with removing the cord and seeing if it has a short. If so, I'll replace or repair it. If not, I'll probably bag the whole idea of repairing it - since I have it starting on the glowplugs now, and the block heater is NOT readily accessable (have to remove the starter to replace it)...
Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted on what I find.
Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted on what I find.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Block heaters are usually around 50 dollars for the 1000 watt version.
Yes changing it is a pain, you always wear some coolant when you pull it out.
But if does make it a lot easier on the starter if temps get very low.
Yes changing it is a pain, you always wear some coolant when you pull it out.
But if does make it a lot easier on the starter if temps get very low.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,175
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From: Kent WA
Yeah that is the one thing that makes the constant rain in Seattle bearable - moderate temperatures. It hardly ever gets below feezing for more than a few days at a time here, and hardly ever breaks 95 for more than a few days at a time in the summer...
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
From: woodville, tx
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
In an ideal world, no it should not be warm.
If you have a 1000 watt block heater you need at least a 12 AWG extension cord if it is 50 feet long.
One of the most common things I see is a cord with conductors way to small powering block heaters.
If you have a 1000 watt block heater you need at least a 12 AWG extension cord if it is 50 feet long.
One of the most common things I see is a cord with conductors way to small powering block heaters.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
But remember, 16 AWG 100 foot long extension cord is actually a 200 foot circuit.
Add to that the lenght from the breaker panel to the outlet you are plugging into and back.
1000/115=8.69 amps at 200 feet is 10 AWG.
And to make it even more complicated, I have seen block heater with wattages from 600 to 1500 at AP stores, yours could be any of them.
Add to that the lenght from the breaker panel to the outlet you are plugging into and back.
1000/115=8.69 amps at 200 feet is 10 AWG.
And to make it even more complicated, I have seen block heater with wattages from 600 to 1500 at AP stores, yours could be any of them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
For some reason the block heater end of the cord is molded so it puts a hard bend in the cord, common place for broken conductors.
Check near the fan and belts for cord damage.
Also right at the plug is a common place for cord damage.
Check near the fan and belts for cord damage.
Also right at the plug is a common place for cord damage.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 2
From: BC Canada
This will not help your block heater issues.
But the stick on, or magnetic oil pan heaters work great, and also warm the oil making it crank easier.
I had one one my last 3 Ford diesel trucks, and prefer them over a block heater.
And since warmth rises, your heating from the bottom up, where usually the oil stay icy cold.
But the stick on, or magnetic oil pan heaters work great, and also warm the oil making it crank easier.
I had one one my last 3 Ford diesel trucks, and prefer them over a block heater.
And since warmth rises, your heating from the bottom up, where usually the oil stay icy cold.
