Block heater usage
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
From: South Park, Colorado
Block heater usage
Yet another newbie question from me
How cold does it need to be to plug my truck in? Is it okay for it to be plugged in all night? Does block heater usage decrease warm up time? I noticed on the couple of somewhat cold nights - 20 deg - we have had the truck takes quite a few miles to warm up.
How cold does it need to be to plug my truck in? Is it okay for it to be plugged in all night? Does block heater usage decrease warm up time? I noticed on the couple of somewhat cold nights - 20 deg - we have had the truck takes quite a few miles to warm up.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 13,011
Likes: 742
From: Here in No. Calif
you can turn heat dial to hot and defroster on so heat will escape and help keep the windshield clear as well. Leave on all night is fine or get yourself a heavyduty outdoor timer and you can set for how long as you like,4 hrs or so
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Connecticut
Im a newbie ,first winter with a diesel.. But If you are paying the electric I wouldnt plug it in all night. Maybe put it on a timer 1 or 2 hours prior to leaving. 1500 watt heater costs some dollars to run all night.. Someone who knows more correct me if im wrong..
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
The heater draws around 1000 watts constant. It doesn't go down as the truck warms up. Both my dad and myself have timers installed on the outlets where we plug in. The come on about 3 hours before we usually leave for work. If you get one of those plug in timers, make sure its rated for 15 amps for safety reasons and that you're using at least a 14awg cord or larger (lower number) if your cord is over 20 feet. Some people might think thats overkill on a cord, but I know of one guy who burned his garage down using a small cord. The timers we use are 20amp hard wired Intermatic timers. Lowes and Home Depot sell them.
You can plug in whenever you'd like and 24 hours a day if you want. When electric is free (a.k.a at work haha), I plug in my truck when it dips below 40. At home we usually wait till its 30 or lower.
Also check to make sure that the blades on your plug are clean and that it stays plugged in tight. If the end of the cord on the truck is heating up, you probably have a wire that's partially broken and should replace the plug.
You can plug in whenever you'd like and 24 hours a day if you want. When electric is free (a.k.a at work haha), I plug in my truck when it dips below 40. At home we usually wait till its 30 or lower.
Also check to make sure that the blades on your plug are clean and that it stays plugged in tight. If the end of the cord on the truck is heating up, you probably have a wire that's partially broken and should replace the plug.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
From: Mattawa Washington.
They can be plugged in any or all the time. Our ambulances are plugged in 24/7 but that is because there is no time for warmup, when we leave the bay it is usually full throttle. And the few times the heater has failed it sucked waiting for warm up and trying to get down the road in a hurry.And our ambulances are housed inside. But that is going to use more electricity.
We plug our semi's in during the winter and they are on there own power meter, with 2 trucks plugged in the bill was 40.00 per mth. so 20 bucks per mth. for 14 hrs per. day per trk.
We plug our semi's in during the winter and they are on there own power meter, with 2 trucks plugged in the bill was 40.00 per mth. so 20 bucks per mth. for 14 hrs per. day per trk.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
From: South Park, Colorado
Thanks for the feedback. Electricity is included in my rent so I think I will keep her plugged in at night now that it is cooling off.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Good idea... I have a PSD 7.3 as well since 99. everytime below zero celcius it's plugged in all night. definatley helps your engine and will increase life.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 2
From: Monroe Michigan
Here is what alot of us have done with are heater plug.
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
Now I have an outdoor timer and I set it to go off 3 hours before I leave for work. IF its super super cold outside (negative temps) you'll benefit from plugging it in for a longer amount of time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 8
From: Williams Lake B.C.
The amount of electric these things use plugged in is nothing, compared to everything else on them that costs!
If you can afford to buy fuel for the guzzlers ,and afford parts whats a little more expense to make them last longer ?
If you can afford to buy fuel for the guzzlers ,and afford parts whats a little more expense to make them last longer ?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 2
From: Monroe Michigan
I bought mine from my local marina. But here is where you can order one. Onboard Charger Inlet
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,916
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From: Bellingham, WA
Nope, you're correct. Ran the numbers once and found out it was costing me about $35 a month to plug the truck in for 7 hours at night 5 days a week, and that was several years ago!
Now I have an outdoor timer and I set it to go off 3 hours before I leave for work. IF its super super cold outside (negative temps) you'll benefit from plugging it in for a longer amount of time.
Now I have an outdoor timer and I set it to go off 3 hours before I leave for work. IF its super super cold outside (negative temps) you'll benefit from plugging it in for a longer amount of time.