New toy for winter
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1
From: Rogue River, OR
New toy for winter
I found this little gadget in a major plumbing store. it's a thermostatically controlled outlet. Handy to plug your block heater into. When the temperature drops to a certain temp it automatically turns on whatever is plugged into it and will shut itself off when a warmer, predetermined temp is reached.
I don't experience many super cold nights in Southern Oregon but during the winter I do keep a 100 watt light bulb burning 24/7 so as the well house don't freeze. In goes this little dude.
It can be purchased in a variety of temps. I paid something like $10.99 for this one and it goes on at 35* and off at 45*
Rog
Draw Layout Cell
I don't experience many super cold nights in Southern Oregon but during the winter I do keep a 100 watt light bulb burning 24/7 so as the well house don't freeze. In goes this little dude.
It can be purchased in a variety of temps. I paid something like $10.99 for this one and it goes on at 35* and off at 45*
Rog
Draw Layout Cell
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
Hey Rog, I'm understanding the words, but I'm having difficulty seeing this setup in my mind.
Would you post some pix with everything hooked up so I can see what you're talking about? If it's what I'm thinking, I may hafta go to the store and get one.
I had some 30-amp outlets installed outside so I could plug in the trailer and I have an adapter to plug in a 'standard' extension cord into the 30-amp outlet.
I'm thinking I could attach the adapter to your new toy gadget, plug that into the 30-amp outlet and attach the block heater cord to the gadget. Does that sound about right?
Would you post some pix with everything hooked up so I can see what you're talking about? If it's what I'm thinking, I may hafta go to the store and get one.
I had some 30-amp outlets installed outside so I could plug in the trailer and I have an adapter to plug in a 'standard' extension cord into the 30-amp outlet.
I'm thinking I could attach the adapter to your new toy gadget, plug that into the 30-amp outlet and attach the block heater cord to the gadget. Does that sound about right?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
Plenty of wattage. but if block heater sucking 20 amps, that might not be pretty after a while.
Craig.
What he has is like a timer for an electrical socket. Except instead of turning on at a certain time, and off at a certain time.
it turns on and off with the temperature that it is reading.
So does anyone know how many amps the block heater draws?
If its enough to make my heavy duty cord I have get warm, I'm sure its drawing a lot.
Craig.
What he has is like a timer for an electrical socket. Except instead of turning on at a certain time, and off at a certain time.
it turns on and off with the temperature that it is reading.
So does anyone know how many amps the block heater draws?
If its enough to make my heavy duty cord I have get warm, I'm sure its drawing a lot.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
I'm not sure about the draw from the block heater, but when I had mine plugged into an electrical timer in my garage outlet, the circuit breaker would trip when the timer activated. That's why I'm thinking about trying the 30-amp outlet.
My timer is an 'indoor-use only' type. The trailer outlet is outside in a covered box. I don't want to use the timer outside. The weather hasn't been bad yet. I just want to have backup plan, just in case.
My timer is an 'indoor-use only' type. The trailer outlet is outside in a covered box. I don't want to use the timer outside. The weather hasn't been bad yet. I just want to have backup plan, just in case.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
I googled and came up with this link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ck-heater.html
This is copied from J.R. in the 1999-2003 forum:
"I researched it for you and learned that the Powerstroke block heater pulls 1500 watts. Using Ohm's law :
power = volts X current --- translation :
watts = volts X amps
1500 watts divided by 115 Volts AC = 13 Amps
Use a proper extension cord that can handle at least 15 amps. Also remember that your house outlets are rated at 15 amps.
Hope this helps you."
Thanks to J.R. for this info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ck-heater.html
This is copied from J.R. in the 1999-2003 forum:
"I researched it for you and learned that the Powerstroke block heater pulls 1500 watts. Using Ohm's law :
power = volts X current --- translation :
watts = volts X amps
1500 watts divided by 115 Volts AC = 13 Amps
Use a proper extension cord that can handle at least 15 amps. Also remember that your house outlets are rated at 15 amps.
Hope this helps you."
Thanks to J.R. for this info.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
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From: Rogue River, OR
The "On Board Charger" is an idea from an accumulation of ideas from different folks, TJ being one of them. Someone installed a "Bumper Plug" it plugs in the block heater. Another guy installed a small charger beneath the hood and I just incorporated both ideas and installed the bumper outlet, mounted a small float type 2 AMP charger on top of the fuse box beneath the hood and wired them both into a switch under the hood.
Now I just plug in an extension cord into my bumper and flip the switch to either the heater, the charger or in the middle to off. TJ has pix of my set up on his site.
Rog
Now I just plug in an extension cord into my bumper and flip the switch to either the heater, the charger or in the middle to off. TJ has pix of my set up on his site.
Rog
Last edited by kawa; Oct 25, 2009 at 10:59 PM. Reason: Bad word