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block heater question
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
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About $18. Took me approximately 3 months to pay for mine, from savings on electricity.
And Ray...yes...I can be a major miser when it comes to utility bills. That bill in particular was one from summertime, I think..in Colorado and at the time I had no AC and I was gone a lot...
And Ray...yes...I can be a major miser when it comes to utility bills. That bill in particular was one from summertime, I think..in Colorado and at the time I had no AC and I was gone a lot...
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 91
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From: Vashon, WA
I have 3 on cycles and 3 off cycles. If you get more of the little push pin do-dads and just shove them into your timer I would guess you could have as many cycles as you want provided you have the space to squeeze in the litlle do-dad pins.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
I also heard the 1000 watt rating. As for your cord, 14awg would be a good size to go with. If you can get a 12awg, that would be better plus you now have a nice long cord that can run a bunch of larger tools if need be. Now if your really want to go all out, Lowes sells yellow jacket extension cords and they carry one thats 10awg and 100ft long. Its rated 20amps at that length (way beyond overkill). The nice thing about running block heaters in cold weather is that it generally keeps the cord cooler (assuming its all outside and not hooked up indoors).
New User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
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From: Clinton
No, sorry! Didn't mean to make fun of you at all! That calculation for how much it cost was spot on! I think I have had a few too many....
I do wonder where the differance is though... at 1500W it SHOULD pull 12.5 amps. I just checked mine, at 20deg out and it pulled 7.5anps.
Back on topic, I think to be absolutely safe use a 12gauge cord but in theory a 14gauge should work.
I do wonder where the differance is though... at 1500W it SHOULD pull 12.5 amps. I just checked mine, at 20deg out and it pulled 7.5anps.
Back on topic, I think to be absolutely safe use a 12gauge cord but in theory a 14gauge should work.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Arizona
Our block heaters are 1000 watts, or about 8.3 amps (@120 volts). Voltage drop at 75 feet with a #14 copper cord is 3.2% for 8.3 amps @ 120 volts, which is less than 4 volts. But you need to add the length of the circuit it is plugged into also, unless your receptacle is right at the panel. If it is a 15 amp circuit and it is 50 feet to the panel, the drop increases to 5.4%, or 6.5 volts. A 20 amp circuit would be less voltage drop due to the 12 gauge wire, as would a 12 gauge cord.
None of this voltage drop will damage a resistive load like a block heater, and will result in only a minor reduction in heating, that you'd never notice. I wouldn't be surprised if the block heater cord is only 16 gauge.
At 1000 watts a #14 cord won't get hot enough to be a hazard either. It might be a hazard if you used a #18 extension cord, but they are hard to find since they are no longer allowed to be imported to the US.
I hooked my block heater up to a keychain controlled remote relay rated for 13 amps resistive, I can turn it on from inside the house when I get up. I don't have a set schedule, or I'd use a timer.
None of this voltage drop will damage a resistive load like a block heater, and will result in only a minor reduction in heating, that you'd never notice. I wouldn't be surprised if the block heater cord is only 16 gauge.
At 1000 watts a #14 cord won't get hot enough to be a hazard either. It might be a hazard if you used a #18 extension cord, but they are hard to find since they are no longer allowed to be imported to the US.
I hooked my block heater up to a keychain controlled remote relay rated for 13 amps resistive, I can turn it on from inside the house when I get up. I don't have a set schedule, or I'd use a timer.
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