when to use engine block heater!!
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 7
10. Not windchill 10, 10 ambient. Sure, you COULD plug it in when it is not cold- pretending that you are helping your truck, but you could plug it in at 70 too- at some point you are just wasting money and being silly.
In Minnesota, I always plugged my trucks in. My neighbors NEVER plugged their trucks in. Did it matter? I doubt it- their trucks ran until they were traded.
Seems like a lot of what we do is just preserving our truck for the next owner...
-mike
In Minnesota, I always plugged my trucks in. My neighbors NEVER plugged their trucks in. Did it matter? I doubt it- their trucks ran until they were traded.
Seems like a lot of what we do is just preserving our truck for the next owner...
-mike
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,604
Likes: 4
From: Claremore, OK
On mine the needle is just off the "cold" end of the temp range. I'm not running a/m gauges (yet), so I don't know what temp it is. I know the one I had in a T800 would keep the coolant about 120F (according to the KW gauge).
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, Alberta
I have noticed from this and previous threads re block heaters is that it seems that the warmer the climate a person is from the sooner they plug in thier trucks. Living up here in Canada most people I know don't plug in thiers trucks until about -10 to -15 celcius, or 14-5 F. I personnal don't plug in unless it is forcasted to hit -15C. I fire it up let it idle for a minute or two or long enough to scrap windows and drive away, gentle of course until it comes to operating tempature. Now to each his own, but you certainly won't be hurting your truck if you don't plug in unitl around 20-15 and will probably save a few bucks in electricity.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Block heaters are at best, 15amp, and typically, 10amp or less, or 1,000 watt range.
That is very little heat and it dissapates very quickly in the cold.
Hence, not much difference once the block heated area stabilizes and reaches peak temperature --- probably 3 to 4 hours.
That is very little heat and it dissapates very quickly in the cold.
Hence, not much difference once the block heated area stabilizes and reaches peak temperature --- probably 3 to 4 hours.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,925
Likes: 3,649
I have heard of several studies that claimed it saved money to use the block heater on cold mornings because the fuel economy did not take as long to come up to the "typical" value. The theory being that electric heat was cheaper and more efficient for the heating up of the engine block, etc. than the cost of diesel - pretty much like zhilton was saying.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
325 hp (242 kW) is the rating of the engine.
For arguments sake, say it is running at 3 kw at idle.
More likely than not, accessories, including the alternator, require more than that to be generated.
That is at least 2 times the output of the block heater.
True, not all of that is being converted into heat for the engine --- but into mechanical energy, motion, electricity, etc...
But at idle, most of that is heat, some electricity for alternator, cooling fan.
If you are driving with it, power output is at least 10% of capacity, or 25 to 30 kw.
Way more than a block heater.
True, in most locations, electricity is cheaper than running with diesel fuel to generate heat.
But have no doubt that your engine dwafts the output of your household electric circuit.
A good block heater MIGHT draw 900 watt, and an oil pan heater another 500 watt.
Peanuts --- that is why real truck heaters use diesel.
Typically, most homes today have 120amp service, some 200amp.
That is still tiny compared to the output of the 6.0 going at, say, 70mph.
For arguments sake, say it is running at 3 kw at idle.
More likely than not, accessories, including the alternator, require more than that to be generated.
That is at least 2 times the output of the block heater.
True, not all of that is being converted into heat for the engine --- but into mechanical energy, motion, electricity, etc...
But at idle, most of that is heat, some electricity for alternator, cooling fan.
If you are driving with it, power output is at least 10% of capacity, or 25 to 30 kw.
Way more than a block heater.
True, in most locations, electricity is cheaper than running with diesel fuel to generate heat.
But have no doubt that your engine dwafts the output of your household electric circuit.
A good block heater MIGHT draw 900 watt, and an oil pan heater another 500 watt.
Peanuts --- that is why real truck heaters use diesel.
Typically, most homes today have 120amp service, some 200amp.
That is still tiny compared to the output of the 6.0 going at, say, 70mph.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,604
Likes: 4
From: Claremore, OK
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
Don't forget, plugging in at higher than REALLY cold temps also makes starting up a little easier on the batteries. Over time, that would equate to a cost savings there too as you would get a bit longer life out of them.
If I think it might get cold overnight I just go ahead and plug her in. Can't imagine it would hurt anything, only help. Oh yeah, I also have a digital timer mounted on my exterior garage wall facing where I park overnight. That way I can have it set to turn on the block heater 3-4 hours before start up time.
If I think it might get cold overnight I just go ahead and plug her in. Can't imagine it would hurt anything, only help. Oh yeah, I also have a digital timer mounted on my exterior garage wall facing where I park overnight. That way I can have it set to turn on the block heater 3-4 hours before start up time.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
My cage is still in the Cold area when I start it, no difference than when not using it, but it does climb the gauge much faster than if I didn't use it.
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