Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Block heater cord

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 04:38 AM
  #1  
drivembig's Avatar
drivembig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: NC
Block heater cord

I was wondering if anyone knew where to get a new block heater cord and how much I should expect to pay for it?

I checked the heater and it's showing 13.9 ohms at the heater. I check it at the end of the cord and its open, no resistance.

Could I just cut the cord and splice in a part of a drop cord and get by?

Thanks in adavance.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 04:55 AM
  #2  
Copedawg's Avatar
Copedawg
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 17
From: Gambrills
Club FTE Silver Member

I have put new ends (plug ends) on twice and getting ready to do it again. Seems like they fail at the end. Is your end stock? Might want to try shooting some contact cleaner in to get the green corossion and junk off and out of it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 07:22 AM
  #3  
triskadek's Avatar
triskadek
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara and Ottawa
I haven't had to on my truck but on old POS chev we totally just spliced on an old lamp cord end. Soldered it and covered the splice with jb weld for good measure.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 07:28 AM
  #4  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Plugs last longer if you donot arc them.
They are not switch rated.

Originally Posted by triskadek
we totally just spliced on an old lamp cord end. Soldered it and covered the splice with jb weld for good measure.
You have no protection against the enviroments it puts up with.
Also if its a 2 wire you have no ground.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 08:11 AM
  #5  
scatgo's Avatar
scatgo
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
A new one is only 20 bucks!
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 08:15 AM
  #6  
triskadek's Avatar
triskadek
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara and Ottawa
It was three prong, and it outlasted the truck
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 08:53 AM
  #7  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by triskadek
It was three prong, and it outlasted the truck
Lamp cord does not carry a ground wire.
IIRC the largest gauge is 14.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 09:06 AM
  #8  
triskadek's Avatar
triskadek
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara and Ottawa
It was a big lamp but this was years ago. I think it went to a fluorescent thing with a heavy base and funky artsy arm and the bulbs up high. Everyone hated it and it it sat out in the garage for a while and became scraps.

The point is I think you can get away with 14 gauge wiring just fine.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 09:14 AM
  #9  
MustangMatt96GT's Avatar
MustangMatt96GT
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, Colorado
well....


1000W = 120Volts X 8.333 amps.

so 14 gauge wire is good to about 15 amps. meaning 14 gauge wire is the least I would use knowing that power surges can happen too. But that does not mean I would use anything other than an outdoor style cord.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 09:21 AM
  #10  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
OP

Spend the 20 bucks.
You can even find them all over fleabay.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 09:24 AM
  #11  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by MustangMatt96GT
well....


1000W = 120Volts X 8.333 amps.

so 14 gauge wire is good to about 15 amps. meaning 14 gauge wire is the least I would use knowing that power surges can happen too. But that does not mean I would use anything other than an outdoor style cord.
You also have to account for the length of wire involved.
Its really why the cheap ext cords are bad/unsafe for your truck and house.
You allways want to wire for 125% of the first highest load on a ckt.
Free air and conduits also have a role.

.02
Bill
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 11:00 AM
  #12  
scatgo's Avatar
scatgo
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by MADVAN
OP

Spend the 20 bucks.
You can even find them all over fleabay.

Bill

Yea, thats where I just got mine. Wasnt cheap made in China crap either.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 11:06 AM
  #13  
scatgo's Avatar
scatgo
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Or just get the in the bumper plug and hook that up. But you probly need a new cord anyway.......Block Heater Plug pictures from outdoors photos on webshots

http://www.amazon.com/ParkPower-Mari...2884562&sr=8-1
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 01:48 PM
  #14  
MustangMatt96GT's Avatar
MustangMatt96GT
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, Colorado
Originally Posted by MADVAN
You also have to account for the length of wire involved.
Its really why the cheap ext cords are bad/unsafe for your truck and house.
You allways want to wire for 125% of the first highest load on a ckt.
Free air and conduits also have a role.

.02
Bill
Yes, agreed big time. But the 15 amp rating is for a certain length of wire. I think it was 10 feet, but i would have to look up on the chart again, but assuming he was not putting a cord on the bumper(have seen it where you could plug in on either end, on a cummins once, homemade) he would be safe for that. But because of the resistance from length in wire you got to go bigger the longer you go. Thus the reason a GOOD extension cord will cost upwards of 65 bucks.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 03:54 PM
  #15  
Action4478's Avatar
Action4478
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by scatgo
I put mine in the bumper also , much easier to use ...
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:48 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE