Block heater timer

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Mar 5, 2010 | 07:32 PM

Big Ruth

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Block heater timer

What are you guys using for block heater timers?

My wife picked up one. Outdoor non digital one rated at like 1280 watts. Grounded of course.

Mar 5, 2010 | 09:55 PM

madpogue

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1280 is fine if it's just the block heater (1000W). I've set up both my wife's trucks with battery warmers as well, ganged together on one plug. Aprx. 1150W total. We got a Woods outdoor 15A (1800W) grounding mechanical timer. Most timers I saw were rated for 1250W tungsten (light bulbs), 1800W resistive. The block heater's just a bigeffin' heating element (think: toaster), so the resistive rating applies.

Mar 6, 2010 | 06:06 AM

Big Ruth

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Cool thanks.

Mar 6, 2010 | 06:26 AM

Big Ruth

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Quote:

Originally Posted by madpogue

I read your post again. The timer I have does have a picture of Christmas tree lights on it. You mention that most of them are designed for lightbulbs. Does that mean I need to find one that isn't? Or does the 1280 watts suffice even if it's geared towards lightbulb use.

I suppose 10, 100 watt lightbulbs would be about the same so 1000 watts really isn't a huge amount. Those little brown indoor extention cords are rayed at 2000 watts.

Mar 6, 2010 | 09:58 PM

madpogue

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Actually, most of them have both ratings, for tungsten and resistive/other. If yours doesn't, I would just go by the 1280 that's listed, and you're under that limit.

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