How much money does it cost to use the block heater?
 

Hey guys, i hope u guys dont think this is a stuip ? but, how much do u think it is going to cost to use the block heaters on my 94.5 psd? Iam going to use a timer set at 3 hours before i start it in the morning. I have 2 plugs on my truck (option from the dealer). Should i use both of them or just one? Also this is going to be based on a monthly electric bill....hope u guys can help.
Erik

I did the math a couple years ago and determined it would only cost me about $18 a month if I left it it plugged in all night, every night, so you really should barely notice it with just a few hours in the mornings.

Sounds like you have 2 block heaters with 2 plugs please clarify that. The cost should be pretty negligable. If you know your cost of kilowatts 1000 watts. Around here its .05 per 1000. Figure the wattage off the heaters times number off hours and youll have total watts used. 1000 watt heater = .o5 per hour. .15 for 3 hrs. a month $4.50. Pretty resonable for the benefits.

i wouldnt worry about the cost, tell me this, would be cheaper to plug it in every night or miss a day at work cause you didnt plug it in. just my .02

Hey there, crapr6....do both of those heaters warm up the engine coolant, or does one of them heat the oil?

sorry about not clarify my opition on my truck...it has 2 block heaters one on each side of the engine block..with yes 2 outlets on the grill to plug into the 110volt source...this was an opition called "antartice package"
Thanks for the reply
Erik

yes both are engine block heaters for the coolant passage on the side of the motor..ATLEAST that what it looks like from under the truck..
thanks for the reply
Erik

I never worried about plugging my PSD in . It would sit a week at a time out in Michigan winters without being plugged in and it always started , might have to cycle the glow plugs a couple of times . My Freightliner ( Cat ) that was a different story , it would not start if it got below 30 degrees unless it was plugged in or you gave it a shot of ether .

Thanks for the reply, I just want to plug it in because my work is only 3miles from my house and the truck never has time to warm up all the way, plus since the truck doesnt get warm i dont have good heat from the vents...so i think it would be better 3 hours before i started it to have a timer come on and warm the truck, so once i do start it it will be warm allready..
Erik
plus it dosnt put as much wear and tear on those cold start ups

A timer isn't a bad idea, but you need to make sure that the timer is rated for the wattage and voltage of the heater. Most inexpensive household timers are rated at 10-15 Amps. A 1000W heater @ 120V should pull around 8.3Amps. (1000W/120V = 8.33A). Make sure your timer is rated for that.

I asked the question in another thread as to what the wattage rating on the stock block heater was. I was told it was 1500 watts. If that is correct, then that changes everything. I guess the first thing is to find out for sure how many amps the heater draws.

Timer
 

Hey Crapr6, I had mine plugged in as soon as I got home from work in the mountains of CO when it was getting super cold (-20, -35) all night. That month I got the bill and it was up from like $40 to like $120. I did'nt even think about it until the bill came, OUCH. I bought a timer for I think $35 and have it come on 2 hours before, plenty of time to warm up. You ar right on track.

If you ask me, that is the most important thing. I plug mine in all the time, and no timer. Even had block heaters on my various gassers. They all think its 50 degrees outside, even if its 80 degrees less than that. Now, if there was just some way to get that interior up to temperature before having to jump in.... :-X22

Tell me about it. Maybe some high rolling plug in seat heaters/window defrosters/snow removers would be best. Someone at Ford should think of these things.