2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission block heater question

[Chasweaver]

This is my first winter with the Diesel. How long do you leave it plugged in for? Will a coupla hours do? My lows are usualy in the mid 30's. Charlie

 

[MickeysCummins]

Some people leave them plugged in over night, and some put it on a timer so that like 1. 5- 2 hours before u usually leave in the morning... . it all depends on what you think. Some say it’s not good to leave it plugged in; some have been doing it all there lives. Do what you think is right, I plug mine in about 11-12 at night and unplug it when I get up in the morning to leave. . good luck

 

[CO Lineman]

If you do plug your truck in all night your electric bill will see an increase. What I did when I plugged my truck in consistently was to put a timer on the cord, then it was timed to come on a couple hours before going to work. Worked out well and a couple hours was more than enough time for the truck to warm up.

 

[JFitzgerald]

One thing I noticed about this truck compared to the 1st gens I had, is that the heater does not make the sizzling sound. The old ones did. I had to replace the power cord recently because it had shorted at the block connector. When I put the new one in, it made no noise, so I thought it still did not work. Being an electrician, I checked the circuit with a clamp-on ammeter. It draws about 6 amps and has proven to warm the engine, it's just quiet, so don't necessarily trust the "no noise, no heat" idea.

 

[rbattelle]

One thing I noticed about this truck compared to the 1st gens I had, is that the heater does not make the sizzling sound. The old ones did. I had to replace the power cord recently because it had shorted at the block connector. When I put the new one in, it made no noise, so I thought it still did not work. Being an electrician, I checked the circuit with a clamp-on ammeter. It draws about 6 amps and has proven to warm the engine, it's just quiet, so don't necessarily trust the "no noise, no heat" idea.

For years, mine has made the sizzling noise. Suddenly this winter, it's gone into "silent" mode. Resistance is ~19 ohm and it still heats the engine as well as it ever did. It's just silent now.



Weird.



Ryan

 

[Chief USA]

Mine used to make the sizzling noise when I plugged it in initially up until this year. It doesn't make any noise any longer. After I have left it plugged in for an hour or 2, I can feel the water/thermostat neck an it feels warm to the touch. I have to leave mine plugged in for 3 or 4 hours even with the grill covers installed before the engine is warm enough make the wait to start light go off with the other lights when I turn the ignition key.