Block Heater Cord

[Winston Wolf]

My '05 appears to have come complete with power cord. It has a cap on it and is accessible by the passenger side headlight.



Don't know if this is news to anyone, but there was a lot of unhappiness with having to go find and purchase the appropriate power cord.



Now at $10 for the factory option, the block heater w/cord is an excellent value.



Just FYIing.

 

[JimBob24]

Yep. I imagine the cord is listed on the window sticker as a $10. option. Interestingly, Cummins installes block heaters in all engines supplied to DC, but DC elects to make the cord an option. I bought my new truck from dealer stock, so I did not get to order the option for $10. It cost me $26. from the dealer.



I think the gripe is that it makes DC look a bit cheap to quibble over a cord which probably actually cost them less than $5. in the first place, especially after what we paid for our trucks! They claim that the engine will start fine down to something like minus 20 F. before a heater is needed. Might be true, but they sure start a lot smoother and easier and run a lot better after using the block heater even in the plus 20's and 30's.



Here in Georgia it rarely gets into the teens in winter, but I have always used my block heater from 40 deg and below. It just makes engine starts much easier and warm-ups quicker. It's got to be better for the engine and the AC current draw is insignificant compared to the benefits.



I took a high amperage thermostat like the type used in older baseboard heaters and wired an outlet thru it in my garage which is where I plug in my block heater. I have it set in the 40 deg. range so that when the temp is above that the block heater will not come on. During colder months I always plug my truck in while in the garage. If the temp drops into the 40's and below, the heater comes on and I am ready to go.



FWIW



Jim

 

[Winston Wolf]

I like that thermostat idea. Good one!

 

[BlueRam2500]

My 04. 5 did not come with the cord either, and I was a little disappointed. I think it does make DC look pretty cheap by not installing the cord as a factory option. I guess I will have to order one and have it installed when my truck goes to the dealer Monday.

 

[abdiver]

I live on the coast in sunny California I can't think I would need this cord option. Only reason would be if I were visiting or camping in a cold area



Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[dhill]

I have mine pluged into a timer, and is set to start about two hours before i go to work. At a 1000 watts, that's a lot of power to run all night all winter.



Dave



JAFRD

 

[JimBob24]

Are you sure about the 1000 watts? That seems awfully high. I really have no idea but I was under the impression that the block heater only draws about 100 watts! I looked it up in the manual but could not find any specs on it. It goes in a freeze plug hole and is immersed in the coolant. Seems like 1000 watts would boil the coolant. I might borrow an AC amp meter and check it to be sure.



You are right abdiver. You sure don't need one where you live, but it is nice to have one if you do go somewhere cold. If you have never had the opportunity to use one it makes a hugh difference when it is very cold. At some point in the future there is a good possibility your truck could be owned by someone in a cold clmate. Then they will have to upgrade it. I know my '97 2500 CTD came with a cord and it was not even listed as an option then. Just seems like it would be so easy and practical to go ahead and take the extra 30 seconds to attach a cord while it was still on the assembly line and be done with it.



BTW, I don't consider this a major issue, just a point for discussion. I REALLY like my truck more and more. I really liked my '97 too and it is natural to compare the two. I like having a truck from the factory that has as much power and will tow my 30' fifth wheel RV better then my '97 which I had to mildly bomb to get it to pull satisfactorily (i. e. , Banks Stinger Plus, Suncoast tripple disc torque converter and trans valve body)



Jim

 

[CAgnoli]

Where did you get a timer that can handle the output needed for the heater? I have thought of doing this, but didn't think I could find a beefy enough timer.



Is it a standard plug in timer? I think I'll need a weatherproof one, as my outlet is outside, and my truck is too tall for my garage.....



THANKS!!

 

[mberry]

I have mine pluged into a timer, and is set to start about two hours before i go to work. At a 1000 watts, that's a lot of power to run all night all winter.



Dave



JAFRD

I have the timer too. Gota 15 amp timer from Home Depot and set it about 3 hours before I leave in the am. I think the current draw is around 600 watts though unless they changed them from the 2nd gens.



CAgnoli,



I put the timer at the closest plug to the garage door and run an extention cord under the seal that's just long enough for the plug and not in the way. That way I don't have to worry about the weather so much.

 

[jelag]

If you go to Cummins you can buy that same cord for about 1/2 the price... .



I own 6 trucks..... Fords and Dodges and one Freightliner... all use the SAME cord so I'm guessing that the same manufacurer supplies the engine heaters to both... .



BTW... we park the trucks plugged in on timers so that they come on 3 hours before we open the doors... .



Jim

 

[bmoeller]

I'm guessing that the same manufacurer supplies the engine heaters to both... .

You are correct. Zerostart.



http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/Files/us_zerostart_04cat.pdf

 

[djbobo]

My Ford came with a cord. Good thing cause one glow plug burn't out + 20 deg. or lower = no start. Dodge starts every time even when I forget to plug it in. So in my opinion,on the Ford, it has to be standard equipt. just so it can start in 80 % of the countries winters whereas on the Dodge it's not NEEDED just to get it started.

I look at it as a selling point. Grid heater makes a cord an option not a necessity.

If it has glow plugs it better come with a cord.

Do Duramaxes have glow plugs?



dj



ps I still try to plug in my truck at night - love that cozy warm cab in the morn. - But with the Cummins I don't find myself wakeing up in the middle of a cold night anymore wondering if I'm going to be able to get to work or not just because I may of forgotten to plug it in the night before.



I'm ok with the plug being a $10 option since by definition an option is for personal comfort or a personal preferance -- not an engine starting necessity.

 

[JimBob24]

You guys were right about the relatively high current draw of the block heater. I checked mine with an AC ammeter and it was drawing 6. 5 amps. That is almost exactly 800 watts!! I think I am going to use a timer because I am wasting a lot of juice letting it cook all night with the thermostat idea.

 

[ak_fleming]

Block Heater

Funny how folks from the south think that you need a block heater. I don't bother with one till the temp drops bolow + 10 F. Even then I only plug in for a couple of hours before starting untill the temp stays under - 20 F then it stays plugged in all the time when outside.

 

[kjncowboy]

Does anyone have any ideas about how to place a fixed box into position somewhere that does not require lifting the hood each and every time to plug and unplug? I am a paramedic with a local fire department and we use auto eject block heater plugs on the ambulances that we drive. Has anyone ever seen or have anything like this on their trucks?

 

[JimBob24]

Funny how folks from the south think that you need a block heater. I don't bother with one till the temp drops bolow + 10 F. Even then I only plug in for a couple of hours before starting untill the temp stays under - 20 F then it stays plugged in all the time when outside.

And you are right. Being from AK I'm sure it is funny :-laf Here in the northern GA mountains we get a number of cool mornings in the low teens and sometimes single digits in the coldest part of winter and the block heater just helps with smoother starts and less smoke plus the cab heater gets a head start. Besides, its got a block heater ... got to find an excuse to use it!

 

[mberry]

Just a quick note for those that have not used the plug yet. I finally got around to getting my cords together so I could plug in. When I took the cap off the block heater cord, it was completely full of water. Be carfeul you don't get hurt if yours has water in it too.

 

[rashwor]

My '05 came with the cord. My dealer said he orders it on all the Cummins power trucks... not needed, but I order them anyway.



I rarely use mine here in the south and I have a timer on it when I do use it set for 2 hours before I leave in the mornings.



On a side note, I have cranked my '92 and '99 with nothing but the grids in the single digits just to make me feel comfortable in the starting ability of the engines. Ford owners can't do that. :-laf

 

[Boonieman]

I have my cord routed such that it stays tucked kinda behind the bumper. You shouldn't have to open the hood to plug in the block heater.

 

[White Ram1]

I read this and e-mailed my dealer as I am scheduled to pick up my new 05 CTD on Friday.



I told him when they install the plug wire to make sure I can access it without having to lift my hood.



He e-maild back and said to his suprise his prep tech said the cord was already installed on the truck from the factory. He said without going out to look he's not sure where or how it is routed.



As a side note: I am reading all the above debate if a heater is even needed in certian parts of the country. All I can say is I race stock cars at a very high level and we won't even start a motor unless we've pre-heated the oil. And that goes even if it is a 100 plus degree day. A hard slug of oil is hard on any motor.