Block heater not working!

[CLAYTON]

Plug it in and nothing happens. Power is getting to the block heater but I get no heat. It worked one day and not the next. What should I check for?



CLAYTON

 

[tobaccogrower]

check contunity on the cord and then the heater. my guess is the cord is shot!... . james

 

[tareynolds]

most likely your power cord is bad, I have seen this more than I have a failed heater element. I think I still have a good cord at the shop, I just cant remember where.

 

[bmoeller]

I would start with the cord, too.

 

[jwduke]

Check the breaker in your house, these heaters have a 15 amp draw.

 

[AMassaro]

The block heater on my truck only draws about 6. 75 amps... .

 

[Pawpaw]

I would check the outlet first. I'd expect a tripped breaker or (even more likely) that the outlet has a Ground Fault Circuit Iterrupter that has tripped.



Years ago, I used to run an extension cord to the doghouse in the winter. A 100 watt bulb produces quite a bit of heat to keep the dogs warm on those cold winter nights. The GFCI would trip frequently. Any outside extension cord can do that. All it takes is a little bit of moisture in a plug and you can get enough current flow to trip a GFCI.



Bob

 

[CLAYTON]

Breaker is fine... Also checked the extension cord by plugin something else into it and it worked fine. I'll have to see if it's the cord that plugs into the block heater. Is that cord pretty easy to replace or is it a pain.

 

[jwduke]

I think you can get to it from the bottom, not sure though.



As for the 15 amp draw, guess thats what size breaker the dealer told me you needed, if you plugged it in cold.

 

[PSchwering]

The factory heater is a 750 watt heater-That makes for 6 1/2 to 7 amps. I believe some aftermarket companys make higher watage heaters, Maybe all the way up to 1500 watts. Heck, Cummins may even have higher wattage heaters, for different apps... ... ... . P.

 

[JJPage]

I maintain all the emergency generators for Qwest Communications, I have these same type of block heaters and have seen a number of them fail. You can purchase them new from "Kim Hotstart", and a whole lot cheaper than from Dodge or Cummins. Also ,all the parts for them are field replaceable, they have several different sizes, 500w,800w,1000w, 1500w, 120v & 240v. I believe the stock one is 1500w, but a 1000w is sufficient.

Hope that helps!

They also have internal t-stats, you can get 80 to 100, 100 to 120, 120 to 140, or 180f. I just purchased one last week less than $75. 00 tax included, comes w/cord. You can call Kim Hotstart in Spokane 509-534-6171 and they will send you a free catalog or ship you the heater direct.

 

[MABurns]

Years ago, I used to run an extension cord to the doghouse in the winter. A 100 watt bulb produces quite a bit of heat to keep the dogs warm on those cold winter nights. Bob

That is cruel!! How is the dog suppose to get a good nights sleep with the light on?

 

[RankRam]

That is cruel!! How is the dog suppose to get a good nights sleep with the light on?

Teach him to read and also watch for burglars! :-laf

 

[Pawpaw]

I don't know how well they slept. I never thought to ask.



When the light went out and the dogs got cold, they would quickly come to the back door to let me know! As soon as I got it working and the light came back on, they'd both make a beeline for that doghouse!



BTW, if anyone does this, also tack up an old piece of carpet over the door to keep the heat in and wind out.



Bob

 

[jwduke]

Don't they make a electric blanket for dogs?

 

[Pawpaw]

Don't they make a electric blanket for dogs?

I don't think they did 20 years ago. Even if they did, I couldn't have afforded it with raising two kids on a USAF E-5 paycheck.



Bob

 

[Boonieman]

I'm not sure how the cord is wired into the heater because I never have had any problem with it. I do know that when I plug it in after a couple seconds I hear a soft "click" from under the hood like a relay is pulling in somewhere. It does it every time because I listen for this to make sure I didn't trip the GFI while plugging it in.