Block Heater on all day?????

[RideSlow2004]

Place I work has power in the parking lot. I work 12 to 13 hr shifts, what do you think about plugging it in when I arrive, and leaving it until I go home.

 

[mwilson]

Place I work has power in the parking lot. I work 12 to 13 hr shifts, what do you think about plugging it in when I arrive, and leaving it until I go home.

No harm in that, I do the same thing at the dealership if it is going to be below zero all day.



Mike.

 

[jgillott]

If it's cold enough to justify it, it's not going to hurt a thing other than the use on your block heater element. You could add a timer to come on 4 hours or so before you need the truck, but I don't think it's an absolute must. Our big trucks at work often get plugged in at the end of the day and left over night without a timer or issue.

 

[mwilson]

If it's cold enough to justify it, it's not going to hurt a thing other than the use on your block heater element. You could add a timer to come on 4 hours or so before you need the truck, but I don't think it's an absolute must. Our big trucks at work often get plugged in at the end of the day and left over night without a timer or issue.

Good point, a lot of big trucks are plugged in until needed. From Friday night until Monday morning for many truckers.



Mike.

 

[jgillott]

Good point, a lot of big trucks are plugged in until needed. From Friday night until Monday morning for many truckers.

Mike.

I talk with the mechanics almost every day, and I don't remember the last time they had to replace an element or had an issue with the heater or related components. I don't know what the power bill is every month with 30+ units plugged in every night this time of year, but it must not be much of an issue compared to one of them not starting for the day. I'm sure the business office would have ordered timers if there was much of a difference.

On a side note, all of the new 2013 Internationals we just received also have Espar heaters on them. Pretty interesting set-up.

 

[mwilson]

I talk with the mechanics almost every day, and I don't remember the last time they had to replace an element or had an issue with the heater or related components. I don't know what the power bill is every month with 30+ units plugged in every night this time of year, but it must not be much of an issue compared to one of them not starting for the day. I'm sure the business office would have ordered timers if there was much of a difference.



On a side note, all of the new 2013 Internationals we just received also have Espar heaters on them. Pretty interesting set-up.

Are the Espar units for coolant heat or for cab heat???



Mike.

 

[jgillott]

Are the Espar units for coolant heat or for cab heat???

Mike.

Coolant heaters. I believe they are the E-Guardian 8 series, but I will have to check. I haven't run one yet, but supposedly they can be programmed to come on up to 2 hours before the unit is needed, have several levels of operation, and can be integrated with the defrosters etc. without the main unit being at idle. I heard one running Friday afternoon and they have a very distinctive sound to them..... almost like one of those old kero torpedo heaters. Only the sound exiting out of this little 1" exhaust pipe under the truck. One of the drivers who had the training on his new unit was telling me, that it is supposed to use . 25 gal of fuel per hour of use. Pretty darn good for what it does.

 

[RideSlow2004]

Great info, thanks.

 

[RVTRKN]

Never used the block heater for either truck, because I live in So Cal, so I have a simple question, does the heater have a self regulator, like a built in thermostat?

 

[Bob4x4]

Never used the block heater for either truck, because I live in So Cal, so I have a simple question, does the heater have a self regulator, like a built in thermostat?

no,they are just a heating element and a short power cord. Don't you live in the high desert?
I would use mine just for the rapid warm up in the cab on these frosty mornings.

 

[RVTRKN]

No, Rancho Cucamonga. The cost for start and go in So. Cal. doesn't warrant the electricity cost. As it is now I always wait for the heater lamp to go out and then start to keep in habit, so when I'm in a cold climate I don't forget.

 

[RideSlow2004]

I have a timer on the cord at home, it is heavy duty rated, use it for the above ground pool motor in the summer. Question is, any idea what the rating should be for the timer for the block heater? Can I use one of my light duty Christmas light timers?

 

[mwilson]

I have a timer on the cord at home, it is heavy duty rated, use it for the above ground pool motor in the summer. Question is, any idea what the rating should be for the timer for the block heater? Can I use one of my light duty Christmas light timers?

The Ram block heaters are 750 watt. I think that will be pushing your light duty timer.



I use this one from Intermatic, but I also have to plug in the company delivery trucks from time to time and wanted a timer that would handle bigger heaters.

http://www.intermatic.com/Products/TimeSwitches/Electromechanical_Switches/24Hour/T100Series.aspx



No matter what is in the dooryard I want a reliable timer. A no-start at -10 below during the work week is not the way I want my day to begin.



Mike.

 

[RideSlow2004]

The Ram block heaters are 750 watt. I think that will be pushing your light duty timer.

I use this one from Intermatic, but I also have to plug in the company delivery trucks from time to time and wanted a timer that would handle bigger heaters.
http://www.intermatic.com/Products/TimeSwitches/Electromechanical_Switches/24Hour/T100Series.aspx

No matter what is in the dooryard I want a reliable timer. A no-start at -10 below during the work week is not the way I want my day to begin.

Mike.

I use an Intermatic on my secondary hot water heater, very reliable. Thanks for the info on the wattage, I will purchase appropriately.

 

[EricBu12]

One thing to be sure not to do everyone, don't run the truck with the heater plugged in. . it creates static on the element and it shorts it out. . first hand knowledge.

 

[S.Morris]

A friend used to have a ESPAR on a diesel LandCruiser. (6cyl) . He made a muffler of sorts that bolted oilpan bolts and transfered heat to the oilpan from exhaust. Never needed glowplugs again, no matter how cold. 1hr warm up time, brought operating temp to 160 and took frost of windshield if defrost vents left open.



We use the espar air heaters in our ERS trailers all winter long on a thermostat. 5gal of diesel will last about a week. Pretty good considering they run pretty steady at times.

 

[rashwor]

We rarely get cold enough here in East Texas to need the block heater, but I use mine from time to time with a normal little house timer and it has worked well. It is sufficient to set the timer to come on about two hours before you want to start it. She is always warm and ready to go within the two hours.