Block Heater

[DR]

I have a 95 12v with the factory block heater. The local temps are 35- 40 during the day and in the high teens at night. I've started plugging it in at night for easier starting in the morning. But, is it OK to plug it in when I get home when it's at normal operating temperature? Also, is it OK to leave it plugged in for an extended period of time, say more than a day

 

[Whitmore]

DR- aint hurtin nothin but yer pwrbill Get a timer and set it for 2 or 3 hrs before drive time... ... ... ... ... ..... Kevin

 

[Xgunfighter]

I use a "thermo-cube" on my extension cord. Turns on at 36 off at 45. Works good...

 

[Cooker]

OK,

I finally have to ask about this "Thermo-Cube".



As I understand, and stated above, it comes on a 30 something and off at 40 something. It hasn't been over 25 degrees here in the last 4 days. Would the thing have shut off? Where is the thermostat? I assume on the cube itself, therefore it is run by outstide air temp, right?



This thing might be great fo people in warmer climates, where it get a little chilly at night an then warms up during the day, but I don't see how this is beneficial to those of us in the colder climates (except in certain times of the year)? Seems like a timer is a better way to go.



Don't get me wrong this cube is a great idea, but maybe not for all seasons in all climates.



JMHO,

Ryan

 

[Batman]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31263



above is the link to another thread that is discussing this.

HTH,

George

 

[Cooker]

Sorry,

I didn't see the other thread.

 

[illflem]

Ryan, I use a thermostat set at 40°, but a Thermocube would do the same, because I don't drive at set times and timer is useless. If you really want to save on the power bill use both a timer and Thermocube. Just plug the Cube in after the timer, no power will make it to the heater unless it's cold enough at the right time. If the temp is consistently below 35° or so the Cube won't help but is great for the marginal times of the year. Northern Tool has a line voltage themostat that is adjustable from 30 to 110° if you want to really get into it. Only a few dollars more than a Themocube and totally weatherproof.

 

[Bigsaint]

DR, I normally just plug in for a few hours before I leave, using a timer, as Kevin stated. If I go out in the AM and return knowing that I will go out again that day, I plug it in while it's up to temp. , if anything it will help to keep an already warm engine warm and I can't see how it would hurt anything, other than the electric bill.



Scott W.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I have always just plugged it in when I get home- with the engine warm. It doesn't help the power bill but, like some of the others, I am not always sure when I will be leaving. To have the thing plugged in for 12 hours a day costs me about 18 bucks a month. Not that big of a deal imo.

 

[DKelch]

DR,



I use a timer as many others do, two hours normally... three if it dips below zero. I have never heard of the thermocube, but must say it sounds like a great idea.



The only thing I see wrong with staying plugged in continuously is that the block heater's life expectency will be decreased. It's just a resistive element, the current traveling thru it will eventually cause it to give up the ghost. The timer and the thermocube are cheaper options.



Dwayne

 

[DarrellB]

The Timer Thing

Ok, If I use a timer does it have to be heavy duty or just a house hold timer?



Big D

 

[illflem]

The block heater is 725 watts, most household timers easily foot the bill. Some cheapos don't accept a three prong grounded plug, best to use one that does.

 

[DR]

Thanks for all the input. I'll probably use a timer, but the thermocube does sound cool. I also have an inline thermostat for a space heater that might work too.

 

[eralston]

Block Heaters

Here is an answer for us who like to hunt/fish and need to start our trucks in cold weather. It is a block heater that uses either propane or diesel. It is made by ESPAR HEATER SYSTEMS Mounts under the hood, uses about 8 oz of diesel per hour.

 

[88_fiero]

In Line T Stat.

I need my truck at odd times (fireman) so the timer doesn't do much good. I bought an in line T stat at Granger Supply for about $ 37. 00. I mounted it under the hood of my 89 along with a duplex electrical box. The incoming cord goes to the stat. Set the stat to turn on at 35 degrees or lower. When the temp under the hood rises to above 40 or so, it shuts off. I also plugged my automatic on board battery charger into the duplex box. When it gets cold and the battery is down, the charger "tops it off". I've used this rig for three years and it works well.

 

[Cooker]

Welcoem to the TDR fellas.



eralston,

There are a few members who have Espars installed on their trucks. As you mentioned they are a great idea, but they don't give them away



Egeorge,

Great idea This type of setup is something that I might consider. Time to get out the Grainger catalog.



Maybe I just need to install a thermocube under the hood?



-Ryan

 

[illflem]

There was another fireman who posted here last winter about using a Thermocube under the hood, it didn't give him the instant start with no intake heaters he wanted in order to get to the station fast. What would happen is the block heater would heat the underhood area and shut the cube off. When I took temps with a infrared temp gun on a zero degree day after the block heater was plugged in I had a reading of 72° on the top inside of the hood. Engine temps were even higher with the radiator hoses being well over 100°. What I'm saying is that an underhood tstat will only warm the engine to a little warmer than the tstat setting. This is fine but you will still have to cycle the intake heaters and won't have the benefit of faster cab heat unless the tstat is set high. It will save on the power bill especially when you plug in a warmed up engine though, the block heater won't kick in until the engine compartment cools. I think this will only work well for you with a tsat set higher than a Thermocube. I like the fact that I don't have to cycle the intake heaters after the block heat has been on, saves wear on the intake heat system and batteries, cheaper than a higher power bill for me plus the intake heat system will work when you really need it.

 

[Cooker]

Thanks for the info Bill. I guess that idea is out.

 

[Gordon Maney]

Current Draw

Does anyone know what the current draw is on the block heater?

 

[Cooker]

~720 watts

or

~6 amps.