Bombed my Heater Grid Plug!

[RGRAT1618]

The plug Kicker is from a company called Kussmaul. I am not sure of the price because we had one sitting in my dads shop. They broke a wire connection. So I repaired the wire and put it to good use. here is Kussmaul's web site

http://www.kussmaul.com[/URL]



Rob

 

[15w40]

Originally posted by JohnE

I use a $5 light duty timer. The trick on the light duty is to <b>not</b> let the timer turn the circuit off. The limiting factor on switches is always the break not the make rating.

Be careful using a timer not rated for the 720-watt load. It is true that the inrush current is higher than the running current, but not by much in a heater circuit. If you use a light duty timer for the block heater, check the temperature of the timer case with your hand, several times for a few hours. If you can feel any heat from the timer keep a fire extinguisher handy. The problem is you are not likely to be watching when the fire starts. Some of the low wattage timers use light duty wire, plugs and sockets to save on costs. Think about what might catch on fire if the timer ignites.



As an electrical engineer, I am always amazed at all the shortcuts made to reduce costs. Be careful.

 

[JohnE]

<blockquote>Be careful using a timer not rated for the 720-watt load. </blockquote>

Good point. My light duty timer is rated at 1875 watts. I usually follow a 50% derate so the 850 watts I'll have with block heater and oil heater will be on target.



BTW, The break or switch opening is the contact killer. Inrush current may be high, especially on inductive loads, but it happens when the contacts are fully closed. When the switch opens, the heat of the arc (as in welding?) fries the contacts.



-John

 

[DarrellB]

Insulated and heated polebarn works great for me. Just hit the door opener and drive off.



"15 miles of cord" Thats funny I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER.







Big D

 

[vross]

Intermatic makes a timer that is heavy duty. this is a gray box with an easily adjustable dial. I can set the start and stop time based on the outside temperature. I permanently mounted my timer to the inside garage wall out of the weather and set up with a cord and female plug. This way I can run the extension cord from the truck to timer. The yellow light can be replaced with a new lighted receptacle cord. Warning: Be sure your cord, timer and freeze plug all work before you need the heat. Experience can be such a cruel teacher.

 

[RGRAT1618]

i got a price for the plug kicker, $140. 00





rob

 

[Shovelhead]

I've set my timer to turn off 15 min. after I normaly leave for work.

That way the load is already off the timer when the contact disconnects.

 

[MLee]

heater plug

my 95 had pleanty of length on the cord, i did'nt want it out in view, so mounted a weather proof plug 110 type, had to modify it to fit, behind the licence plate, under neath. don't need to worry about paint rub, or that unsightly plug hanging out. drive a way? not yet. although the indicator light sound like a good idea. timer is a must. my pennys worth.

marv.



.

 

[SLittle]

What's this heater plug thingy? Never seen or heard of it



It was 48° when I left for work this morning, darn near froze my @ss off time to break out the winter windbreaker



Scott in AZ

 

[redneckdr]

plug thingy

scott:

all dodge ctd's some with a block heater in the water jacket. the heater is 120 volt. the plug is on the passenger side behing the grill, in front of the a/c condenser. heats the coolant in the truck to aid in cold weather starting. also nice to have the heater work immedaitely on starting

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I have one of the $5 like JohnE has and I've let mine click off many times with the heater plugged in with no problems. I just looked at it and it's rated at 15A/1750W. I do have it set to go off about an hour after I normally leave for work though.



I oriented my plug to come out the Rt bumper opening. I took it out of one of the plastic holders so it could hang over there. I just tuck it back out of sight when I unplug and it's easy to grab when I plug in.



This fall I've been a lazy bum and have only plugged in once. . . keep forgetting. We had a few days of 30s-40s lately. But I don't need it today, it was 65F at sunrise this am up here in the north country



Vaughn

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

I had no Idea!!

Cool I went out to my truck and just checked for the plug and it under the passanger battery, How cool is that, I had no idea that was there!!

you guys Rock!!!

 

[1 ALC]

Yes, . . We Do Rock!

 

[stg2500]

Indicator Light

How does the indicator light get wired so that the light is on only when the truck is plugged in? It sounds like an almost foolproof way of not forgetting to unplug the truck.

 

[Plowboy]

then we will invent a better fool

 

[JBoesl]

I must be thick headed, after reading all thease posts I still do not understand the need for a timer. I have lived in the cold country for 12 years now and have had lots of rigs with heaters and i just unplug the truck when I leave and back in when i get home. What is timer for?

 

[JohnE]

<blockquote>... What is timer for? </blockquote>

If you only need an hour or two of heat, why run it for 12 or more hours? The blocxk heater supplied in the Cummins does not have a thermostat as in many other units. I've even burned out heaters with thermostats by leaving them plugged in all night. Besides, if you pay 30&cent; per Kw it adds up quickly. I only pay 7&cent; per Kw and still use a timer. I start my cycles at an hour for overnight temps in the 30&deg; F. range and go as high as 6 hours on the -30&deg; F. nights.



I choose the friendly route.

Friendly to my billfold.

Friendly to the environment.



My 2 reale



-John

 

[SteveAZ]

Originally posted by illflem

So you mean to say that on the newer trucks they don't give you enough cord to make it past the bumper? My '95s have plenty. Must have saved Dodge a whole 5¢ shortening the cord.

Yes, but it only cost an over paid bean counter a couple months salery to figure out the nickle savings.