Does the block heater run continuously?

[CLAYTON]

Does the block heater run continuously or does it reach a certain temp and then cycle on and off?

 

[rbattelle]

It runs continuously. But if you're worried about overheating the truck by leaving it on too long, don't. I routinely leave mine plugged in for days on end with no ill effects (other than the electric bill).



-Ryan

 

[CLAYTON]

That's what I have done in the past... just plug in when I get home at night and unplug (usually :-laf ) when I leave in the morning. Maybe I'll buy a timer this year.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I think it's a 1500 watt heater if I remember right. About like a hair dryer. Continuous it is.



Here in Georgia, I can plug mine in when I wake up and 45 minutes later she's pretty warm. I'll get warm air out of the vents as I head out of the driveway.

 

[DHerzog]

I bought a $7 timer typically used to turn lights on and off if on vacation... I set it for three hours before I leave in the morning, so it is not running all night long... . works swell, so far.

 

[p-Bar]

I bought a $7 timer typically used to turn lights on and off if on vacation... I set it for three hours before I leave in the morning, so it is not running all night long... . works swell, so far.

Used to have to do it when I owned a FORD . It ate glow plugs for breakfast , the block heater wa the only way to start it in the morning. I do plan on setting up the Dodge for old time sake

 

[SRadke]

The stock heater is only 750 watts but I replaced the one in my old 12 valve with a 1500 watt unit. She warmed up really good I use a $40 indoor/outdoor timer from Grainger and it turns on 2 hrs before I leave.



-Scott

 

[Devan Manis]

out of curiosity has anyone ever taken temperatures of the coolant after the heater has been pluged in for 1,2,3... you get my point hours in 32 or lower temp? just kind of wonder if there is a point where it won't get any hotter than it does and what time it took to reach it then you could just set the timer for that far ahead.

 

[RHildreth]

It would be interesting to see what the temperatures get to. I have my blockheater on a timer and only use it when it is really cold, 10 degrees or less. It comes on two hours before I get up. I haven't noticed any difference in warm up time. The cab heater blows warm in about 5-10 minutes of driving. At zero degrees, it takes about 40 minutes of drive time to get to normal operating temperature. It doesn't seem to matter if I idle it for awhile or not, other than the cab heater warms up a little faster. I really don't like to run the block heater overnight because there is no circulation on the fluids. Maybe it doesn't hurt anything, but I keep having thoughts of it boiling dry in the middle of the night. I would rather start it cold. I just let the heater grid cycle a couple of times before I hit the starter and it fires right up. Even in the mountains hunting. I noticed that the owner's manual says something about without a block heater let it idle for 20 or 30 seconds longer than normal at temperatures below 20 degrees.

 

[SRadke]

There actually is circulation of fluids. It's not pumped but as the fluid around the heater warms up it forms a convection current and begins to circulate around. Don't wory about boiling it dry, if it was gunna do that it'd do it while you're driving.

 

[MRosinski]

Does anyone know the amperage? I'm gonna be plugging 2 trucks into one timer. Don't want to fry anything. Found one timer 1800/watts 15/amps. Wonder if thats enough.

 

[SRadke]

The stock block heater is 750 watts.



-Scott

 

[MRosinski]

How many amps about?

 

[RichardMClain]

6. 82 Amps on a 110 volt power supply.

 

[RHildreth]

No flame intended. I know there are convection currents, but the heater is at the top of the block where the heat wants to stay. It would take a considerable amount of heat to move it to the bottom of the block. The heater is operating while I'm driving and the water pump also circulates the liquid while I'm driving. The factory block heater just doesn't seem to be a really good system to me. I would think that you would be better off with an after market in-line radiator hose heater if you think you need one.

 

[SRadke]

The problem with inline radiator hose heaters is that the convections currents now circulate through the radiator where you prommtly loose all the heat you're trying to add. They are terribly inefficiant.



Next time it get's cold plug you block heater in and leave it for a few hours. Then go back out and feel diffrent parts of the block and tell us which part is hotter. You may be surprised how well that heat circulates

 

[Crunch]

Next time it get's cold plug you block heater in and leave it for a few hours. Then go back out and feel diffrent parts of the block and tell us which part is hotter. You may be surprised how well that heat circulates

I've felt the top of the block where the oil filler cap is and it is definitely warm enough to satisfy me that the block heater works well. Metal conducts heat well and should radiate excess heat away from the engine so I doubt that the temperature of the oil will climb all night long. If people are concerned about the temperature, they can always drill another sensor hole in the block and add a thermostat that will shut off the block heater at specific temps.

 

[JLovas]

Because the factory block heater is rather "wimpy", I added a peel on oil pan heater... its pretty small at 250 watts. So now I should have warm coolant and warm engine oil. I just put a three into one electrical connector on my grill guard so I can have a single hook point, and one circuit will easily pull the 1000 watts.

 

[Devan Manis]

it conducts well enough to warm up the IAT.

 

[rbattelle]

Maybe it doesn't hurt anything, but I keep having thoughts of it boiling dry in the middle of the night. I would rather start it cold.

I routinely leave mine plugged in for more than 48 hours at a time. Never any trouble at all.



I would like a more powerful heater, but this one does get the entire engine block warm to the touch. I suppose that's good enough.



-Ryan