Heater Plug Time?

[NNovak]

Tried to do a search and could not fine the info.



Here is the question?



How long does the heater plug need to be plugged in to do its job? Considering the temp outside will change this lets say 10F as the ave temp.



I normally just plug my truck it between uses but if I can save 5-8hrs of plug in time to help the electric bill I would like to.



Opinions good, field use feedback better, data backing great :-laf



Thanks

Nate

 

[Edgemann55]

I have found 3 hrs to work well down to 0 degrees. I hook mine up to a 20 amp timer.

 

[NavyDood]

Ditto edgmann55

 

[rbattelle]

I can only corroborate Edgemann's findings. I normally set for 3 hours.

-Ryan

 

[NNovak]

Then 3hrs is what I will set my timer for.



Thanks

 

[NNovak]

Andres, Yep got all that. No issues starting at all with out the block heater, mainly plug it in to be warmer quicker and my commute to work is only 5 miles. I have the CTD for the travel trailer in summer and hauling sleds in the winter, plut it is just cool.

I was deployed state side the last two years and the Army post wouldn't allow me to plug the truck in to my billits building and my truck started in -30 degrees using two cycles of the grid heater. Most gasers didn't start that day.



Since I can now plug it in again, trying to maximize the block heater with out paying for extra electricity bill.



Again this forum is great and always receive usefull feed back.

 

[EGroeneveld]

3-4 hours. My timer comes on at 2AM, I leave for work 5:30-5:45ish.



If its going to be really icey/snowy then I might adjust it earlier. 3 hours seems to be a good number.

 

[Motorhead]

As Edgemann55 said... Make sure it is a 20 amp timer with the three prong plug socket. The 15 amp timers won't last.
When I had my second gen (Was working then), I also had it to run 3 hours before running.

 

[CSkal]

3-4 hours. My timer comes on at 2AM, I leave for work 5:30-5:45ish.

If its going to be really icey/snowy then I might adjust it earlier. 3 hours seems to be a good number.

Same here, works well for me.

 

[NavyDood]

As Edgemann55 said... Make sure it is a 20 amp timer with the three prong plug socket. The 15 amp timers won't last.
When I had my second gen (Was working then), I also had it to run 3 hours before running.

All I have ever used was a 15a timer on a GFI outlet in my garage using a 25ft basic run of the mill orange extension cord. The block heater only draws 6. 5-7. 0 amps.

 

[Jim W]

I agree with the other poster too. I have my truck pluged into a 15AMP timer that has the three prong outlet.

I also have my winter front on too, helps in warming up of the engine also. To lazy to install when it is realy cold out. I put it on last week when the air temps were in the low 40's F.

Jim

 

[bheiting]

I also use syn. oil here in MN for the winter. A magnetic heater slapped on the bottom of the oil pan provides thin warm oil at start up as well.

 

[Prairie Dog]

It only gets into the 20's here so 2 hours works well for me.

 

[BLoging]

here in wisconsin when the temp's drop in the single degrees or lower i have the timer come on at midnight and i unplug it at about 6am when i go to work, and the truck start's a lot smoother than if it is not pluged in at all

 

[06SLTcs]

I've got my 15A time set for 3hrs as well, or maybe 3. 5. I can't remember. Its usually to get a warmer cab quicker as the coldest its been so far is in the teens. Its only about 6. 25A.