How long can I leave the truck plugged in?

[Radshooter]

I sometimes go 2 or 3 weeks without driving the beast. I do like to keep it plugged in just in case the wife's truck won't start some cold morning though. Does it hurt anything to be plugged in constantly that long? I don't pay for electricity, so it is not hurting my wallet.

 

[jelag]

We only plug our trucks in when we expect the temperature to drop below 15 * F.

Life of the heating unit is your only worry... ... . I keep some of my trucks on a timer. . the timer comes on about the time we either get up... . or we open the shop... so by the time we are ready to move the truck its ready...

If I have a truck I want to be ready I'd run the timer on for an hour and off for 2 hours during the day when I might use the truck...

When we're out of town and we expect it to be below 15* F. we plug it in when we turn off the engine and unplug it when we have the engine started the following day...

 

[CurtLee]

I leave mine plugged in all the time and haven't noticed any ill effects. Depending on my schedule it can be plugged in up to a week at a time without anyone driving it.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks guys. I have started it below zero without being plugged in and not have any problems, but if it can be plugged in, I figure why strain the batteries on a cold start if I don't have to.

 

[Motorhead]

When I had my '01. 5 and was still working, I bought a 15 amp rated Intermatic timer. It has the three prong plug and receptical. You could run one of those and set it to come on at a time when the temps drop.

WOO... HOOO, Retired 4 years now. No more getting up at 3:00AM to go to work!!!Oo.

 

[DWordinger]

Emergency generators at hospitals, police departments, fire stations, etc. have the heaters in their diesel powered generators plugged in continuously. You never know when the emergency power source may be needed or what the temperature will be.



On a related item, previous discussions on this board have discussed unplugging the block heater before starting the engine to prevent thermal shock to the heater. Emergency generators are started once a week to ensure the battery, starter, and the rest of the emergency system are functional. This is done without disconnecting the heater. In a real emergency (loss of primary power) the generator's heater, along with the rest of the facility would be "turned off" until the generator started and and powered all the emergency circuits. (FYI By code, this must be within 10 seconds for systems like emergency lighting. ) For the weekly exercise, the primary power, from the local utility, is not lost so the heater is on when the generator starts. They last years used this way.



I park my truck in an attached garage that usually stays above 40°. I use the block heater all winter, but since I have to pay for my electricity, unlike you, Radshooter , I have the heater on a timer like motorhead to turn on about the time I wake up. The heater isn't needed for starting; I'm just trying to get the engine warmed up sooner so I can use the cab heater and window defroster.

 

[Wayneman]

Emergency generators at hospitals, police departments, fire stations, etc. have the heaters in their diesel powered generators plugged in continuously. You never know when the emergency power source may be needed or what the temperature will be.



On a related item, previous discussions on this board have discussed unplugging the block heater before starting the engine to prevent thermal shock to the heater. Emergency generators are started once a week to ensure the battery, starter, and the rest of the emergency system are functional. This is done without disconnecting the heater. In a real emergency (loss of primary power) the generator's heater, along with the rest of the facility would be "turned off" until the generator started and and powered all the emergency circuits. (FYI By code, this must be within 10 seconds for systems like emergency lighting. ) For the weekly exercise, the primary power, from the local utility, is not lost so the heater is on when the generator starts. They last years used this way.



I park my truck in an attached garage that usually stays above 40°. I use the block heater all winter, but since I have to pay for my electricity, unlike you, Radshooter , I have the heater on a timer like motorhead to turn on about the time I wake up. The heater isn't needed for starting; I'm just trying to get the engine warmed up sooner so I can use the cab heater and window defroster.

What kind of difference does the block heater make in warm-up and the availability of heat. Is there a noticeable difference. Mine starts great, no matter the temp but it might take 10 to 15 minutes to get any heat. We also pay 21 cents/kilowatt hour here in NW CT. Thanks

 

[rbattelle]

What kind of difference does the block heater make in warm-up and the availability of heat. Is there a noticeable difference. Mine starts great, no matter the temp but it might take 10 to 15 minutes to get any heat. We also pay 21 cents/kilowatt hour here in NW CT. Thanks

Dave's post is excellent, and I agree with everything he said.

I find a HUGE difference in warmup time when using the block heater. My coolant temperature hits 140°F within 3 miles (non-highway) if the temperature is above 25°F outside. Below that, it takes a little longer, but generally not more than 4 miles even in the coldest weather. [I know this because it's almost exactly 3 miles from my house to the highway onramp I take to work].

Years ago, I used to plug in my block heater when I got home from work, while the truck was still hot, then unplug the next morning and drive off. Sometimes I would leave it plugged in that way for days at a time.

Now I drive my truck once per week or less in cold weather, so I only plug in with a timer set for 2-4 hours before my scheduled departure.

The user manual says not to leave the heater plugged in when the truck is running, but I fail to see the harm in it.

Ryan

 

[nanook]

I have 2 supplemental magnetic 250 watt heaters on my oil pan due to the extreme cold here in interior Alaska ( its negative 33 right now) run all heaters into one three way cord, and use a timer to have the heaters turn on at 2 am so I fire my truck up at 7 am.

 

[Jeremiah]

More to block heaters than you might think

There is great value in keeping these engines warm in the winter. I even have block heaters in my gasoline engines. I ran a 90 Accord 334,000 miles before selling it for $1400 -- same engine, same clutch, same trannie, no repairs, routine maintenance. This is anecdotal, obviously, but I attribute its longevity to not making the engine lubricate itself with cold oil.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

I do not remember when I read this or what post it was... but I read this on TDR. Leaving the block heater plugged in when your engine is running can create an air bubble that will shorten the life of the block heater element considerably. I do not know if this is true or not... just passing on what I read here in TDR. I am located in NW PA and it is 6 degrees as I type this, wind chill is -7 degrees. The block heater in my rig makes a tremendous difference in the time it takes for me to get cab heat... in complete agreement with rbattelle as noted in his post. Approx 2-3 miles and I have good cab heat. Without the block heater it takes me 12 miles to get cab heat. I just ordered a winter grill insert cover from Eric Buckel from TDR classifieds too. That will help also I am hoping. (Wish I was back in Sierra Vista AZ right now!) Brrrr! :-laf