2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How long for the block heater to fully heat the block?

[firefighter_2000]

Im planning on setting up a timer for my block heater to come on during the night. How long does it take for the block heater to get the block & all to maximum temperature?

Thanks

Craig

 

[Skydiver]

That just depends on the outside ambient temperature.
I find that 2 hours is plenty @ 25F.

 

[MAllen1]

I've experienced the same thing on my 99. You will need 2 hrs. at a dead cold.

 

[Tinman]

I usually give it 4 hours. I have it on a timer to come a about 4 AM.

 

[jeepit]

4 Hours at 0 degrees.

 

[PC12Driver]

According to my digital oil temp guage tapped into the top of the oil filter housing:



Mine will max out to about 95* in the 20-30* garage in about 2 hours. I could leave it plugged in all day and still show 95*. Outside in the same temps it'll get up to about 72* in the same time, and only slightly higher if plugged in longer as well. In either case, the temps drop about 15-20* once the four gallons of unheated oil begin to circulate after start.

 

[EGroeneveld]

My timer comes on at 2AM so I can leave the house around 5AM. Seems to be about right.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Arkansas

It doesnt just get miserably cold in Arkansas much. I can probably set for three hours and be good to go. Thinking of doing two seperate timers. Looking at mounting a small cabin heater under the seat to warm the cab up. Come on about 30 mins before I leave. Have it nice & toasty inside.



Anyone have any ideas on a really small heater that could be mounted somewhere, maybe under the seat or under the dash that would be enough to take the chill off?



Craig

 

[Newf Limo]

the truck fleet where I am a spare driver is set up on timers. We have about 25 Volvos and a couple KW's on a bank of outlets. They come on, if memory serves, 45 minutes on and 45 minutes off, back and forth. Unless they changed it. I will try to remember to check again when I go back. I know that when i pull my tractor out and put my truck in and plug it in, it doesn't ask for a pre heat cycle when i get back. That can be 10 hours later, at 1:00AM and 10 below zero. That is the only time my truck ever gets plugged in. -20 at home, tough luck Jake, suck it up like the rest of us, and get yur butt in gear!

 

[CCiatteo]

I have experimented with different times and I don't notice much difference in starting between 3 hours and all night except in the engine mounted accessories. If I plug in all night, the power steering doesn't groan at all in the morning, the clutch pedal feels smoother. If I only plug in for 3 hours, the steering is a little noisy and stiff, the clutch pedal is a little stiff, but still better than no plug in at all. Engine cranking and start up are the same though. 3 hours is enough here in NJ.

chris

 

[SRath]

Maybe a Zippo?

"Anyone have any ideas on a really small heater that could be mounted somewhere, maybe under the seat or under the dash that would be enough to take the chill off?"

In Arkansas?!! What chill? 20* to 30* is chilly, though that feels like a heatwave here. Does it get that cold there?

I can hear Howie Long now... . :-laf

 

[Quilbilly brian]

Does it hurt anything to leave it plugged in 24-7 in the winter. I live in Washington state on the west side of the cascade's the norm here is low to mid 30's at night up to high 40's during the day. . I have a friend who is a Paramedic and he said they had their fords plugged in 24-7 in the winter and they had problems with the head gaskets deteriorating.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

While the temp gauge doesn't rise into the zone, over 10 years I've found 2 hours more than adequate down to 2°F to make easy starting and heat available in cab.

 

[SRath]

We leave our semis plugged in for as many days as they sit idle, which is too often in this economy. Those trucks have never had head gasket issues because of it that I am aware of.

That block heater cannot begin to approach the temperature of a normal running engine, even in outside temperatures as warm as the 30's. They cannot even reach 100* (a good warm shower) in an average application. If that toasts head gaskets, then the head gaskets have issues to begin with.

Our company's policy is to plug in when temps fall below 32* (freezing) and to leave the truck running when below 0*. It isn't the motor that has trouble in subzero temps, it is fuel in the lines and filter and mostly the batteries.

I do not leave my tractor running. It has good batteries and I treat the fuel myself. The smog system on it cannot handle extended idling and when it plugs up it causes far worse problems than needing a jumpstart.

FWIW: I think plugging in (any truck) when temps are in the 30's or higher is just a waste of electricity.

 

[Coalsmoke]

I set mine up for 2-4 hours on the timer, depending on how cold it is.

It is fine to leave it plugged in 24 / 7, did that for years when I had my welding rig, never knew when I'd be called out so left it plugged in all winter.

 

[RDHamill]

I have my timer set to come on at 1am, for a 5am start. at -20 truck will start up just fine.
Last week my block was warm from 1 am Monday to Sat at 3pm, either plugged in or running.

 

[firefighter_2000]

firefighter

"Anyone have any ideas on a really small heater that could be mounted somewhere, maybe under the seat or under the dash that would be enough to take the chill off?"



In Arkansas?!! What chill? 20* to 30* is chilly, though that feels like a heatwave here. Does it get that cold there?



I can hear Howie Long now... . :-laf

Full time I work for a fire department, part time I work at the ambulance. Off duty, I volunteer at the local volunteer fire department. I keep my turnout gear etc it the truck, and it would be nice, during the 2 minute ride to the station or scene to have a warm cab, and warm gear to step into on the cold nights. And yep, 20* is COLD here. Lowest AVERAGE temp in arkansas is in the upper 30's for the whole year. But Im spoiled. When Im at work, I get to step into warm gear. Why not when Im off too?

Craig



Ohhh... yea and Im still looking to find a small heater for the truck. 110v preferrable.

 

[Skydiver]

Volunteer FF here.
I've used this one for since November, but not in my truck. It is small and has a low power setting which should be plenty for the cab. The low power setting should not cause a #12 extention cord to heat up. I liked the first one so well I bought another for work. Only $16
Walmart.com: Sunbeam Ceramic Heater: Home Improvement

 

[mwilson]

2 hours for mine to 0 degrees, 3 hours if it is going to be below 0.

That formula has worked for every "B" series Cummins that I have owned. My current truck (06) has started at -20 a couple times when it was not plugged in at all with no issues. The only scary thing is that it goes right to 1,000 rpm as soon as it fires off. :{

 

[SRath]

I wouldn't want my firefighters responding sluggishly, so by all means: HEAT THAT CAB!!

(You know you are about to leave a warm bed and house and get drenched and frozen when you get to the scene, right? Brrrrr! Shrivel me peter! Simultaneously roasting from proximity to the flames and freezing from the water. You have a very tough job, my friend, and are well-deserving of some small comfort when responding! )

In that case, my vote is for a small and inexpensive ceramic heater that does not get hot to the touch, as recommended above. Just one of those little buggers is enough to run me out of my camper on a very cold night at deer camp. And they are as safe as anything you will find.