2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How much current does heater draw?

[jrandol]

The cold is back here in Colorado! We just got a new house and I plugged my truck in this evening only to flip the breaker. How much current does the heater draw? Was plugged into a 15 amp line and it flipped pretty quick.

 

[Animal]

It sould draw about 6. 5 amps, but no more than 7 amps. You have a problem with the block heater or breaker in the house.

 

[fkovalski]

I had a very similar problem- I knew that the circuit could handle the draw as it had worked fine in the past, but lately it had been tripping. I used an emory board cut in half length wise and an old toothbrush and super cleaned ALL contacts (including extension cord). I flushed all with Brakleen. Be sure to clean the inside of the plug cap of the heater so that any deposits there do not transfer to the plug. It seems that crap over time caused a short at the plug connection. I have not tripped since doing this. Good Luck! -fjk p. s. - see ya' at the RMTDR meeting in January?

 

[CFAR]

Also try to use the shortest extention cord possible.



You also might want to see what else is on that circuit?



Woody

 

[Alan Reagan]

You may be tripping the ground fault.

 

[RobbyRam]

Suggestion: Use an extension cord with NO ground, and hook it up to a timer set to go on no more that three hours before you expect to start the truck.

Bob in Sacto

 

[HC]

The ground wire is a safety feature.



Bypassing or defeating the ground connection is probably one of those safety rules most of us have broken at least once, but I have to respectfully disagree with publicly recommending the practice.