I need a timer for the block heater

[JHardwick]

Based on what I pay per KWH, my block heater costs me $. 4056 for a 12 hour heat cycle. If I plug it in for twelve hours everynight for a month, it'll cost me a grand total of $12. 168 for that month.



Now consider I rarely get 8 hours of sleep, I doubt very seriously that my truck will be plugged in 360 hours in a month.



Also consider, I only "plug it in, plug it in ... . lalala" when temps are sub freezing.



So, by my calculations, that $60 timer will take 2 winters to pay for here in Ohio, not the 4 that I previously stated. My bad.



Another thing to consider. A 2 or 3 hour heat cycle may have some of the coolant heated ,but, I plug mine in at full operating temp when I arrive home. I'm guessing my coolant, oil and even metal parts are way warmer first thing in the morning after an 8-10 hour heating cycle under these conditions.



If it were me, I'd have one of these block heaters on a gasser too! Cold engine start up in the winter is killer on any engine.



on edit ... ..... I paid $40,000 for the darn thing, I can pay $30-$40 a year to keep her warm and toasty



Most guys spent more than that on fuel additives, excessive oil changes etc etc ... ..... think about it!

 

[Blakers]

They have some nice weather proof timers with a flipper door they sell for outdoor lighting. These are under 20 bucks and work nice. They will handle the amperage.

 

[DGFoster]

Your right,id rather keep her nice and warm,and pay a few extra to keep her comfy

 

[Doubleclutch]

Hammersley- re.

Depending on your electric cost -

Go back to work. You're not ready to retire yet.

Greg

 

[patcarman]

we spend 40,000 for a pickup,and u r worried about a few dollars a month.

 

[dhill]

I was told by the dealer that I bought my truck from that the heater was 1000 watts, bs or not I believe it. That being said, if you go to the Zerostart web site and look under Dodge light and medium duty trucks you'll see that the Cummins doesn't show the wattage BUT it does for the v10 and 5. 2 v8 and 5. 9 v8 and they are all 1500 watts. I can't believe that they would put a 750 watt heater in the diesel and a 1500 watt heater in the gassers. The point is the timer should be rated for at least 1500 watts, if you use one that is rated less than that you run the risk of, at the very least, breaking the timer. I know many people use under rated timers all the time, but people burn down their homes by plugging toooo many things into the outlets in their homes. I bought a timer rated at 1650 watts at the local hardware store for around $15, might be overkill but I'll take that chance for a couple of bucks.



Dave





http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/Files/us_zerostart_04cat.pdf

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

2004 Owner's Manual, p. 212 "110 Volts AC and 6. 5 Amps"

I have been using a $6 K Mart timer for years. It has red and green pins to set start and stop times.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

I'm with bpenrod. I, too, used to leave mine plugged in all night. That is until I got my first electric bill and about crapped. I guess it depends on where you live and what rate you're being charged, because it wasn't no $5 extra per month. I bought just a regular timer as well and I haven't had any problems with it for the past three years. I have mine coming on about 3 hrs before I have to leave and, except when it gets in the single digits and below, it fires right up.

 

[DWordinger]

I measured the load on my block heater (2003) and it is 750 watts. I don't think I've ever seen a plug-in timer that wasn't rated 15 Amp, which would be 1800 Watts. If mine ever burns out I would like to replace it with something larger. The 750 is adaquate but a little more heat so the defroster works better quicker would be nice. I wonder if Cummins or NAPA has a larger block heater for the ISB.

 

[Warwagon]

I was told by the dealer that I bought my truck from that the heater was 1000 watts, bs or not I believe it. That being said, if you go to the Zerostart web site and look under Dodge light and medium duty trucks you'll see that the Cummins doesn't show the wattage BUT it does for the v10 and 5. 2 v8 and 5. 9 v8 and they are all 1500 watts. I can't believe that they would put a 750 watt heater in the diesel and a 1500 watt heater in the gassers. The point is the timer should be rated for at least 1500 watts, if you use one that is rated less than that you run the risk of, at the very least, breaking the timer. I know many people use under rated timers all the time, but people burn down their homes by plugging toooo many things into the outlets in their homes. I bought a timer rated at 1650 watts at the local hardware store for around $15, might be overkill but I'll take that chance for a couple of bucks.



Dave





http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/Files/us_zerostart_04cat.pdf

Dave,

If you check out the part number for the CTD #3500030, and go to page 36 you'll see its rated at 750w.

 

[JHardwick]

I'm paying $0. 045 per KWH here. Makes sense to me to keep it plugged in with no timer.

 

[gsbrockman]

we spend 40,000 for a pickup,and u r worried about a few dollars a month.

Krazy, huh ? :-laf :-laf

Greg, completely timer-less

 

[CAgnoli]

15 amp timer

I got a 15 amp timer from home depot. 15 amps is plenty and I set mine for 3 hours.

Mberry, you are so right. I use a 15 amp timer from Home depot as well, and it works great. I seem to remember in another thread that one of the members stated the block heater only draws 8amps anyway.



BTW, 3 hours is the magic number. 2 hours isn't enough, and any longer than 3 hours, just pay's the electric company more more more.

 

[bpenrod]

I'm paying . 097 per kwh! Maybe that is why I noticed it on my bill so much.

 

[dhill]

Dave,

If you check out the part number for the CTD #3500030, and go to page 36 you'll see its rated at 750w.

Well if that's what it says then I stand corrected. I still don't understand why Dodge would give the Cummins, that needs cold weather help, a 750 watt heater and a gasser that doesn't a 1500 watter. Everything about the Dodge is heavy duty except that.



Dave

 

[EEdmondson]

$. 107/KWH at Tahoe. That's about $. 08/hour, $0. 80/10 hours, $24/month at 10 hours per day. At 3 hrs/day it would be $7. 20/month. The reason I could afford a new truck is I don't throw away $$ on wasted electricity.

 

[DGFoster]

2004 Owner's Manual, p. 212 "110 Volts AC and 6. 5 Amps"

I have been using a $6 K Mart timer for years. It has red and green pins to set start and stop times.

I got the same timer,with the red and green pins,seems to do fine.

 

[JWinans]

For the past 4 years my 95 had toi sit outside all year as the 3 car guarge was full of vehicles and tools, so it was on a 110 all winter, and always started great. Now with 04. 5 and my new 30x50 guarge I use a temp block purchased at the farm supply, it turns on and off at 35 degrees. If it's really cold or looks like it will, I plug in the cord directly. This winter so far has been mild, but the cat sure likes it when the engine is heated, comes out the right side all warm and tostie. Always have to make sure she's out before starting.

Jim Winans

Victor, Idaho

2004. 5 standard cab,Afe airfilter,

tonneau cover, Husky floormats, engine temp, turbo temp, boost, ehaust brake,seat covers, dash cover, cold weather bra.

 

[RChamberlain]

I got my timmer from home depo just make sure it and outside timmer my timmer kicks on 2 hrs before I leave to got to work and the heater is warmed up just enough to defrost the windows quicker

 

[JHardwick]

Yanno ... ... ... . I just can't help but to wonder about some people