Oil Pan heater

[DBeeman]

Finally got around to installing the oil pan heater, and just in time as it was -17 this morning. Truck started up nicely, and oil pressure was in the middle of the normal range, instead of riding the high side for the first 5 minutes or so. The block heaters in these trucks work great, anyone know how many watts they use? I was going to install a heater pad on the transmission pan too, but between the block heater and the oil pan heater it is just below the limit for my outlet(plugged in Christmas Lights and it popped). Anyhow, I am happy, just need to switch the oils I can to synthetic.



Dave

 

[illflem]

700 watts on the block heater

 

[WDaniels]

Dbeemen,

The wattage limit for the outlets on Eielson are 1800 watts. So if your oil pan pad is 200 and your transmission is 150 that would put you at 1050 watts, well below the 1800 allowed. Do you have just one pad on your oil pan? I have 2 on mine, one on each side. At -40 and 50 it takes alot to keep those 12 qts warm.

WD

 

[DBeeman]

Just one right now. I guess I could have a weak GFI outlet. If I end up staying here another 3 years, I will look at getting an Espar heater. I have had this truck for 5 months, hit 6000 miles earlier this month, running Rotella T in it for now. it is -20 out now, and the oil is still good and fluid. Amazed at how well just the block heater works, but wish I had a heated garage for it. Thanks for the replies.

 

[nickleinonen]

i tried to use my gfci outlet in the garage to plug in my block heater and oil pan heater in, but it kept popping too, i now just use the normal outlet next to my gfci. no problems with that...

 

[Adam]

They should take alot more juice!

Dave,



I had a '99 that lived on EAFB for three years (Deborah Loop area, no garage). It was winterized by Gene's Chrysler when I bought it, so it had everything... 2 battery pads, 2 oil sump heaters, and a pad on the transmission pan in addition to the block heater. Total draw was somewhere around 2000 watts. The housing brochure says nothing over 1850, but I never had a problem with 'em popping breakers. Just for info, don't park in the chow hall parking lot. For some reason, the circuit won't trip, but you're not getting the full power to your heaters, and it can be a real PITA at -40 to get it running without hurtin it.



-Adam

 

[Gordon Maney]

What kind of oil pan heater are you using? What was your source?