Plug in question

[Cobra]

Now that the temps are in the 30s or less over night, does it do any harm to plug the truck in for the entire night. I know that it only takes about two hours for the heaters to work and I can use a timer but I just wondered if it would hurt to plug it in all night.

 

[chuck3]

Plug in.

No it wont hurt a thing other than it might hurt your pocketbook, they use quite a bit of power thats why most use the timers.

 

[JCockrell]

plug in

Don't know about anyone else, but I have been pluggin' mine in all night down here in TX when the temp get into the 30's. Haven't had any trouble for 3 years. 'Course its stays colder longer up there in PA.



Later,

Jeff

 

[SOOT]

Won't hurt a thing

I didn't start plugging my truck in until last week and it was in the single digits about 2 weeks ago for 4 days truck started fine sitting for 12 hours or longer.

 

[hammersley]

????

Isn't the heater plug on a thermostat setting in that once it reaches a certain temp it shuts off, or is it on all the time?

 

[Evan A. Beck]

No thermostat, it's always on if its plugged in.



I use my block heater every night, regardless of ambient temperature. Doesn't matter if it is 20° or 80°, I always use the block heater. It is much easier on the engine if it can be started warm... Note your oil pressure on a cold start. Plus, there is less expansion and contraction, which will cause less wear & tear on engine parts in the long run.

 

[BK]

The only problem I've heard about leaving them on all night is that someone that did (from another list), discolored the areas where the heaters are. Which means they aren't doing a very good job of distributing the heat generated and hotspots are occuring. I would have thought that maybe this would shorten the life of the heaters, but he said he never lost the heaters.

 

[Xgunfighter]

I use a temp. controlled 115 vac switch adapter. You can obtain at most places that carry fountains or pond supplies. Turns on at 38 degrees and off at 45 degrees. Different temps available.



Plug in when I get home and forgetaboutit...

 

[Cobra]

plug in

XGUNFIGHTER,

Thanks for the info. I had no previous knowledge of such an item. I'm not sure where to find one but I am going to check and I will get one. I like that idea. Thanks

 

[CRamsey]

Plugging in

Check out this site.....



http://www.thermocube.com/



They handle a wide varity of temps...

 

[drawson]

I use a cheap timer that turns it on 3 hours before I head out. On snowy night I do leave it plugged in all night to keep the snow off the hood.

 

[Red_Rattler]

It's not that expensive... for me anyways. I calculated it out, at the cost of my power, and it equaled a out ragious sum of 35 cents a night, not that bad IMO

 

[Hammer]

Cobra,,I keep mine plugged in from 40 degrees down,,The only time it is not is when I'm out on the road all week(can not seem to talk the big boss into having a place for us diesel guys to get hooked up at yet),,Kinda like Evan's theory though its got me thinking,,Only thing in it that does not relate is this,once a good synthetic oil is used,cold temp starts and long oil pressure buildup time is virtually eliminated,,Just my thought...

 

[RGRAT1618]

I have bee pluging my in every night. It makes it easier to get started and going with those 3am firecalls. I have not noticed much of a change in the electric bill.





Rob

 

[BK]

Cost of electric calculation...

justs for giggles...



I think the heaters add up to a total of 600Watts. .

(dont remember where I got the number from. . but correct me if I'm wrong. . but you'll get the idea anyway. . )





(FYI:They are resistive in nature... longer the extension cord the greater the drop, the voltage @ the elements, the less current will be drawn. )





If it's on for 10 hours. . for example = 8pm to 6 am. . @ 600 Watts

(600 Watts = . 6kW )



So 10 hours X . 6kW = 6kWhrs.



By me it costs about an average of 15cents / kWh for electric.



So:



6kWhrs x . 15 = $. 90 to keep it plugged in for 10 hours.



Bob

 

[Cobra]

plugginh in

BK

Are you saying it is better to use a long extension cord. My truck is in the garage close to an outlet but the shortest cord I have is 25 feet. Is that too long or is it good. Or are we getting toooooo technical here.

 

[BK]

sorry, for any confusion.



what I wanted to really say was that some think that they will have real problems with long extension cords. Which is not true with a resistive load (such as the heater in our trucks)... unlike a motor load (like a compressor or electric power tool).



With the truck's heater, the longer the cord, the greater the drop, the less voltatge at heaters, the less current will be drawn.



As long as the cord is rated for the current (about 6 amps) and the plug and outlet on the cord are in fine shape, all should be well.



Just fyi:

Last night I got bored and pulled out a power meter. .

(wanted to check the 600Watts I had either read or heard)

Results:

115. 3Vac measured 5. 6A and measured 645Watts.

When I disconnected the heaters from the extension cord the Voltage went up to 120Vac.

My extension cord is rated for 10Amps and is 25Ft...

So all is well, as should be yours Cobra.

Want more heat, shorten up the extension cord. . Less heat, lenghten it. You can just use a VOM to measure the AC voltage at the plug on at the truck to see what the Vac is that's present there to get a feeling how well your powering the heaters.

 

[Cobra]

plug in

B K,

Thanks for the info. That works for me.

 

[mike r]

Cobra, I'm not that far from you and I just use a timer out of the garage. I keep it set for two hours almost all winter unless I know it's going into the single digits. Then I just set it for three hours and the preheat light doesn't come on. Never had a problem yet.

 

[BK]

'welcome Cobra. .



Mike I do the same, I set the timer when I know what time I'm leaving in the AM. If I'm not on a regular schedule, when I get up I turn it on, takes me about an hour to get out of the house in the AM.



There are times I've forgotten totally, but never had a problem with it starting. But it sure sounds happier when I remember to use the heaters. Rare for us to hit the single digits here on LI.



HAPPY HOLIDAYS...



Bob