2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Timer

[jeepit]

What type of timer is needed for block heater? Am running the Dodge thru winter this year and don't want to run out to garage twice each morning.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Any timer rated for 10 amps or more and with grounding prong should work. There are some nice digital timers on the market now. bg

 

[Mtngoat]

Illflem told me about a thing called the thermocube. Its very cheap and plugs inline with your power cord to the heater. . It keeps the power off to the heater until the temperature reaches 40 deg. That way your not powering your heater when you don't need it. Havent got one yet but will soon. .



Robin

 

[elamb]

I just went to the radio shack and got me a timer. Nothing real fancy. I haven't ever heard of one that works off the temp. May have to look into that.



Eric

 

[illflem]

Click here for a Thermocube, they're even on sale right now - $11. 68

 

[Mtngoat]

Illflem-



Couldnt find the thermocubes around here so just placed an order with the website you provided. Thanks!!



Robin

 

[SpicyJam]

One thing I use and not very hard, although not a timer. This is a standard thermostat. When the temp gets below at what ever you set it ( the lowest mine will go is 30 degrees) the relay will kick in and send the power to the truck. I used to use this thermostat to heat my garage with a torpedo heater (cause my heater ran constantly while I was working). Now have a regular heater, so I just mounted the thermostat outside in its own box for the truck. Should figure out a timer like what is on the coffee pot, then I can just have it on for 4 hours.

 

[Deezul1]

I use a regular light timer on mine.

 

[rashwor]

I use just a timer on mine. I thought about this. Take the thermocube and plug it into the timer, and the cord into the thermocube. Then you have a set up that will only run when the temperature is below what you want and during the time you want. Might save another $0. 01.

 

[Mtngoat]

rashwor-



You are a thinkin man, no doubt about it



Robin

 

[JohnE]

My Espar has a nice timer mounted in the glove box. Hit the button once for program 1 and warm truck to drive to work. Hit the button twice for program #2 and nice warm truck to drive home.



The wife's mommy van gets the electric treatment. Block heater hooked to a $5 appliance timer. Warmed van to drive to school. Cold van to drive home.



The cheap appliance timers will work just fine if you do NOT let them turn off the block heater circuit. Closing a switch is easy on them. Opening the circuit is what kills the contacts. Been using the same timer for almost 10 years.

3 prong block heater plug? I use a 3 to 2 prong adapter, soldered a pigtail on the ground tab, and tied the pigtail to a ground.



How come all the banana belt diesel heads have these block heater tips? When I lived in Seattle, my neighbor's used to think I was looney for plugging in my vehicles.

 

[jeepit]

JohnE, Can you explain by what you mean when you say"do not let them turn off the block heater circuit?"

 

[JohnE]

The cheap applicance timers are rated for around 1,500 watts. I found even 700 watt loads are enough to cause problems after a few shut offs. when the timer turns the circuit off it creates an arc between the contacts. The arc between the contacts is ionized air and acts as a resistor and gets very hot. The contacts take the abuse and start pitting and flashing. Enough of those and they will either burn out or worse stick on.



If you want a timer to turn on and off then get something higher rated as a water heater timer.



If you use the thermocube in series that will take the abuse of shutting off. Not sure why they are so durable.

 

[jeepit]

On the box of the timer I puchased it said it could be used for block heaters.

 

[JohnE]

It should be fine.

I think most people plug in the timer and it runs until they disconnect the cord to leave. They don't use the timer control to turn it off.

 

[Shovelhead]

My timer is set to turn off about 15-20 minutes after I normally leave for work.

I usually see a fat spark when I unplug from the extension cord.

Cord ends are cheaper to change.



I also use a piece of velcro that I put on the steering wheel at the 12:00 position before I plug in for the night, and remove after I unplug in the AM to prevent driving off with the cord still plugged in.

 

[y-knot]

I went to a electrical supply house and bought a two pole 9 event electroic timer, not very expensive, but programable. Then mounted it in the garage, and tied it into a outdoor circuit that feed a retractable cord. So when you want to plug it in, the reel is located right in front of where I park, grab the end pull it out, plug it in. Timer will cycle on and off at the times I told it too. In the mourning unplug and the cord retracts, you get in to your warm truck and leave. Works great.

 

[Shovelhead]

Y-Knot ya might wanna keep an eye on that retractable reel cord.



I've seen posts where the tightly wound cord inside the reel has overheated and "warmed-up" things in ways that wern't intended.



Ed

 

[illflem]

Ed is right, most retractables say right on them to pull the cord all the way out before use.

I learned the hard way with one using just a 1/2'' drill, breaker flipped and the cord reel was melted into one mass.

Some guys who use them for block heaters cut the extra cord off to prevent this.

 

[Cooker]

I used an industrial timer like the kind used for commercial signs and lighting circuits. I have it inline before the plug to switch power on an off to the circuit. I never did like the cheesy appliance timers. JMHO