What temp should I use my block heater?

[PJ]

Last night it got to 25 degrees. I still have yet to start my truck as Ive been a bit under the weather. Monday through Friday, I take my youngest son to a early morning Church class before school at about 6:30 am. It's really cold that early and I was wondering if I should be plugging in my block heater. Also, anyone know what the watts are on the heater? I was thinking of hooking up a timer to the plug so it would turn on about 3 hours before I start it up. Also, will it make the heater work sooner than the usual 10 min?

Thanks in advance for all the input. this is the best site on the web and i visit it daily! Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[GFritsch]

I use mine when it gets cold enough for frost. It is nice to have the glass clear and the truck warm almost immediatly. I use a timer and set it to come on about 1 hour before take off. --Just don't forget to unplug!

 

[Udaloy]

You will definitely see heat sooner if you leave it plugged in at night. Putting a timer on the circuit would be a good idea if you're so inclined. I usually just plug it in, and let it run all night. When I pull into the drive, I put all the heat on the windshield, and with the block heater going, I usually don't have any cleaning to do the next morning. As far as what temperature is good, I'll plug it in if it's going to be around freezing. I know some people that plug it in at anything under 45° to 50°. I've never heard anyone with facts that shows how much it costs to run the block heater, but I'd be interested if someone knows.



Udaloy

 

[RKerner]

I've never heard anyone with facts that shows how much it costs to run the block heater, but I'd be interested if someone knows.



Udaloy

It's about 6. 5 cents a kilowatt hour here. If you cheat and run an off-peak circuit, it's about half of that. So, for about $0. 78 per 12 hours assuming the block heater is 1000 watts. Some others have researched it and it may be 750 watts. I was in the hardware store this morning and they have outdoor outlets that are controlled by remote, for outdoor lighting. The specs say up to 1650 watts with one type of lighting and 960 watts continuous. This would be easier than setting the timer thingy. Oo.

 

[p-Bar]

Do the timer. I would plug in my old Ford diesel And use the timer set about 4 am it would start right up with out the glow plugs operating. The time would depend on your location (temp) . Lets save a little energy out there. We pay the highest rates for electricity and fuel. (So. Cal. )

 

[hclark]

PJ

I plug in < 40 degrees. I use a timer 3-4 hours before departure. Be sure you un plug. I have forgotten several times with my previous truck and a couple of times with a company truck in the Arctic. I leave a card on my seat that says un plug, and have made it a habit not to start the truck until it is unplugged. I put the card away after I have un plugged. 167,000 miles on my 97 and 50,000 on my 03 no related problems.

hc

 

[CLAYTON]

I am able to park in my garage (with a few modifications) where it is gets down to 50 when it's real cold out but I'll still plug in just to have it warm up faster and to have heat as soon as I start it up. It's a personal choice on how cold or when you decide to plug in. Having a nice warm truck though is worth every penny

 

[Kry226]

Anyone know what the life expectancy of a block heater is? I plug in for the heat, not for ease in starting the engine. This thing will fire right up in -20.

 

[Udaloy]

Anyone know what the life expectancy of a block heater is? I plug in for the heat, not for ease in starting the engine. This thing will fire right up in -20.

A long time? I can't remember the last time I saw a hot plate go bad. There really isn't anything to it that will break. Unless of course, you drive off with it plugged in too many times...

 

[Radshooter]

My trick to remembering to unplug is if you have enough cord, loop it over the outside mirror on the driver's side. In Idaho, I ran the cord the length of the truck from the back, over the mirror, and around the front to plug in. That way I could not even open the door without unplugging the heater.

 

[scottmcd]

here in NW Washington, I plug in every night. Makes starting easier, and warms up that much faster. Forgot last night, it got down to 27 and she fired rite up, but took time to defrost and get warm. left work at 34dgs 2nite, and it took 10 min to get heater toasty, need plugs @ work. IMO

 

[hammersley]

Under 40 degrees plug her in ---

and use the timer as well... ... a warmer engine is a better engine..... in all aspects.

 

[Rosco]

I have yet to use the block heater this winter and it has been down into the 20's on several nights. I use to start plugging in when it was cold enough to make the truck rattle, shake, and growl upon startup. However, since I switched over to Mobil Delvac1 synthetic oil a few months ago the truck does not fuss nearly as much upon starting as it did when I ran the 15w40 dino oil.



FWIW, I tested the cold weather start capabilities of my truck last winter while I was up in New Hampshire snowmobiling during the coldest weather of the season. Actual air temps overnight were -25 degrees and I had no where to plug my truck in. All I did was cycle the grid heaters 2 times and the truck fired right up (albeit rather loudly and angrily). Also, during that trip I was still using dino oil. My new approach is if we are going to have an extended cold snap then I will use the block heater otherwise I plan to keep the electric meter on my house spinning slower than the speed of sound.

 

[GFritsch]

My trick to remembering to unplug is if you have enough cord, loop it over the outside mirror on the driver's side. In Idaho, I ran the cord the length of the truck from the back, over the mirror, and around the front to plug in. That way I could not even open the door without unplugging the heater.

Good trick. As my outlet is in the garage, I hang the truck keys on a nail by the plugged in extension cord. Retrieving the keys reminds me. More than once I got quite angry at 3:00 am looking for my keys, but glad I didn't drive off plugged in. (the brain isn't always quite there before the first cup)

 

[AMink]

The timer and cord over the mirror is great. I plug in when it's going to be below 30-35. The truck runs much smoother right off the start. If I don't plug in, it's kind of grumpy for the first few miles. It was about 5 last night-brrr! I also think there is less strain on the batteries.