Whats the block heater wattage?

[gsbrockman]

I have never heard this. If that is the case, I need to change my ways! I ALWAYS run the motor with it plugged in till I am ready to drive out!

x2..... with no ill effects on my last 4 CTD's.

 

[EricBu12]

I used to run engine with it plugged in too. . Til one day it wasn't heating up. . Went to replace the element, no tell tale damage. . Cummins parts man told me not to run engine with it plugged in. The current of the water going by the element messes up the element with static so it won't work.

If your element still heats up, you're lucky... Anyway that is what I was told.

 

[BK]

I've had the plug end of the cord set fail on mine. you can feel it getting really warm.
A very long time ago, someone else on the forum reported that theirs melted, damaging the plastic on the bumper. They can go on fire. Also the extension cord's recptical can go "bad", and it's heat can melt both.
So watch them, if either of the molded plug ends are getting real warm, replace the cord set or extension cord.

I doubt it's "static" that caused the heating element to fail , due to the truck running while the heating element was plugged in.
It maybe some electrolysis if you don't keep up on your antifreeze changes.
More so I would think an effect of the coolant being hot already and the element over heats since the coolant isn't able to dissipate the heat from the heating element...
But I think if you had it plugged in for a minute or two while just starting the truck , it would be ok. I've been doing that for years and no problem.

I found bulb grease works great for keeping the plug on the cord set, and socket end on the extension cord happy/clean.

I have my heater as part of my X10 system. It's on a relay module.
After some bad plugs and one totally failed cord set, I now monitor my heater remotely for voltage and current, so I can see if I have a good connection and it's working.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Dont run engine with block heater energized

Also be aware that running engine with block heater on can cause air pocket or 'steam bubble' as a local motorhead called it; supposedly causing premature failure of heating element. On a similar note; I bought a cord from my local Cummins parts dealer here in Hubbard Ohio. There is a tape tag on the power cord next to the plug that actually states NOT TO START ENGINE FOR ONE MINUTE AFTER DISCONNECTING POWER FROM CORD. I guess they are serious about it then huh?? :-laf

 

[BK]

geez the 1st I heard of that warning, guess it can make some sense.
but if it is a habit of the heater to do that, they'll burn out quick as well, since again, not very good contact with the water will cause poor heat transfer, and lots of localized heating in the element and should then accelerate a failure I would guess.