2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission When To Plug-in The Block Heater

[rchall]

I NEW TO THE DIESEL WORLD. MY QUESTION IS A WHAT OUT SIDE TEMPERATURE DO YOU PLUG-IN THE BLOCK HEATER? I LIVE IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, NEAR THE NORTH CARLINA BORDER. THE TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 10 TO 40 DEGREES AT NIGHT IN THE WINTER MONTHS. IS THERE ANY SET GUIDELINE TO GO BY??



THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER

RICKY C HALL

TRUCK TAG: ME&COLE

-- email address removed --

 

[vssman]

Ricky,



This is one of those things that will get you many different answers. I live in CT, have had my truck since new and never have plugged it in. I never have trouble starting it either. Yes, when it's cold out 0-20 F it will shake and sputter a bit but it always has started. I think you may want to plug it in below 30 to help you get heat faster in the morning & help defrost/deice the windshield. One thing to check is if the fuel you buy is treated. If not, I'd put in some anti-gel. Up here, I even use it in treated fuel. By the way, mine is a 12V. Maybe 24V's act differently?? and someone that has one can chime in.

 

[24V-DSL]

Embarrassed...........

Do all 24V trucks have a block heater or is it part of an "option" package?



If I have one, where the hell is it?

 

[Shovelhead]

Re: Embarrassed...........

Originally posted by 24V-DSL

Do all 24V trucks have a block heater or is it part of an "option" package?



If I have one, where the hell is it?

Pop the hood, look tucked in behind the radiator support, headlight area on the passenger's side..... You should see the wire and plug with it's cover on it.



The Block Heater is standard with the Cummins package.



rchall,

I live just outside DC NORVA area, and I start plugging mine in (On a timer) when the temps drop below freezing at night.

Helps with the warm-up in the AM when you leave it plugged up on "fast-idle"..... just DON"T FORGET TO UN-PLUG IT before you drive off. :-laf..... yeah I've done it too... ..... :{

 

[rchall]

block heater 25v

YES ALL 24V HAVE THE BLOCK HEATER!!



THE PLUGIN FOR IT IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE

FRONT END, NEXT TO THE HEAD LIGHTS!!



PLUG IN TO THE TRUCK BEFORE PLUGIN THE WALL

 

[24V-DSL]

thanks, guys....

Jeez... . Can't believe I've never seen it. I'm going to my room now... .

 

[BV]

Block Heater

Normally I would not plug in unless the weather had heavy frost, good ole Oregon freezing rain or below 25 in the forcast.

 

[Boondocker]

block heater

Living in Las Vegas, you wouldn't think I'd care about plugging in, but I do! The winter time morning lows regularly get below freezing and that's my que. If your Wait-to-Start takes 30 seconds, then it's cold. I just go out and plug it in a couple of hours before drive time. After being plugged in for a couple hours, the Wait-to-Start is only 3 seconds and it idles smooth and warms up quicker. It's standard equipment for good reason. Not using it because you can get away with cold starting is of no benefit to your truck.



Use an extension cord that is long enough so you can loop it over your drivers-side rear view mirror, that'll make it harder to forget to unplug BEFORE your start the motor.



Regards,

Neil

Sunny and Cold in Southern Nevada

 

[Shovelhead]

Boondocker,

Cummins actually came out with a TSB about leaving it plugged in while warming up.

It helps get the engine temps up quicker.



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/cummins01-06-00.htm

 

[BigMike]

I'm just in the habit of plugging it in at night when temps are below 40. Big difference in morning start and warmup. I think the owners manual recommends you plug it in at below 40. Could be wrong on that and to lazy to go look.

 

[lizzyhermit]

Re: thanks, guys....

Originally posted by 24V-DSL

Jeez... . Can't believe I've never seen it. I'm going to my room now... .

hey you ain't the lone ranger. I discovered mine about a year ago having owned the truck since new. 'course down here we don't need 'em much.

 

[LSMITH]

Plug in if you want heat in the cab before you have driven 8-10 miles, otherwise let it go. It will start down to -15* just fine without being plugged in.

 

[lmills]

I typically plug mine in as soon as the temp hits arouunf 40*. I am used to being pampered with the instant heat. I started out doing it so my two lil boy's wouldn't get cold. Then it became something that I did all the tiime. I have it on a timer that comes on at 4:30 in the morning. I usually leave around 7:00 That gives it 2-1/2 hrs to warm up.



Not to mention I think it is a lot better on the engine to have the oil warm. Oil pressure comes up faster also.

 

[illflem]

Excellent advice to follow

Not using it because you can get away with cold starting is of no benefit to your truck.

When I read of folks here never plugging in, starting up at below zero I just cringe. I guess some folks don't mind trading a few years of engine life for a few bucks on the power bill.

Below 40° for me

 

[Cooker]

What illflem said

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

ACTUALLY, ACE hardware sells thermostats made to wire into varying circuits that could easily be combined with a timer - thus, at, say, 4:30 a. m. IF the temperature was below 35 degrees, the block heater would come on... The whole shootin' match probably wouldn't cost over $15 to make up...

 

[Phil Stuart]

Block heater

I have mine set to come on at 40 deg. ambient. Plus I use a timer in conjunction with a commercial refrigeration temperature control hard wired to it. I'll set the timer to come on about 3 hours before I need to go and the rest is taken care of.

No wasted electricity.

I agree with Illflem on this, 40 deg.



Phil

 

[pcarlson]

To bad they don't put in plug-ins at work. Supposed to be -20F tonight. After sitting for 12 hours the rig could use alittle heat. We will see how quickly the 3 cylinder operation warms it up.



On another note anyone know the resistance values for the block heater. I think mine is going out. Used to snap and crackle when I plugged it in cold and now it barely gets warm to the touch. I'd like to test it before I replace it.

 

[illflem]

pcarlson, what you need in your situation is an Espar heater. Considering the high price of power in Alaska it would pay for itself in no time.

http://www.espar.com/htm/applies/pickup.htm

 

[pcarlson]

illflem,



I know a few folks up here with them on and love 'em. I don't know if the dealer here has any left as he bought one of there last lots and was selling them quick. He told me espar was not going to make the heater for the Dodge ISB anymore so what's out there for stock is all that's left, I guess.