ez_lle71

How much does our block heaters draw in watts?
Does it hurt them to be plugged in all night?
I have my 2 pickups plugged in all the time when it is this cold out. Is it hard on them? Its not that they won't start, its just easier on them i think to plug them in when i have the opportunity. I thought i heard of some old timers talking about plugging in diesels too long will cause electrolisis. Is there any truth to that? It might have been old tractors they were talking about. I just want to know what others are doing for cold weather. thanks everybody.
ez

ofcmarc

When I'm at work I leave it plugged in for 12 hours straight. Never a problem. Block heaters are just like the elements in a hot water tank. They'll last a long time.

pulltilbroke

I think our heaters are 750 watts i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong

BearKiller

Some of the earliest Ford/International diesels would crack the block when the heater was used, but that was a fault in the castings and not a fault of the heaters.


I have known of many farm-tractors (ours included) that sometimes stay plugged in for weeks at a time with no noticable harm.


In not so terribly cold climates, and when you are on a predictable schedule, using a simple ten-dollar timer to turn on the heater a couple hours prior to starting works out well.

Of course, if you are apt to leave at all hours, it would make more sense to just keep it plugged in.

klx650a2

At my old place of employment, we've had trucks plugged in for months at a time without issue. Its really nice when you're not paying the power bill.

belgianmagic

WHAT KLX SAID.....

they stay plugged in around the clock 24/7 for weeks

NO PROBLEM !

Yreka

Were block heaters standard equipment, or optional on our trucks ? Where would I find it normally ? I don't think my truck even has one.

Ace

I was talking to a bud at work here yesterday who was complaining his 3rd gen was hard to start, and he said it did not have a block heater. I cannot believe they sold a Dodge Cummins here in CO without a block heater. Evidently it was not standard equipment on the later trucks.

roxxx

Third Gens are pigs to start even when they have a block heater , my second Gen was a flippin dream I loved how it hold start cold ,I never tried to push it but it would roll over at minus 25 c no problem cycle the grid twice and way we go (i did run Cummins synthetic blue though) the third did come with wimpy little battery's to though compared to the 2 gen lol all this talk of cold starts and the funny part is i have to replace my 1 st gen block heater it also has an oil pan heater so i should be good till it get the block heater

cumminshakesit

they all have block heaters, dodge just decided not to give us the cord with the truck... you can get them on ebay for 15-20 bucks... i got mine at a junk yard. i don't think the cords have never changed since 89-90... trucks cost 3 times more and it seems like we get less and less... rotton sob's!!

Exekiel69

I got a fleetguard block heater for My ctd $47 to My door, looks exactly like the cummins one.

dzl_damon

We left a KTA on a ship plugged in for the last 12 years.... maybe replaced it at one time, but it's always at about 120*F or more. It's actually good for the engine to always stay warm (seals), but the electric bill is huge.

My truck draws 746watts according to my $20 Home Depot watt meter and the engine feels nice and hot when I plugged it in for an hour at 20*F (need a new battery and switch to 5W40)

I was suprised the new VW TDI's don't have a block heater and it's not even an option I don't think. You have to buy an inline type, not a block type. I was suprised for Maine. However it started with about a 2 second glow at 5*F a few weeks ago, I was impressed how easy it was. THese new style GP's and commonrail injection must be easier to start.

BearKiller

The block-heater should be on the right side, just behind the oil-filter.

It is possible that the heater is there and the cord is gone.

If it is intact and not damaged, the cord plugs into the heater and is then retained by a threaded ring/nut.


You don't have to buy the block-heater from a dealer-ship; KATS has them and most likely builds the factory ones for all makes of engines.

Yreka

Thanks BK, will take a peek next time I am in there.

BearKiller

Here are several pages of various engine heaters :



http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=12295127...i%3Aautomotive


Notice the NPT-pipe-plug heaters; I even saw one as small as 3/8-NPT; one could find all kinds of applications for those.


I saw the replacement cords amongst there somewhere.


Does anyone know what "MM" size our heaters are ??