Bob Grace

Is there any length of time that you can have these pluged in? What I mean is over night is ok but how about a long three day weekend? I have owned this truck since it was new and this is the first time i have had the option to plug it in dure to apartment life.
Bob

Shovelhead

I plug mine in on a timer (set for 3am - 6 AM) on workdays when I need to head out quickly.
Only when the temps are forecast for <15* do I let it "eat" all night long.
The rest of the time, I have plently of time to let it warm up for 5 or so minutes so I don't bother.

Bob Grace

So I guess I shouldn't be leaving this thing plugged in all weekend!! I will go out anf buy a timer this week never even thought of that option.
Thanks

boondocker

It is my understanding that the heater is on a thermostat. Hopefully someone can verify that. If so it shouldn't matter how long it is plugged in other that eventually the element will burn out related to hours of use and of course the power bill. I plug mine in when I get home in the evening because I am under the impression that starting @ 185* and maintaining that all night is more efficient than taking 15* up to whatever temp in several hours. Not sure if it is a good philosophy, just mine.

fschiola

The heater is not on a thermostat, it will be hot all the time it's plugged in. Also depending on how cold it is outside, I doubt it will maintain anything over 140 degrees, but not anything close to normal operating temp.

Shovelhead

Correct on both counts.

SMOKNISB

I think it is just a waste on electricity to leave it plugged in all the time. It does not have a thermostat, so it runs all the time. You are just decreasing the life span of the element. I plug mine in about 3 hours before I leave. If it was below zero, I would be tempted to leave it plugged in all the time.

boondocker

Good to know, glad someone who knows chimed in.

Thanks guys, tomorrow I will be buying a timer for mine. Or I guess I could get up at 1 AM to plug it in for 4 AM departure....no.....better get a timer!

SMOKNISB

Yeah its nice sometimes working 3rd shift. Just plug it in after supper, and its warm by the time I need to leave.

jrs_dodge_diesel

I don't even bother with a timer. I plug it in and leave it until the next day. The heater does not draw that much power and when I calculated it would cost about 8-10 dollars to run it that way.

Plus, I look at it this way, I think it is better to plug in a warm engine and keep it warm, than to take a cold engine and then heat it up.

fschiola

It depends on where your located and how much your electric charges are. Around here we're paying about $0.085 per Kwh plus taxes, etc.

old 300

I checked my heater last night and it was drawing about 660-680 watts. Here we are paying about $.103/kwh so it cost about $.07/hour plus tax. I usually put mine on a timer for about 2 hours before I head out.

RowJ

Get a good one...not just a house timer for a floor lamp! See wattage above.

RJ

boondocker

If I remember right they are a 1000 watt element. I know it makes a world of difference if I use my heavy guage extension cord or a flimsy one. Now I just need to find a heavy duty timer I like. I am also thinking about a thermostat controlled plug-in. I have found one rated for the load that turns on @ 20* and off @ 30*. It is designed for block heaters and might be the way to go. Maybe I should just build a shop and not have to worry about it.

macjazzy

I plug mine in when I get home at night, unplug it when i leave in the morning. If its real cold during the day I do the same thing at work. Some real cold days it probably stays plugged in 95% of the day. Been doing this the whole time I have owned the truck. No problems so far. At nigt I een plug it in if its in the 40's. It doesn't need it to start but it sure makes a lot less noise when it does start.