The problem with these bad boys is the cooling system is so big. I have had mine three winters and have noticed that after starting to work on real cold days I drive about three miles to frwy and about four miles on it. The temp will get up to 190 and the tstat opens and it cools back instantly to 140 or so and then has to do it again. This is ok if your going a few miles but by this time I'm allmost to work. I use my block heater for 3 hrs each night, I have found this to be the most productive setting for my setup. The front covers help by not allowing as much sub zero air thru the radiator.

 

Do the block heaters have a thermostat themselves or do they run continuously when plugged in?

 

Don't know if they are thermostatically controlled or not. I plug mine in when I turn in for the night around 23:00 , when I leave at 0600 the truck starts right up and is pretty much already warmed up. Don't understand the timer thing ....we spend $30k for a truck, $$$ for synthetic oil and other meticulous maintenance items , $$$$ for bombing , $$ for fuel additives yadda yadda , and worry about spending a few cents a night to keep your baby warm !!! : No thanks, I'll keep my investment plugged up 24/7 if need be !!

 

They are not thermostatically controlled.

If memory serves, the block heater is a 700 watt heater, so if you use it 10 hours per night and are paying 10 cents per kwh it is costing you $ 21.29 per month.

I would pay less than a dollar a day to get into a vehicle where the heater works instantly even if there were no other benefits (however, in my part of the world this is not a big issue).

Cheers.

 

I agree with Nevada, but I'd think with the latest power snafu, that $21.29 would quickly turn into $212.90. <br><br>Good thing I live in FL now. hehe. Since I'm going to be in WA for several years ...starting next summer, I'm curious about those winter guards. Where can I get those for my CTD? I've seen those for semis, but never on a pickup. I suppose my BOMBing should start with all the essentials,....that thing that runs the engine on shutdown to let the turbo cool, gauges, winter guard, etc. Then I'll start with comp and injectors and the like.