I plug at about 40 degrees. Some times I just leave it pluged in, as truck is sued for a lot of quick short trips, less than 10 miles, at odd hours. I figure it is easer on the engine. Don't have that many colds days here.

 

On my big truck I make sure she is pluged in (500 Hp det)....on my little truck I go for40 deg too......If you know the story about Cummins head bolts and piston to wall clearance........well you asked

 

I plug mine in when it's 40 or below. It's plugged in from the time I get home until the time I leave.
I leave the cord outside coiled on a hook so it's ready to use.

I have forgotten (only once) to plug it in and it was not that easy to start. Huge difference when she's plugged in, fires instantly.

 

leaving it plugged in all the time is pretty much a waste of power - unless you have to leave quick. Block heaters are heating elements and if you leave it plugged in for long periods it will burn out quicker than normal.

 

I got mine set on a timer also set to come on when it's 40 *F or colder. It comes on about 3 hrs prior to leaving. I don't have a problem starting it if I don't but I don't like the noise it makes when it's cold. Maybe I'm a paranoid freak...ok, I AM a paranoid freak ...that's the way I do it.

Plugging it in makes it quieter, but I thought it would make the heater warm up quicker, which it doesn't seem to do. Anyone else have similar experiences? A couple of mornings when it was 10*F, the block heater didn't seem to do anything!! It was noisey and cranked hard, but we don't get too many days like that it PA so I'm not too worried about it.

 

I plug mine in when it gets below 40F. I like to have heat almost instantly in the morning. Its on a timer so it kicks on a few hours before I do.

 

I keep mine plugged in when the temps drop below 40 F. I used to use a timer and have her turn on about 4 to 5 hours before but now I plug it it for at least eight hours. For some reason it seems to take longer to warm up now adays but I don't have the nasty death rattle it usually does in the morning. I have started this girl up in 0 temps on one crank wihout diificulty. I figured plugging it in longer would help it since most of the big rig drivers i know plug their trucks in anything below 40. As far as using too much juice, I don't notice a big change in energy consumption on the meter, or the drop in fuel trying to start the stinky thing. The cloud is not that bad as some of you described, guess I'm lucky so far.

 

I'm part of the fire crew here in Idaho. I might have to leave at anytime of the day or night... So the truck stays plugged in.... Less time to get heat to a frozen windshield and driver...

 

I'm like some of the others here and don't drive on a schedule. Instead of a timer I have a line voltage thermostat set at 40°.
If leaving the heater on decreases their life it's sure taking it's sweet time for mine since it's been on every winter since '95 when the temp is below 40°, which in Montana is at least three months out of the year.

 

They must be better than the average block heater cause Ive had a couple of block heaters (in cars) die on me over the years.

 

I plug in below 40 or so, much easier on the engine and lubes much better. I also have a small ceramic brick heater that comes on with it, cab is nice and tosty when plugged in. I am in the process of mounting a generator which will heat and cool with the engine off. I am setting up a relay that will switch the wiring to the mains when there is energy on the mains side of the plug.

I drove big trucks for a long time, it is so much easier on the engine not to get that cold, if possible keep it plugged in with really low temperatures. Also most truck manufactuers do not recommend warming up the engine, you let it run for a few minutes and drive off easy with an egg under the pedal and no high rpms. It will warm up sooner and no sludge deposits.

 

So *THAT'S* what that plug on the front was for!!

 

Woah woah woah, what's this you speak of?

And living here in CO- I'll plug it in if i have to be at work early (4-5AM) and if it's below 30 degrees, or if the low is scheduled to be below 0.

 

tenmile,

See TSB 18-019-01 at http://dodgeram.info/tsb/group_18.htm

Also see thread [url]www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54705[url]

A little lengthy.......https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=54705

 

I agree with infadel. My fiance's uncle drives over the road truck and he plugs in when it gets below about 35. So I beleive I am going to do the same. Hey theres last forever, so why cant mine!