Hi all, today was our first good cold day here in ky. Needless to say the truck didn't wanna wake up this morning. I park on the curb of my street and have no way of running an extension cord to it. Has anyone here thought of a good idea to use a different power source for just those really cold nights that works well to run the block heater. I.e. Like a marine battery in the bed wired with a 120 plug if that's even possible? Just curious if anyone has a good set up of some sort to warm the block heater without plugging it into an outlet. I know volts and amps come into play just pulling at straws here. Thanks everyone

 

The block heater draws 750 watts so most any decent 12 volt inverter will handle it hooked to a 12 volt battery. But I have no idea how long the battery would last powering the inverter, maybe if you are adventurous you could do a trial and error test to see how long the battery would last. Or maybe some battery guru will chime in to give you an idea of the battery's lasting power. I think I would probably really try to figure out a way to run a 120 volt extension cord off a timer to do the job instead. JMHO.

 

Thanks for the input. That's what I was thinking. My theory was if it would at least last for those one extremely cold nights here and there then a good marine battery could withstand repetitive depletions and recharges. I figured I would need some kind of inverter. That's probably what I will start with is a good hefty inverter that has no problem with 750 watts and go from there. What would be ideal is to have an auxiliary battery somewhere like in the bed that is also hooked to the alternator so it is constantly charging as I'm driving

 

5W40 100% synthetic engine oil makes all the difference in the world, I have yet to plug in my 2011. I often leave it outside all day while I'm working in the shop, when it comes time to park back inside again I just go out and crank right away so the grids don't even get a chance, It's never failed to start.

 

It could possibly be your batteries, low charge or old,it takes a good load to spin these engines ,mine will start regardless of temp, turn on switch start no heat or grid heater wait, just start, don't normally start like that, but it will.

 

webasto or espar diesel heater is the best option if no power for a block heater is available.

 

Good batteries and synthetic 5w40. The old 97 has started below zero with this combination for years.
But an inverter hooked to a deep cycle battery would work. Buy an isolator for the truck and charge the deep cycle off the truck while running. Now you just need to come up with something to turn it on from the comfort of your kitchen table.

 

I can't run cords out of my apartment. I've been thinking of bolting a cage into my bed that I can slide a Honda inverter generator into.

 

If you are thinking of buying a Honda generator then running for hours on end you might want to think of the Espar suggestion by BILTIT.

 

I bought my2003 Dodge 1 ton new and within two weeks had a Wasbasto "Blue Flame" heater installed.13 years it is still working,don't use a snow brush and have never pulled a extension cord down the drive.It was about $1500 buck in 03,but it is the best money I've ever spent on that truck.Oh yeah my batteries lasted all those 13 years .I just switch them out. Good Luck!

 

Thanks all for the input. I'm gonna try this today since it's gonna be a good cold night. Just for giggles I will try to post results after I test my battery at the shop tomorrow if it in fact works. If anyone is interested.

 

Just doing rough simple math, a 750 watt load would draw over 60 amps at 12 volts. A group 27 RV battery is rated to provide 80 amp hours of power, so this battery would be discharging very quickly, and I would guess that the voltage would drop to a level that the inverter wouldn't like, within a few minutes.

I love the idea but it's a lot of current. One of those magnetic engine heaters uses only 200 watts I think. It won't be as effective, but would be much easier to power. A larger battery bank would be helpful too, if possible.

 

how much does a webasto heater cost?

 

Around a $1000

 

Why can't you run an extension cord out to the road? Is it your house?

I'm just spitballing here- with the limited info I have, if I was having this problem, I'd be running wiring/electricity out to the road, or close to it. Some 12/2, a breaker and some conduit... not terribly expensive. You could have your own dedicated plug out there.

I could be way off, you could be staying with someone, rent, ect...

mad