Block heater question
 

Does anyone know where i can get one of the timers everyone talks about to turn my block heater on only a few hours before i start my truck?
thanks for the help[coffee]

I would think any hardware or home improvement store would carry one. It's just like the timers you buy to turn lamps on in your house when you go away, but made for outdoor use.

The one I have is hardwired into the circuit and lives in a little metal box on my wall. They are a little heavier, and can be used to automatically turn off and on outdoor signs on businesses. You really don't need one that heavy-duty, but it works great.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...atalogId=10053

Something like that I belive

Pav

I think I got mine at Wal-Mart or Lowe's...

PAV1973,that timer is only rated at 8 amps,so thats 120volts x 8 amps=960 watts.I would suspect the wattage of the heater to be greater than that,but I am not exactly sure what it is.But the max. it could be would be is 1800 watts,(120volts x 15amps),since the cord is rated at 15 amps ,unless it has a T slot plug on it which would allow for 20 amps,most likely it is 1500 watts. 120volts x 12.5 amps =1500 watts.A 15 amp timer would be best so you are only running it at 80% then.At HomeDepot they have Intermatic timers in a gray metal box about 5"x8"x3"deep,here is what they look like and they come in many rated sizes http://www.intermatic.com/products/t...ur%20dial.aspx .You will have to attach your own cord and plug though.There are other brands that will work,just watch your current rating or its going to get hot,it could melt or worse catch fire.Most off the shelf light timers will be under rated for this purpose.Running any electrical device at its max. ratting means its going to be hot! Unless it is rated continuous duty at its rated output of course.And I know some guys are going to say their light timers are working fine,but do the math and make sure to read the fine print on its ratings or its going to be an overloaded electrical device,its your call.

I was just tossing a pic of one up there :) ..I don't use the timers just keep mine plugged in all the time

Pav

The block heater is 750 watts, I have a oil pan heater too that is 250, so I'm pulling 1000 watts, my timer is a outside, waterproof, digital 1500 watt timer. Make sure its waterproof as well.

Any heavy duty timer will work, just check the watts it will hold, many outdoor timers hold enough

Timer
 

Intermatic, Inc. HB31R All Weather, Outdoor Timer. Heavy Duty-15 Amp.

Just google the above, is what I used to use, 15 Amp load, get them most any where..... remember 125 watt = approx 1 amp.......1250watt = 12.5 amp-- 2500watt= 20 amp, etc.

750 watts for the block heater so a 1200 watt timer would be good ,a 1000 watt timer is not the best ,that is running them at 80% of capacity,unless the timers are rated continuous duty at the stated rating of course.Volts x Amps = Watts

I would to get one that has three prong inlet/outlet. Something like this 15 amp, http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-TN3...1672144&sr=8-4

We can't even but that up here, it wouldn't meet CSA (Canadian Standards Association)

This one would be good though.

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/s...k=P_PartNumber

I use a timer and prefer the mechanical type over the digital - if we get a power spike or the power goes out for a bit, the mechanical timer will pick up where it was and I still get some time for the heater - the digital one I tried would lose the time when there was a power glitch and not turn on the engine heater at all. A digital timer that could retain the time setting even with the power off would be ideal.

where did you get yours? and how much was it?

where did you get yours? and how much was it?