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Reminder for your block heater

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Old 12-01-2004, 06:19 PM
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Lightbulb Reminder for your block heater

FYI block heater cords and ext. cords are not cheap. Between me and MY WIFE we manage to fubar 3 or 4 a year. Oops I forgot it was plugged in! I have found that if I fold the drivers side mirror in we (she) cant back out the driveway and has no choice but to remember. Saves a lot on the cords!
Old 12-01-2004, 06:24 PM
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I wrap the cord around the mirror when plugged in. The wife even notices that.
Old 12-01-2004, 07:37 PM
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How do you destroy all those cords and not damage the front grill?
Old 12-01-2004, 08:58 PM
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You let your wives drive your trucks???
Old 12-01-2004, 09:01 PM
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Yeah, how in the world do they get destroyed? Where does the damage occur?

I've managed to back down the driveway a number of times each winter while plugged in, and mine simply get unplugged. Its none the worse for wear and tear.

I've got my plug secured pretty good (zip tie) between the bumper and grill (the plug sticks out about a half an inch - but gives plenty of room while plugging it in).

I don't think I'll be wrapping my mirrors with a cord though.
Old 12-01-2004, 09:03 PM
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I drape the cord around the drivers mirror also. I have also learned NOT to let the wife even sit in the drivers seat let alone drive my truck
Old 12-01-2004, 10:06 PM
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My girlfriend is afraid to drive my truck. That said, her car is about 1/4 the size so it'll be a while before she drives this thing.

Good advice to watch out on the block heater. I need to start plugging my truck in soon.
Old 12-01-2004, 10:26 PM
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Somebody has to warm it up
Old 12-02-2004, 12:00 AM
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If unplugging it before you drive away is such a problem, install an auto-eject plug so that when the ign is turned on it ejects the 110v line. I think Cole-Hersee makes one. If you are interested E-mail me and I will look up a part no and get a price.
Old 12-02-2004, 06:32 AM
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What about the crappy cap at the end of the block heater cord? Mine doesn't stay on and something tells me no one else's does either. Anybody come up with anything to cover the prongs to protect from the elements when not plugged in?
Old 12-02-2004, 08:42 AM
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[i]Anybody come up with anything to cover the prongs to protect from the elements when not plugged in? [/B]
Dielectric grease.
Old 12-02-2004, 09:21 AM
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It's definitely time to start plugging in my truck now. Went out this morning to start her up and there was frost over the entire truck, plus it's below freezing. Yep, it's time to put in the anti-gelling additive and start plugging her in.

To me there's nothing quite so comforting as the sound of a diesel engine rumbling away on a cold morning. I'd imagine a bunch of others on this forum know exaclty what I mean.
Old 12-02-2004, 09:33 AM
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I have NEVER forgotten to unplug mine But I have come home a few times and found the cord stretched down the drive way

Seems like it takes me a few trips before I remember I have to unplug the dang thing
Old 12-02-2004, 09:40 AM
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Thanks for the tip.

As you can see from my moniker I probably wouldn't have thought about that one until I made the mistake myself.

I may think of a way to drape the cord over the drivers side door handle. That way I'll never miss it.

As for the wife driving the rig, no problem here.

She's a great driver and loves the truck and after all, she didn't give me any grief when I said I wanted to buy it.

Also, when she goes to work at 4:30 AM and we've forgotten to make sure the truck's not blocking her car in the driveway, I'd rather stay in bed and have her move it.

I just have to keep telling her to BE CAREFUL!

If she hits anything with the truck, it's not likely to come out well for the other driver.
Old 12-02-2004, 09:47 AM
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Originally posted by tdupuis


To me there's nothing quite so comforting as the sound of a diesel engine rumbling away on a cold morning. I'd imagine a bunch of others on this forum know exaclty what I mean.


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