We've had a few frosts (temps in the low 30's at night) here so far this year, but nothing what I would call cold yet. However, while working yesterday, the temperature just kept dropping and by the time I was driving home the truck said 25 degrees. When I got home, I popped the hood to undo the cord, pulled it out and plugged her in. Just got up a little bit ago and the temperature outside is 18 degrees!!!! She'll start up like a 90 degree day now!!

 

Yup, had the old girl plugged in last night too......I experienced the same thing you did......the temp was fine at about 4:30 pm when I walked into the shop after work yesterday but when I walked back outside at about 7 pm the temp had dropped almost 15* and the wind had picked up and the odd snow flake was blowing around!!! Time to plug her in!! I also stuck the cold fronts on too!

 

Add me to this one also.

Truck's been sitting hooked up all week. Plugged her in yesterday afternoon and popped right off this am. It was -4 out.

Wait to start light was off in a blink. Truck wasn't even crabby. Gotta love block heaters.

 

I may be way off on this, but about this time last year I thought the I saw someone talking about how they used a battery jumper pack with an inverter to power the block heater when not able to plug the truck in. Am I going crazy or does anyone else remember this, and would it work?????? When I am at work there is no real good place to plug in and it would be a nice alternative if possible.

ADAM

 

You would need batteries the size of a battle ship, not practical. If its a real problem a small Honda type generator in the pickup bed is the best (and cheapest) bet.

 

My question is for this fellas

it dont get too cold down here in Laredo Texas, Today though it was cold, 41 degrees in the morning. I have an old 12V usually this thing fires up quick in a turn or so with a lil throttle. Today it fired up after two turns. Is the weather cold enough that i have to plug this truck in?

Just how cold is too cold that i have to plug it in? For my IDI it was anything under 50 degrees literally, and even with block heaters, it was still hard to start....

I am certain that i have to check my batteries, or get new ones, Re check my starter, alternator, and clean out my battery terminals.

It dont get too cold down here, at coldest maybe once a year in the 20's a few days in the 30's and most winter days are in 40's-50's..

thanks for the help guys!

Rick

 

It was about 30 this morning and i had her plugged in...The heater seems to work much faster!

 

Rick - I think I read somewhere that the block heater was not required until like 10 below zero or something. Cycle your grid heater twice and try it. 41 degrees is nothing, and no block heater needed. It was around freezing this morning for me, I let the grid heater cycle one, and it fired up same as always. Of course I just replaced both batteries about 6 weeks ago.

Worst time I ever had was when I lived/worked in MI. Went in to work arou 25F. Temp dropped all day, and no place to plug in. Went out after work, the truck's temp gage said -5F. I didn't think to let the grid heater cycle twice, just one time.

The starter turned slower than normal, but it fired right up. However, it ran on only 5 cylinders while sitting in the parking lot. When I got out of the parking lot, it had warmed up enough to fire on the 6th cylinder and everything was fine after that.

- JyRO

 

I read somewhere...and the northern "pros" here seem to agree that below 40*F is when plugging in starts having a positive effect on the engine.

I plugged in last night (29 degree low)) and love the instant heat. FWIW, I use a timer (must be heavy duty) and run it for 3 hrs before startup! It's more than enough time anywhere above Zero degrees.

Also in the FWIW category....After 3 hrs of block heating....oil temp is 130* (29* low-no wind).

RJ

 

I plugged mine in the last few nights too.. Keeps the ice off the hood nicely

If you can't plug it in, you can decrease cranking time a bit by just giving it a small amount of throttle.

 

Plugged in last night and slipped my cardboard between the radiator and the Intercooler.
Toasty tootsies on the way to work.

 

Too bad I can't say the same thing LOL.

My vacumn lines must have frozen up.. I have no cruise and only the DEFROST works

 

Holy crap it must be winter down there already winter doesn't start here for another couple of weeks, they like to be plugged in any time it is not 50F but they will start at -25 without. Cardboard Shovelhead it's not an air cooled Harley it will warm up when it's cooool out. I guess one should wash the Cat tarp and roll it up an tuck it into the bumper. PK

 

South Texas isn't exactly known for it's long, brutal winters , but plugging it in sure does quicken the arrival of defroster hot air for those times when you really do need it...
Previously, I had purchased a Cummins-brand cardboard winter-front...(only available with an attached timinggear cover gasket ) and I used that last year and didn't notice an appreciable warmup time reduction... Helped a little on the temperature cycling, but "The PLUG" works every time.
K.

 

I guess I should clarify. When I said -10F above, I meant required. Not sure if -10F is the exact temperature or not. But I do agree that 40 or less would be helpful to use it.

- JyRO