Block heater questions

[groundhawg]

Not the usual one though...

I've already added the cord to my truck since Ford didn't think I needed it.

Anyway, after talking to a couple buddys that both have Cummins powered Dodges, I'm wondering if my block heater is working/working right.

I have not had any start issues with it, but both of them said that with their heaters plugged in the engine was warm and the defroster worked instantly. I left mine plugged in all night while at work and I honestly could not tell any difference.

I let the truck sit for several hours and then went back out to feel the block near the heater and it just barely felt warm to my hand. I actually get a temp reading, but I thought that it would have been warmer.

The questions...Does this sound right? What is the proper Ohm reading for a working heater? ... either direct at the heater or through the cord.

 

[DaveBen]

Somewhere around 7 ohms at the cord if it is good. Don't believe every thing they tell you. If the heater worked instantly, it would take a very large (watt wise that is) heater that would draw a LOT OR POWER from the AC. As long as you are not having any starting problems, don't worry about it.

Dave

 

[bushpilot]

w/ some humor...

its called a BLOCK heater, not a TRUCK heater...share that w/ your friends...

humor off...

facts on...
MOST heating elements are in a water jacket/freez plug hole (im not
completely certain that its any different in our 6.0 trucks).

because its in a water jacket it will end up heating SOME of the coolant
(but not all, because its unlikely that the coolant will ever get warm enough
to open the thermostat)...and the water pump NEVER runs (even by
convection).

naturally there will be SOME coolant flow because of the heat/convection
exchange...it will cause MARGINALLY quicker warm ups but the truck
WONT be up to temp w/out considerable idling or running.

the block heaters primary function is warm the block & oil ("thining"
the oil a bit) making the truck turn over easier.

the block heater isnt connected to the glow plugs (or anything else
for that matter).

 

[Moe-B]

You should be able to hear a difference in how your truck sounds when it starts up if the block heater's working. When I don't use the block heater and it's below 20F my truck really barks and cackles on startup, but with the heater it sounds smoother because the oil's not so thick (I run 15w40 all year). Even with the block heater it still takes a little while before defrost warms up, but not as long as without it.


I read somewhere that the block heater is 1200 watts. If so it should draw 10 amps at 120 volts and measure about 15 ohms.

 

[bushpilot]

perhaps this should be in the wiki... The heater is 1100 watts, depending
on where you live 3-4hrs should be enough to warm the block & oil
(dont try this if you live in alaska or the "great white north")...

perhaps the timer stuff will be helpful to the newer folks...

when i lived in virginia....

I used a 29 dollar digital intermatic brand timer....7 day programing
so you can have a set schedule for monday-friday and then something
different for the weekends.

the intermatic is rated at 1800w (the block heater drawls 1100).

the heater only needs to be turned on about 3hrs BEFORE you intend
to start the truck.

i ran my cord out/under the garage door (truck doesnt fit in the garage),
i left the cord plugged into the timer & when i came home each night i
just plugged the cord in to the truck before i went in the house.

I also "moved" my heater outlet to the rear of the truck...made my own
HEAVY extension cord & attached it to the underside of the truck/frame
and installed a marinco outlet under the rear bumper.

I back my truck into the drive way...and the outlet is basically right
there, against the garage door...no cords running down my driveway
and since the cord pulls STRAIGHT out...its no big deal if i forget to
disconnect the cord when i pull out of the driveway.

MFG P/N & LINK: INTERMATIC DT17C TIMER

MARINCO (mfg partnumber) 150BBI Outlet -->

you can see MORE detailed images of the rear mounted outlet HERE

the 2nd cord you see in the photo is a 12v battery maint. outlet.

 

[Dogman]

What the other wire? But I like it at the back of the truck.

 

[bushpilot]

its a 12v outlet (that i use primarily for battery maint.)

 

[Dogman]

NICE!! I like that. I have to do something by Dec. I'll be heading up to the VA state for a week and dont need the cold start problem.....lol

 

[bushpilot]

i know theres a write up for this some where but...

i made my own "extension" cord...i did NOT cut the
factory plug @ the front of the truck...I applied liberal
amounts of dilectric grease, plugged things together and
taped the HELL outta it (to keep the elements out).

I ran the "home made" cord down the frame, tied it
w/ zip ties and installed the marinco outlet @ the back.

i typically back my truck in where ever possible but i didnt
want to be in a situation where i might ONE DAY need
the connection @ the front (so i left the factory cord in place).

 

[fordboy]

where did you get the outlet?