Question Winter setup??? New to Diesels

[pete37922]

LoL...they use 2 start the work truck 7.3L wit the cord plugged in and keep it runnin a while like that...LoL !!!

 

[Ramrod250]

Thanks for the Info guys, I did find the heater allready installed just above the starter but without the cord. Going to get one this week. If any one thinks of anything else let me know. I will keep checking back. Thanks again

 

[Crumm]

DO NOT start the truck with the heater plugged in, you WILL burn it out.

I have heard that for years but have never seen one fail. Have you ever seen one fail due to starting while plugged in or have you just heard about it? I start my truck at work with a remote start and don't get it unplugged for up to ten minutes later and the block heater still works fine. Might burn out next week but so far so good.

Ramrod250 if you can plug in at work for free I would just for the quicker warm up. At home if you are buying the electricity I would not plug in until the temp gets into the 20's especially since you switched to synthetic oil.

 

[RSG]

cost of plugging in your truck?

heater is 1200 Watts, or 1.2 kW, so to calculate this:

Cost = 1.2 kW x #hrs plugged in x cents/kWhr

just plug in your time and cost:
example: 12 hours plugged in and 8 cents/kWhr: cost = 1.2x12x$0.08 = $1.15
example: 4 hours and 12 cents/kWhr: cost = 1.2x4x$0.12 = $0.58

I plug mine in when I get home and try to remember to unplug it before I drive to work

 

[02stroker]

I have heard that for years but have never seen one fail. Have you ever seen one fail due to starting while plugged in or have you just heard about it? I start my truck at work with a remote start and don't get it unplugged for up to ten minutes later and the block heater still works fine. Might burn out next week but so far so good.

Ramrod250 if you can plug in at work for free I would just for the quicker warm up. At home if you are buying the electricity I would not plug in until the temp gets into the 20's especially since you switched to synthetic oil.

Block heater elements will burn out if for some unknown reason the element does not have coolant around it. The element warms the block by dissappating the heat away from the heater element. The only way I see them burning out is if the truck is drained of coolant. I always unplug mine before I start it, mostly because the truck is parked facing the house.

 

[JLDickmon]

I have heard that for years but have never seen one fail. Have you ever seen one fail due to starting while plugged in or have you just heard about it? I start my truck at work with a remote start and don't get it unplugged for up to ten minutes later and the block heater still works fine. Might burn out next week but so far so good.

Ramrod250 if you can plug in at work for free I would just for the quicker warm up. At home if you are buying the electricity I would not plug in until the temp gets into the 20's especially since you switched to synthetic oil.

that's been a longstanding caution on all diesel engines.
as far as I'm concerned, better safe that sorry (although I do keep a spare element)
If you're using a remote start and never had any problems, fine. My luck doesn't seem to run that way.