can the block heater be plugged in

[allformike]

can it be plugged in while it is crankinig or running. i always thought it could but i always unplug it before i start it.

[mr. monte]

won't hurt anything, it's only a heating element in the water jacket

[allformike]

cool, thanks

[allformike]

how long can i leave it plugged in? is over night ok

[DmaxMaverick]

Overnight is fine. Most folks plug them in overnight. It only needs 4 hours or less, depending on the ambient temp (don't count the wind chill). You could use a timer to reduce the electricity consumption. Home Depot, etc, will have a sufficient rated outdoor lighting timer for this (1000+ watts rated would be good). Do not use a standard lamp timer (generally limited to less than 200W). When the heater is plugged in, it's using electricity. So if you limit its use to when it's needed, you'll save on your power bill. The standard heater element is 600 watts, so it can add up.

[allformike]

cool, i thought it could but i wanted to be sure first, and i don't care about the bill, i live in a apartment and have my extension cord running from a plug in the hallway, so my bill doesn't go up.;)

[Robyn]

The block heaters can be left on continuously.
I start plugging in my Big Rig at night after the temp starts dropping to below 50F
This keeps the cold soak water leaks away as well as makes starts easy.
I may have the truck on for several days steady if I dont use it.

Just keeping warm :D

Robyn

[sapper33]

Now because the block heater is basically just a big resistor, would it be possible to plug it into a DC source?

At home I keep it plugged in when it dips down to below about 5*C, but I often don't have any place to plug it in when I'm at work, or when I go somewhere. So I was thinking that if I rigged up 2 marine deep cycle batteries in parallel and an outlet. I figure it would give me less than 2 days, but if I could rig up something to only allow a 500W(vs the 1000W full) draw, it'd be better than leaving it cold, and would last me for a weekend or so.

[DmaxMaverick]

Now because the block heater is basically just a big resistor, would it be possible to plug it into a DC source?

At home I keep it plugged in when it dips down to below about 5*C, but I often don't have any place to plug it in when I'm at work, or when I go somewhere. So I was thinking that if I rigged up 2 marine deep cycle batteries in parallel and an outlet. I figure it would give me less than 2 days, but if I could rig up something to only allow a 500W(vs the 1000W full) draw, it'd be better than leaving it cold, and would last me for a weekend or so.

You'd be better off starting it cold with a healthy starting system. Keep the 2 extra batteries for when it doesn't start.

Otherwise, you could use the batteries with an inverter, but I doubt you'll get 2 days out of the best deep cycles. The heater will draw a minimum of 600W. DC would be a very bad idea. Because it is in direct contact with the coolant, electrolysis would be horrendous.

[Colorado Kid]

With resistance constant you're not going to get much power through it with 12V (or 24V, is you put the batteries in series.)

Assuming the above posts were correct about the wattage of the element, 600 watts and 120V implies 5 amps. and and 120V and 5 amps implies 24 ohms. 12 volts into 24 ohms will give you 0.5 amps and 12 volts * 0.5 amps = 6 wattts. The good new is your batteries will last all week. The bad news is you could get more heat out of a parking light bulb.

With 24V you'll get 1 amp, and 24 watts, but it still isn't going to make the truck much easier to start. String 10 12V batteries in a row, and discounting internal resistance of the batteries you'll get back up to the heat levels you need, and you'd even have enough juice to do the 4 hours . . . oh wait, I forgot about temperature effects on the batteries . . . better make that 12 or 14 batteries. . . are you sure it wouldn't be easier to bring a generator? (or just let the engine run?).

[DieselCrawler]

I have sevral diesels, and leave 'em pluged in any time it's below freezing... makes for nice easy starts, always have warm cab in minutes, 'cause it's almost at operating temp... Sometimes the K-30 has droped down from the cold high idle before I can get out of the driveway...

If you have a set schedule, a timer is nice, and can cut down on the elect bill. I'm never on a set schedule, and never sure which truck I'll take... and I just like to keep 'em warm.

However, the ol' K-30 will fire up down to 5 degrees without the block heater... rattles alot, but it will do it, it's worth good glow plugs. Love that truck... ol' faithful!

Dang Ford junk, I was stuck a few weekends ago, went to a buddies farm/camp for the weekend, didn't feel like dragin' out 200' of extention cords... next morning I was wishing I had, POS wouldn't start, crankin' slow, almost 0 deg out... so, out come the cords, 3 hours later, it started. Glow Plug relays are problomatic on thoes trucks... need to check mine, seems like the G/P's aren't working right... but thats a ford for ya...

Greg

[JohnC]

All hose heaters plugged in 24 hours a day using all that electricity! Surely we've found the true cause of Global Warming!

[DieselCrawler]

LOL... global warming... maybe!

Yup, I know it's not the most efficant use of our resoruses, but it's the price I'm willing to pay for prepaired-ness...

I've thought about using a thermostat/relay of some type, so they arn't on unless it's, say, below 35 degrees...

And not every diesel I own is pluged in... just the 2 I drive interchangably... need to put a block heater in the ol' K5 Blazer, doesn't have one, it's a bear to start below 30 degrees... glow plugs don't work so well, the motor is ragged out, so I dont' worry about a shot of eather to get it going when I absolutly have to... it's a play toy truck, with no windows or heater so if it's that cold, I don't normaly want to be drivin' it!