Block Heater Question

"Agrajag" (Agrajag) 01/09/2015 at 12:04 • Filed to: oppo help

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How long do you keep a block heater plugged in? Overnight? Just a few hours before use? Vehicle in question is a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 with a Cummins engine. Thanks.

Wacko > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:10

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block heaters normally need about 3 hours,

but have no idea for a Cummins, and also depends on how cold it is

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:10

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Depends on how cold it is.. If its close to zero, or below, keep it plugged in.

505Turbeaux > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:12

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usually an hour before use or more depending on temps. I wouldnt leave on all night at all. Unless you like living dangerously

deekster_caddy > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:12

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Is it like pictured or does it have a circulation pump? With pump, leave it on all night. If it's like that (just an oil heater?) I guess it depends how hot it gets, or if it has a thermostat.

How cold is it overnight where you are? Sub zero (F) all the time? Just leave it plugged in. 20s and 30s? A few hours before startup...

wabbalosthiskey > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:16

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You can keep it plugged in "however" long. They need at least a few hours to be effective. When I park outside in the winter and it's <30f or so I plug in at night (powerstroke), and then in the morning it's much easier to start and the temp needle is just off the "C" so not much warmup time. The added benefit is that you'll probably get just enough heat transfer to the heater core that the front windows won't be frozen over either. That might actually be the best part.

swansong, rockin' the wagons > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:17

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I used one of those mechanical outlet timers when I had a block heater. Set it to start around 4am, out the door around 7pm. Three hours was plenty to get it to reach "max" temp.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > deekster_caddy 01/09/2015 at 12:17

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What's pictured isn't an oil heater - typically it's in the water jacket, so it heats the coolant.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 505Turbeaux 01/09/2015 at 12:18

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It depends on wattage, too. A lot of block heaters out there are crazy wattage, others (like Benz OEM ones) slightly less so.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:21

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I had mine plugged in all night, actually. Benz OEM unit, but it actually uses that exact same cord. If it's an aftermarket one, it typically shouldn't be left on all night, but an OEM one is probably fine in most cases. It really depends on wattage and what kind of power cords/circuits you have - how long it'll take to heat the engine vs. how much power you'll waste and how many things you'll get uncomfortably hot.

If you have an hour before using the car, that'll work with anything - doesn't really matter what kind, and you can't go wrong.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Agrajag 01/09/2015 at 12:22

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I have a timer that comes on at 5 and I leave the house typically around 7-730. Helps keep the oil loose and helps it start.

505Turbeaux > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/09/2015 at 12:22

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the one in my old Volvo 745 TD with the VW D24T would almost boil the damn coolant. Made for quick starts though

deekster_caddy > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/09/2015 at 13:15

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okay, good to know. That seems rather large to stick in the block of a smaller truck engine. I thought coolant heaters had circulation pumps too, went inline with the heater hoses. But maybe this is better for a big diesel block.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > deekster_caddy 01/09/2015 at 13:19

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There are coolant heaters that go inline in the radiator hose (typically very high capacity, very hot), this type, and the type you mention does exist for big road tractors, but isn't common in any kind of passenger vehicle. In addition, there are oil heaters, with the most common being a magnetic oil-pan heater.

deekster_caddy > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/09/2015 at 14:00

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Does this type pictured go into an opening in the block, or the radiator? (as a "block heater" I would hope right into the block)

edit - nm, answered my own question browsing through google images... looks like you stick them into a freeze plug.

edit further - now I'm on a tear. Found these things at Amazon - outlet that turns on below 35 degrees, turns off above 45. Awesome!

http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovator…