Seeing how this is the first time I've ever plugged a Cummins up I was just wondering if there was any specific noise or anything such as that you could hear or tell when the block heater was on and working on these trucks. I haven't owned the truck but for a few weeks and just plugged it up a little bit ago because its freezing cold outside and I have to leave in a few hours. That and when it is working is there a certain time limit to leave it plugged in? Like before I go to bed could I plug it up and leave it plugged up all night so it'd be good and warm in the morning or ??? Just wanting to know for sure because I've never fooled with anything like this before. Thanks a lot

 

Some of 'em make a burbling/crackling noise under the hood. If the truck was cold when you plugged it in, you will be able to feel heat in the radiator hoses within an hour or so.

No time limit on plugging in.

A lot of us use a timer, mine is set to kick on about 4 hours before I leave for work at 5 am. I have it kick off about 9 am, then back on around noon, then off again at 3 pm when i usually get home. That way it's warm when I want to use it on a weekend, but I don't have to pay for electricty around the clock or remember to plug it in a few hours before I want to go somewhere. I just plug in when I get out.

 

Ya, plug in a min. 4 hrs. , a timer will save elec. and make the heater last longer , they burn out [ make take a long time ] but if you get 8 hrs. sleep and you plug it in when you get home then it could easly be on for 12 hrs. [ get home at 6 pm after obeer30 and get up at 6 am ]

 

I can tell mine goes on cause the lights in the carriage house dim...

 

It also can be a very shocking experience when not using a GFI circut breaker or a GFI plug!! Even with a timer!! Goodluck,,Rick

 

You can usually feel the heat from the heater on the exhaust manifold area. Also another way to see if you are drawing any amps, when you unplug your cord if you see an arc (breaking a circuit that is under load/drawing amperage) that is a good indication your heater is working. A simple way if you do not have access to a digital multi-meter.

 

Alright that sounds good. It's been plugged up outside for little over a hour and I can feel the top radiator hose and can tell that its definately getting warm.

Seeing how yall started talking about timers. Now exactly what are the timers,never used one honestly. Do they just plug into the house plug-in and kick on and off when you set the timer? Currently the poor truck is sitting in a metal building. I'm working towards making it into a fully functional shop but one end is open and it has no insulation in it so it keeps the rain off the truck and thats about it. I ran a just regular ole drop cord from the other garage(which is fully inclosed and insulated..lucky parents ) Just ran from the plug in to the truck,is that fine and dandy?

Info on the timer would be great because when the weather warms up I'm going to run power out to my shop and get everything good to go hopefully before cold weather hits again

Jimbo

 

Most new block heaters will make absolutly no noise , the way i found out that my heater doesn't work , is i plugged it in , and it was still cold the next morning.

I plug it in when i get home from work , and leave it plugged in all night. Our tractor stays plugged in 24/7 , because we never know when we will need it.

 

The simple timers most hardware stores sell for arond $10 work great as the heater only draw 700 watts.
Just make sure to get one that has three prong grounded outlets

 

I plug the truck in anytime it is sitting in the driveway unless it is warmer then 35*,don't use a timer or anything. Are skidloader is plugged in 24/7 no matter what time of the year or how warm or cold it is,it only has a single batt. so the warm radiator water helps in starting it easier. We have yet to se a diff in the electric bill with them not being on timers.

Jeff