Anyone use this method?

I have gone through 1 of those $15 electronic timers and 1 anolog timer you would use for normal appliances last winter (for turning on my block heater). Outlet is rated 15 Amps and the timers were too.. I presume that heater is drawing too much current for them to survive? Never tripped the outlets' breaker though.

Anyways, I want a HD timer that I can plug in and have the element turn on a few hours before I have to leave in the morning. Any sugestions or product recommendations for a fix?

Thanks!

 

I bought mine at Home Depot about 5 years ago and it hasn't let me down yet.

Can't remember the manufacturer, but I believe its rated at 15A and weatherproofed for external use.

Getting me to remember to unplug it from the truck is sometimes problemmatic.....

 

I can't help you on this one... I have not had a problem on mine. Same ol 10-15 dollar timer. The only thing that I can think to check is the block heater's connection to the truck, maybe it's grounding out somewhere...???

 

I hear that! When I first started using mine, I hung the cord off my ranchhand so I would see it in the morning!

Thanks, HD or Lowes was my next move.. I'll look for a more industrial grade one that has a ground hole too. I remember I had to use an adapter since the timers were only two prong- Maybe that was the issue-

 

Is it just your one truck heater you are plugging in or is there more? The stock block heater doesn't pull anywhere close to 15 amp. They are rated between 650-750 watts.

 

I would surely hook up the ground... the block heater pulls a good bit of power, go stand by your elect meter while its plugged in and have someone pull the plug you'll see!

 

I just have an in door cheapy from Wally World rated for 15A. I keep it in the garage with a cord going to the truck. Never had any problems. Infact I do the same thing for the wife's minivan.

 

I just made sure it was rated for 15 Amps (it did have a ground prong). The block heaters do pull some wattage (my Fords it is 1000W), I guess someone here chimed in its only 750W for the Cummins. But I made sure to set it to kick on 3 hours prior to my departure in the morning. Went three years like that, only problem is when I lost power I'd have to reset the timer and I did have 1 timer that eventually wasn't keeping good time. I think I got it from Lowes, HD for $20 or so... Also, made sure to run a good gauge extension cord (12 gauge) from the timer to the truck.

 

I bought a gadget from Home Depot that kicks it on when the temperature is below 40.

 

Your heater is 750 watts so it will draw 6.25 amps at 120 volts, if your heater is 650 watts it'll draw about 5.5 amps. Watts / volts = amps

 

I measured the block heater current draw on my 05 a couple of weeks ago - it was drawing about 6.5 amps and a little over 700 watts (AC voltage was showing 121). Any timer rated 15 amps should be plenty - I suppose there could be differences depending on model year, etc. but I doubt it could be more than double.

I have an X-10 Powerhouse system, so I can adjust the time easily from the control unit on the nightstand - I give it an hour at 30 degrees, 2 hours at 20, 3 hours at 10, etc. Engine starts fine.

I also use a winter front, to heat things up to operating temp more quickly.

 

Is it a bad thing to leave it plugged in all night?

Thanks,
John

 

I have this heavy duty outdoor digitally programmable timer that I got from home depot. It even says on the package it is for block heaters.
http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=9235

 

My dad leaves his '01 plugged in all night with no problems. I'm not positive but I think they are controlled by a thermostat, so it can't get too hot. This will be my first winter with my '07 and I'll probably leave mine plugged in all night because I sometimes have to leave at odd hours.

 

I leave mine on the timer during the week (about 3 hours before heading off to work), but on the weekends I just leave it plugged in all day.

I also like to keep the defroster on; the windshield will be easier to clean from convection of the warmer air due to the block heater.

The only bad thing I can think of is that the electric bill might be a little higher, but that extra cost is negligible compared to running the furnace in the winter.