Any problems leaving your block heater plugged in for days at a time? I don't pay for electric for the truck plug in and have been leaving it plugged in 24/7 for the last week or so. Usually drive the truck but it sometimes sits for a few weeks during the winter.

Can the block heater burn out over a period of time??? Or should I just plug it in over night?

Thanks

 

Well if you aren't paying for the electricity, then that is good news. Figure that is about 500 Watts of energy... Only concern I would have is to make sure all the wiring you use, extension cords, etc is of high gauge and good quality. There have been cases of shorts causing fires, but I do not know of any recently. As for long term wear, In 4 years of plugging my trucks in Alaska, I only had 1 block heater fail, and that was faulty from the install. I have gone through a few of the cords that attach to the block. However, I would use my block heater only at night, and when needed. How cold is it getting, normally, I wouldn't bother to plug in unless it was below 20 degrees...

 

It can burn out over time but I don't think it's that common. My dad had his burn out on his '01 and thats the only one I've ever seen.
I know that fleet vehicles sometimes stay plugged in for extended periods with no ill effects
The heater doesn't heat the fuel or oil so I don't see much of a benefit from leaving it plugged in 24/7. I'd just plug it in overnight.

 

you will be ok, i wish i could do the same..... it's really nice to jump in the truck and start it and not having to wait for extended warmup times.
as far as burning it out, maybe some day...... the unit will cycle off as soon as the design temp is reached ,so it doesn't operate constantly

 

Um yes it does... Heats the water/ oil/ block... That big block of iron the water sits in conducts heat pretty well... Proven with temp gun time and again

 

I didn't say it didn't heat the water, I said it din't heat the fuel or oil. If it was effecient at heating the oil they wouldn't sell seperate oil heaters.

 

Last time I checked the oil pan is connected to the bottom of the engine block and heating the block is in turn going to conduct heat to the engine oil. Not to mention the oil passages in the block and bearings, etc. being warm on start-up allows the oil to flow through them much easier. As stated take a temp gun and shoot your oil pan when stone cold. Then plug in the block heater for a few hours and tell me if you get the same reading on the oil pan...

 

Really no need to talk down, I understand what you're saying,I'm not stupid.
I just cant believe the block heater is going to warm 12 quarts of oil. Yes you may get the same temp on the outside with a gun but I'm hard pressed to believe the oil is the same temp throughout.
Oh and thanks for clarifying where the oil pan was at...I always wondered.

 

Sorry if i sounded like I was talking down - didn't mean to. I can't help my smart*** tendencies. Just pointing out that I think the block heater would indeed heat the oil as it conducts/retains heat quite well. I agree oil pan heaters are designed to supplement what a block heater cannot accomplish as effectively, however i don't think they are necessary if using a block heater with the exception of our friends up north in Canada in areas where they are experiencing EXTREMELY cold temps. The whole point for the OP is there is indeed no harm in leaving the block heater plugged in for extended periods. That is, of course, if someone else is paying the electric bill...

 

For the OP, if you have any concerns about the heater burning out, I would get a timer and have it come on about 10:00pm and shut off about 10:00am. That would keep it warm for the coldest part of every day and save some wear and tear. I would love to do that but I pay the electric here

 

I was going to suggest the timer as well... Just make sure whatever timer you use is a capable of pushing some power through it....

 

In temps below 45 degrees, I plug mine after I get to work or get home, anytime its sitting. I have been doing it since the day I brought the truck home new. It has 185,000 miles on it now and has rarely been started cold.

I look at my truck as I would anything else that cold temps could be detrimental to its long life. Just because it can start and run in very cold temps without any block heater doesnt mean it should be treated that way. Power bill isnt my top list of importance, more expensive repairs and undue wear is. Not to mention down time that is also costly when the truck isnt running. I have other trucks to use but my Dodge is the most economical to run.

We keep refridgerators running year round as well as freezers. Microwaves, lights, TVs and not all water heaters, stoves and room heaters are gas either. Many are electric. Any thought on the power bill keeping cool in the summer or warm in the winter! Not likely, at least in the bigger picture. We all like to be comfortable. Not saying the truck has feelings, but it deserves equal care if you depend on it.

It stays plugged in because I never know what hour or day it will be needed outside of my mormal work hours. Keeping it warm eliminates the extra fuel during warm up, bigger cost saving really. Oil lasts longer and flows faster so you get in and go as well as having a heater allmost instantly. It also keeps my windsheild clear or easy to sweep off in the coldest winters. Even the antifreeze lasts longer so does the thermostat. I have never had any coolant leak, heck it still has the original water pump, CP3, injectors, lift pump, all engine seals and no leaks. The truck hasnt been stock since it was new either. I tax the heck out of it constantly with stack programs and have never had an issue yet. But it stays warm.

When the metals are kept close to working temps, gaskest and such last longer from not being stressed from shrinking or expansion of mating surfaces due to extreem temps.

Batteries and starters last long not having to roll over a cold engine. Even the trans warms faster as the fluid passes thru the water to oil cooler on automatics.

Even the block heater doesnt work as hard keeping an engine warm as it does warming a cold engine. An amp meter can show you that.

Sorry for the long post, just some other thing to think about.

 

Average household used 920 kWh/mo (Newsweek). Currently bill is $101.20
675 watts (block heater) x 24 hours/day x 30.5 days/month = 494100 Total Watt-hours
494100Wh / 1000 Wh = 494.1 kWh
494.1 kWh x 11¢/kWh (average cost in April 2008 excluding power surcharge for busting any power usage limits depending on state) = $54.35/mo or an increase of 53.7% over normal average household consumption.
54.35 x 5 months = $271.75/yr if used 5 months
5 years of use gives you $1358 of use for running block heater.
Average price of Diesel today is $2.66 a gallon
You could purchase 510 gallons of diesel for that amount of money.
If your truck averages 17 MPG, You could drive 8,678 miles on that amount of fuel.
That is alot of money to constantly use you block heater.
If you use a timer and set it for 3 hours prior to your departure you save $237.78 a year, or $1188.90 over 5 years.
Seems to me a timer is the way to go.

 

Unless its below 20 degrees, I don't plug the block heater in. And when I do, its only for a few hours. I agree, a good HD timer is the way to go in cold climates.

 

Lot of fancy math, but its not a lot of money compared to the upkeep and repairs of your truck.

Go ahead and save on your electric bill, the repair shops and maintainence will rip your wallet for the rest of what you saved,,,,,,,,,,,,, and then some!

But your math is flawed. your considering 24/7. that doesnt happen. And I never know 3 minutes ahead of time to go much less three hours. Math and real world are really two different things.

I havent noticed any change in my electric bill before I bought this truck to after I have owned it for years except the rising cost of the kilowatt hour. It may be home on the plug 2 hours one day, 12 the next and sometimes its not home at all for several days. It may be plugged in at work all day long and sometimes for days on end. Its my truck but the boss will kill me to let it get cold.