block heater how hot will it get the block

[Lonnie time to go]

Just wondering how a block heater works on 8V71 engine.
I gather its electric and just plug it in.
But how long does it take to heat the motor to start.
what is the highest temp it will get the block.

sorry very new but i have to ask  thanks

[kyle4501]

When I plug mine in, you can hear it sizzle.

It pulls a full 15 amps & the 12ga extension cord gets warm!

I don't know how long it takes to get warm enough to start, but if you leave it plugged in for a couple of weeks, you will see obvious evidence on your power bill!


BTW, mine will get hot enough to open the t-stats & heat the radiator

[JackConrad]

When it gets cold down here in FL (that means in 30s or low 40s), we plug our block heater in a for about 1 hour. Engine starts like it is 80 degrees outside.  Jack

[zimtok]

Here in the western TN area (Memphis) we get nights that are in the upper teens lower 20's during the winter.

At temps between 40-60deg I try to have the block heater on for at least 2hrs, at temps below 40deg 3hrs + are best before trying to start the 6-71 in my bus. I plug it in overnight if I need to start in first thing in the morning. But my block heater does not geat to the point of the thermostats opening up.

.

[tekebird]

block heater time is based on a few things.

Output of the heater

outside air temp

Time the block has been cold soaked

Condition of the engine

and battery condition/size/CCA

[TomC]

If it is blizzardy out, cover over the radiator.  When I was trucking, my generator was a gasoline powered Onan 2 cylinder commercial 6.5.  No matter what the temperature was out, I always had the block heater on for a 1500 watt load on the gen-it lasted 12,000 hours-almost unheard of for a gasoline powered gen.  In cold weather, the block would be just barely warm to the touch-which is still way better than starting a stone cold engine.  Good Luck, TomC

[buswarrior]

A block heater is basically a kettle element installed inside the water jacket of the engine.

It heats the coolant, which heats the block, cylinders, pistons, which means the temperature of the compression when you try to start will be that much higher, as the heat will be transferred to the incoming charge of cold air, making for an easier start.

Bigger the rating on the heater, the quicker it will warm the engine, the higher your electric bill to do it.

Being from the north, my preference is a big heater, and control it's electric consumption with one of those timer devices to come on in the wee hours for that AM start.

Or, at -20, 20 minute blast of a big Webasto and the results are similiar.

happy coaching!
buswarrior