Block heater question.

5B Steve · December 31, 2009, 07:29:36 AM

I noticed that when I plugged in the block heater this am that it started to hum, never noticed this sound before,

is this normal, or is it going out?

Steve 5B........

buswarrior · December 31, 2009, 07:33:26 AM

They walk to you sometimes.

I prefer the ones that make some noise, then I know something should be happening?

frigid cold and silence makes me nervous in these matters....

happy coaching!
buswarrior

bobofthenorth · December 31, 2009, 07:41:59 AM

Quote from: buswarrior on December 31, 2009, 07:33:26 AM
They walk to you sometimes.

"Talk" maybe but I have never seen one with legs.

However I agree that I much prefer the ones that make some noise. Some of them kind of sing or maybe whistle once they really get going.

Ed Hackenbruch · December 31, 2009, 07:45:13 AM

The first few times i plugged mine in i never heard anything, but i am somewhat hearing impaired, plus when it is cold enough to need the heater i get back inside as fast as possible.

Now however i wait for a minute or two until i do hear it so that i know it is working. Plugged it in one time for a couple of hours and when i was ready to fire up found out that the circuit that i had plugged into was off.

buswarrior · December 31, 2009, 07:54:27 AM

wow, the "T" and the "W" aren't even close to one another....

What is it I was going to say?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Tenor · December 31, 2009, 07:57:07 AM

BW, Are you already celebrating the new year?

Glenn

bryanhes · December 31, 2009, 08:15:05 AM

Mine makes a humming noise as well. When it is not I know its not working. I think I prefer it that way. I plugged mine in at my storage unit a couple weeks ago with plans of taking it out to fill up the tank. When I came back which is a 25 minute drive from home I realized the outlet was not working so I wasted a 50 mile round trip. Now I make sure I hear the humming before I take off for a couple hours.

Bryan

bevans6 · December 31, 2009, 08:37:59 AM

How hot does the cord on your block heater get? Mine is a fairly light gauge cord, but it's built into the heater so you can't change it, and it gets fairly warm. Of course it is a heater...but is this normal? the plug end gets a bit warm, too.

Brian

PP · December 31, 2009, 08:51:37 AM

Hey Brian, The cord does seem a bit light, and it does get a bit warm after several hours, but it always works so I'm assuming that must be normal.

Happy New Year, Will

Dreamscape · December 31, 2009, 08:56:53 AM

If the cord and plug don't get a bit warm, it's not working.

buswarrior · January 01, 2010, 10:32:35 AM

I have noticed that as the years go by, the plugs on fleet vehicles sometimes show the signs of this heat.

Can't change much as far as upgrade, as they have that plug on the end for the heater. Take the usual precautions, good 14 gauge or better extension cord, keep the spades clean and shiny.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

gus · January 01, 2010, 01:37:00 PM

It is a good idea to always plug in the block heater to a cord before plugging in the cord to the power source.

This saves arcing at the block plug which will take its toll over time.

PP · January 02, 2010, 09:54:30 AM

I have an all-weather outlet in the engine compartment just for trickle charging the start bats and block heating. Eliminates ext cords altogether. Good luck, Will

cody · January 02, 2010, 09:57:25 AM

That would really come in handy, if it got cold enough the block heater could walk over and plug itself in.

PP · January 02, 2010, 10:01:53 AM

You really are bad Cody, Will

Block heater question.

cody