block heater

eddiepotts · February 02, 2011, 02:14:22 PM

How long is it ok to leave my block heater on?

Lin · February 02, 2011, 02:22:24 PM

Just guessing, if it were possible to leave a block heater on so long that you actually are overheating, it would probably have to be on a day that is warm enough not to need a block heater at all. I find that my 8v71 starts instantly in the mid 20's if the heater was on around an hour.

redbus · February 02, 2011, 02:24:34 PM

I left them on all night on School Buses.

justin25taylor · February 02, 2011, 02:30:09 PM

I've left them on weeks at a time. No problems as of yet.

luvrbus · February 02, 2011, 02:36:10 PM

All depends on the wattage and if they are the thermo type those things run from a 100 watt up to 2500 watts

good luck

eddiepotts · February 02, 2011, 02:37:57 PM

all I know is it plugs in. I plugged it in last night and when I went out there a few minutes ago It sounded like it was sizzling.

lostagain · February 02, 2011, 04:09:57 PM

Sizzling is normal. That's how you know it is working. Leave it on as long as you want. But your elect. bill will show it. Using a timer is a good thing.

JC

gus · February 02, 2011, 04:16:06 PM

Depends on the size of the engine and the outside temp.

I find that a couple of hours on my 8V71 is good in anything above zero. It will actually start pretty easy without heat but I'm sure it is not good for the engine.

My '94 Dodge 3500 dually Cummins sizzles within a minute or two after plugging in. I assume that is just the coolant immediately around the heating coil, it has never been a problem.

buswarrior · February 03, 2011, 08:01:11 AM

emergency stand-by equipment is left plugged in for weeks at a time, all winter long.

As long as the sizzle is coming from inside the engine, and not the plug....

happy coaching!
buswarrior

bevans6 · February 03, 2011, 09:19:13 AM

The sizzle is just micro-boiling of the coolant directly in contact with the element. It promotes circulation, actually. A typical block heater will use 1200 watts, which is 28.8KW per day, or 864 Kw per month, which is $70 per month not counting delivery charge, surcharge, invoicing charge, charge charge, and the charge for the bill, and the charge to cash the cheque.

I got a new electricity bill yesterday, and only one of the line items, and not the biggest one, was for electricity. Pissed me right off.

Brian

luvrbus · February 03, 2011, 09:24:12 AM

On most factory DD block heaters they have thermal cube built into the cord the ones I have come on at around 32 degrees and off at about 50 degrees same with the factory oil pan heaters

good luck