Block Warmers

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I have been keeping my Ford diesel plugged in from about 4 pm til 7 am. Got my electric bill and was surprised that it went up by $60. Is this normal?<br /><br />So how long befor I go to start my truck should I plug in the block warmer. Going to put a timer on it. Thanks

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Block Warmers

SS that don't sound right to me When I use to drive big trucks seems like it never ran the bill up over 10 to 15 bucks. but that was a long time ago to<br /> I use to plug mine up about four hrs before leaving . Now remember those things are just like a heating element in a hot water heater so it will work the hardest when its first starts heating so might cost more to just do it a short time<br /> Might be able to incorporate a thermo decitor in the motor so when it reaches certain temp will shut off accordingly

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Block Warmers

What's the wattage of your block heater?? A little math, hours run, and the rate per kilowatt hr's from your bill should get you close to seeing the cost.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Block Warmers

Mayfloat-<br />As someone who actually owns a Ford diesel (Y2K F250 XLT 7.3 PSD CrewCab Longbed - prior to this I had a 6.9 I put 400,000 miles on)) and has put a meter on the wire I can tell you this:<br /><br />The heater draws about 9-10 Amps. That's a lot.<br />You don't need to keep it plugged in all night. <br /><br />Go to (UGH) Home Depot and buy a heavy duty plug in timer (ask them where they are, they have no set location). They are less than $15.00<br /><br />Set your timer to come on 3-4 hours before you leave every morning. It will be as warm as it's gonna get in that period, thus avoiding a drain on your wallet.<br /><br />I have started w/o plugging in down to -15 without any trouble at all.<br /><br />If you are having starting problems in warmer temps than that, email me and I will help!<br />Joe<br />bomar76@hotmail.com

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: Block Warmers

If all the glow plugs work and the glow plug relay is ok. The preheat will start the engine. If you are plugging it in for heat in the cab when you start it. Thats different. The block heater is a forty watt heater. It will add 40 to 60 bucks to the electric bill.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Block Warmers

I have a timer on mine too. I plug in when the <br />temperature drops below 5 deg that would be<br />around -15 cel here. My diesel only needs about<br />2 hrs to warm it up. At -10 deg...-25 cel I <br />need to be plugged in for 4 hrs to keep it warm.<br />You may be getting billed extra because you are<br />using more power in the cold than you think.<br />Power here always seems to cost more when its <br />cold.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Block Warmers

This might shed some light on the issue:<br /> Info: <br /><br />40watt block heater??? Hmmm, sounds a bit small to me.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Block Warmers

Brian, that doesn't make sense. I have 2 40 watt yard lights on aprox 12 hours a day. But my electric bill is nowhere near $100. And I also have 2 refrigerators, 2 freezers, 2 computers, a tv, 2 furnaces, and keep 24 40 watt florescents burning for 12 hours a day. Oh yeah, I have an electric clothes dryer too. Total bill is $70 a month.<br /><br />I only plug the block heater in about 10 nights per winter, so I don't notice a difference.<br /><br />But I do notice it when the 10,000 btu window air conditioner is plugged in. $2 a day.<br /><br />Excellent link Xcusme!!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Block Warmers

This truck is a 94. Even when it is 60F, truck will not start without the heater being plugged in, but during the warmer weather, the electric bill is only about 10 bucks more. Since this cold snap where the temps havn't rose above freezing, the ole meter is going CHA CHING!<br /><br />I going to put a commercial defrost timer on the line. About 3 in the morning the timer will kick on the block heater, then at 6:30 it will kick on a small cab heater. That way the motor is warm, cab will be warm and no frost or snow on the windows. <br /><br />Thanks to burning wood all the time this winter so far, I have only used about 40 gallons of fuel oil. I would have gone through about 300 gallons. At least the savings there will compensate for the higher electric bill.<br /><br />Thanks for posting shipmates......

 

[bomar76]

Re: Block Warmers

It is NOT a 40 watt heater. They are all around 1000 Watts. Some will draw a little more, some less.<br />There is no thermostat on the block heater. It will heat whenever power is applied regardless of ambient air temperature or coolant temperature.<br />Put a clamp on ammmeter on the cord and check current draw. It will be between 8 and 12 Amps.<br />The plug in timer from Home Depot would be a lot cheaper and easier than rigging in a defrost timer (unless the parts are free and your time has no value)<br /><br />If you are having starting trouble in warmer weatner, here are some possible causes:<br />1. Fuse 22 under hood is blown<br />2. Glow Plug relay is bad GPR-109 ($23.00 @ Napa)<br />3. 1 or more bad glow plugs. Just 1 bad one will affect all the others. You must replace them as a set to really fix the problem to keep the same resistances. If you have a multimeter, you can set it on ohms and check the glowplugs before you remove the valve cover,ask me if you want to do this and I will send instructions.(Part # ZD11 Motorcraft {Beru} plugs at Autozone $8.19)<br /><br />There could be other problems but these are the most likeky and easiest to fix.<br /><br />The cost of either of these repairs is way less than needlessly giving Ohio Edison (or whomever) $$ for electricity wasted.

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: Block Warmers

You are the man Rosco. The point was that if the preheat works you dont need to plug them it. Below 53 degrees the IDI or DI will not start without preheat. At 53 degrees the glow plug circuit will cycle for 120 seconds. Great job like to have you on the team. I will pull the factory manual and look at the watts for you and check back in. I do not use after market glow plug relays because the dont last or aftermarket glow plugs. I seen the cheap glow plus tips come off in the cylinders. PS. What did you add to this post? You were helping. Thanks for the help.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Block Warmers

Thanks, info is appreaciated. I'm going to replace the glow plugs when I install my turbo. Going to have to wait for this cold weather breaks. Probably in March.<br /><br />I have heard that the duel element glow plugs cost more but will last longer and produce better start ups. Have you heard the same?<br /><br />Defrost timer is a stock item on my truck, so that is not a problem.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Block Warmers

Go with the stock F@rd glow plugs. They produce all the preheat you will ever need in a properly functioning system. International spent a lot of $$$$ on research on those engines. The F@rd glowplugs are actually made by Beru, and as I said you can buy them at (UGH) Autozone. They will come in a bag that says Motorcraft, sometimes it will also say Beru. It's a lot cheaper than the F@rd stealership.<br />Are you absolutly certain that your relay is functioning? I am sure you have a meter....<br />I can send instructions on how to test it and the glow plugs if you so desire.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Block Warmers

Bomar, I have a book that goes through detail on checking the circuit. I just haven't had the time to the trouble shooting. I have heard that the glowplugs are diff. between a turbo and non turbo. That is why I was going to wait until the turbo is installed. Thanks for the help. I will will use the Motocraft brand....

 

[bomar76]

Re: Block Warmers

Mayfloat-<br />When you get ready to do the deed give me a shout if you wish and I would be happy to buzz on up there and give you a hand (not that I think you need it!)

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Block Warmers

Thanks Bomar, most of my friends don't know squat about diesels except for my friend Lonnie. My house is not far from I71. About 2 miles away and easy to find. When the time comes, I will give you a shout. Thanks