Block Heater

[topdwg]

Well I've never used my block heater and it's in the 20's at night so I figured why not give it a try. I found the cord that comes off the block and it goes up to the front of the bumper. I got this, but my question is from there do I just plug in a regular extension cord?

[Clay Henry]

Originally Posted by topdwg

Well I've never used my block heater and it's in the 20's at night so I figured why not give it a try. I found the cord that comes off the block and it goes up to the front of the bumper. I got this, but my question is from there do I just plug in a regular extension cord?

Yes, go to Lowes and get you an outdoor 20 amp rated timer to plug the cord into and set it to come on a few hours before you go to work and this will save you on the electric bill instead of leaving it on all night. 3-4 hours in the morning before you leave will warm it up good.

[topdwg]

Cool, thanks for the quick reply...

[cstem@comcast.net]

Like he said, if you get a timer make sure its rated for 20 amps. I made my own timer from a industrial rated dial timer. I pluged mine in last night and set it to be on for 4 Hrs., when I started my truck the coolant temp was 91* with a outside temp of 20*.

[Dave]

Also make sure the cord is capable of sustaining 20amps.

Minimum of 14ga on a 25 ft 12 gauge on a 50 foot or longer

[Clay Henry]

Originally Posted by Dave

Also make sure the cord is capable of sustaining 20amps.

Minimum of 14ga on a 25 ft 12 gauge on a 50 foot or longer

Yeah, that too. It doesn't pull 20 amps but it pulls close to 15 and will melt a timer not rater for 15 amp. But my cord is 14 ga and 100 feet long and I've had no problem with that.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Clay Henry

Yeah, that too. It doesn't pull 20 amps but it pulls close to 15 and will melt a timer not rater for 15 amp. But my cord is 14 ga and 100 feet long and I've had no problem with that.

14ga cord at 100 ft will either melt to **** normally or trip a GFCI.

That same scenario just cost a guy I know a 2008 Dmax and a garage

[Clay Henry]

Originally Posted by Dave

14ga cord at 100 ft will either melt to **** normally or trip a GFCI.

That same scenario just cost a guy I know a 2008 Dmax and a garage

Well heck, maybe its 12 ga...i have used it for this a long time and it doesnt get hot or anything. I don't have GFI plugs in the shop. It doesn't look big enough to be 12 though?

[Dave]

What color is it?

[mustangman02232]

12 gu 100ft cord for 3 hours when i use the block heater,