block heater? how long does it take?

[RamAirfreak98ss]

Ive plugged mine in when it was only 25deg out one morning at 7am. I left and unhooked the plug at 10am, truck still started bone cold. whats going on? could the plug actually NOT be plugged into the engine block heater itself or does it take ALL night to warm it up? how many watts does the thing use? I just dont want to end up with a $100+ electric bill each month by adding the truck hooked up :p I dont use it every day too.

[Clay Henry]

My truck heater is on a timer to come on 3 hours before i leave and the water temp is up to about 100* when i start it up. I have the Quadzilla commander that tells me exact water temp. You won't notice any difference to your electric bill unless you plug it in 24/7...3 hours is plenty so maybe your heater plug is not hooked up or the element is bad. Try leaving it plugged in over night, then when you start it, you should see the factory temp guage rise just a little above the cold line when you turn the key on indicating about 100- 120 degree water temps.

[RamAirfreak98ss]

Originally Posted by CHenry

Try leaving it plugged in over night, then when you start it, you should see the factory temp guage rise just a little above the cold line when you turn the key on indicating about 100- 120 degree water temps.

Thanks, well yeah, ive only had it on a timer. Last night i left it on all night into the morning, started her up and at least the glow plug warming light went off fast and it started up, didnt "sound" cold and i think the needle moved to the "C" mark near cold.

So now its obvious it does work somewhat, how would i know if it isnt warming fast enough? I mean the other morning after being on for 3hrs, it shouldnt have been "SO" cold still when it was almost 30deg out right?