Block Heater question

[StrokedInMT]

so was thinking today. while i am on the road weeks at a time is it bad idea to leave truck plugged in at home for week at a time? i mean could the element burn out too fast? or are they made to be plugged in for long times?

thanks for any advise

[PolarBear]

I sure wouldn't leave it plugged in for weeks at a time. As long as you have maybe an hour or 2 before you need to fire it up to plug it then you're fine. These new trucks barely even need to be plugged in.

[StrokedInMT]

yeah i know,, but........ -25 for a week at a time, and just making sure wife has a back up incase her car dont start..

[tricktom1]

If that's the case I would leave it plugged in.

[FisherFord]

I have wondered this myself. I have had my 6.4 going on my 3rd winter now. I don't drive the truck in the winter, drive my OBS 7.3 or bronco, but when ever it gets down to 0 or below I plug mine in. Don't know if its good or bad, but I have left it plugged in for a week before several times. I try and start mine once every other week and warm it up to temp, for the battery and what not. Hasn't given me any problems yet... I just replaced my block heater in my 96 Powerstroke, so i don't worry them about it going out that fast...not a straight forward answer, just my experience, don't know if it helps you or not.

[StrokedInMT]

well thanks for the experience and input folks,,,,

[JBB1970]

I would be more worried about the cost of the electricity by keeping it plugged in for that long. It seems like the heater element is about 1100 watts. Kinda like running a hair dryer or toaster constantly.

If your not worried about electricity. I can't see how i could hurt anything.

[Crpssfire]

Originally Posted by StrokedInMT

so was thinking today. while i am on the road weeks at a time is it bad idea to leave truck plugged in at home for week at a time? i mean could the element burn out too fast? or are they made to be plugged in for long times?

thanks for any advise

Sorry to high jack the thread but I see in your sig that you have an underseat pistol mount. I'd like to hear more about that. How is it mounted and any particular hilster that you are using? Thanks.