**WARNING** Be Careful With Block Heaters

[bigwes]

So, last night it was cold when I got back from the gym so I decided to plug the truck in for the night. Took the extension cord in my right hand, heater plug in left...as soon as I plugged them up BAM I was getting lit the **** up with 110 electricity! It was on the block heater plug end through my left hand. Soon as it hit me I tried to let go and couldnt. Had to ride it out for what seemed like forever then finally got my hand to open (prolly 5 seconds). The whole left side of my body hurt after that and it took a while to get use in my hand again. As soon as all this happened the block heater cord started to short out and melt. The extension cord never heated up, shocked me, etc. I ran inside and unplugged it. I know its recommened to use a GF plug, but I dont have an option here at my apt. So BE CAREFUL with your cords and make sure a breaker or something will trip with a problem. Id hate to think of what would have happened if id left it plugged it....id probably be looking for a new truck. Cord is coming off the truck as soon as its warm and being sent back. Its a ZERO START cord from O'rielly Auto Parts, Powerstroke Shop carries the same brand. There is nothing visibly wrong with the plug, no cracks etc. so I dont know what made it do it. Would it help to get the ford brand OEM cord?

[SteveKran]

Buy Ground fault circuit interrupter, GFCI, GFCI's

Might want to invest in one of these. We are REQUIRED to use them here at work everytime we plug an extension cord into the wall. Nuclear Power Plants tend to be a little strict at times...

Glad you're ok man!

[Evil Eye]

Holy crap, man. Glad you're alright. I would agree getting a GFI receptacle for your block heater connection.

[mountainlander]

Yeah, but did the truck start easier?


Glad you weren't permanently injured!

[bigwes]

Originally Posted by mountainlander

Yeah, but did the truck start easier?


Glad you weren't permanently injured!

Started easier the last 100 times I had plugged it in before lol. Still have no clue why this time was any different.
Im glad im ok too....kinda worried for a while that it may have damaged "something important" but it checked out ok last night

[camptoboat]

I found this mod to do away with the cord on my local forum Northwest Ford Diesel.com.
Its called the Marinco Block Heater Plug Mod.
TheDieselStop.Com - www.thedieselstop.com
Might give it a thought.
Gary

[Clay Henry]

Originally Posted by bigwes

it may have damaged "something important" but it checked out ok last night

[HorseMover]

Glad to hear all your "equipment" is still in order

[mountainlander]

'Honey, why's my hair standing on end?'

[Triflex]

In the absense of a gfi plug. Start at the truck and plug it in first. then to the house. You were paobably sweaty or wedtground etc. gfi is better