I have an '02 F350 with 7.3 and approx. 104k miles. Unfortunately, I don't get to drive the truck daily - maybe 2-3 times per week. I'm always uncertain what nights I should plug it in because I don't know if it's going to be used the following day. Living in Pennsylvania in the winter months it can get pretty chilly at night in the winter. My truck runs / starts so much better and smoother after the block heater has been plugged in once the temps get below freezing. My question is - are there recommendations for how long you should / can leave a truck plugged in with the block heater ?
Plugging in block heater on '02 7.3 - is there a time limit ?
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As far as I know you can leave it plugged in all the time it would only make your power bill get higher.
But if you leave it plugged in all the time it could also shorten the life of the heater.
What I do is if I am going to drive mine I plug it in 1-2 hours prior to starting it.
But if you leave it plugged in all the time it could also shorten the life of the heater.
What I do is if I am going to drive mine I plug it in 1-2 hours prior to starting it.
It cant really hurt anything other than the power bill. I dont know for sure how much power it really pulls. I havnt seen much of a difference in my bill and I plug it in whenever it drops below 40. I volunteer at an ambulance and cant wait for the truck to warm up before I take off for the call.
Which reminds me, our ambulance 97 powerstroke and it stays plugged in all winter long. 24/7. And it has never been worn out or replaced.
Food for thought.
Which reminds me, our ambulance 97 powerstroke and it stays plugged in all winter long. 24/7. And it has never been worn out or replaced.
Food for thought.
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Use a timer. Ford recommends the truck being plugged in for 3hrs.
Any special timmer?
I know they claim the block heater is to be arround 1000 watts if I rember right.
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Thats about 8 amps. I wouldn't skimp on it. I'd pick one up that is rated for 15-20 amps. Should be around $20-$30
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182 Posts
I have the exact same situation that you have. I don't drive my 7.3l everyday, I never know when the next time will be. Here in NM, winters are always below freezing and sometimes sub zero. I made a rule for myself, if its 20 degrees I plug it in over night, even if I don't drive the next day...it doesn't hurt anything except of course your electric bill. The block heater is 1,000 watts.
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182 Posts
its pretty much equivalent to the old school coil bathroom wall heaters. If your running you central heat + Christmas lights + kids and new toys...it will kinda just blend into your bill
and u shouldn't really notice any different.
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I've been plugging mine in and leaving it...I typically only drive it to the gym and back home. Yesterday I didn't plug it in overnight and when I got in it to leave for the gym, it was a real B*tch to start! Temps were in the high teens to low 20's over night...she doesn't like those cold nights that for sure.
I'll be leaving mine plugged in most of the time this winter, it fires right up when it has been!
I'll be leaving mine plugged in most of the time this winter, it fires right up when it has been!
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3,036 Posts
You might want to look into some 5w40 oil, and check your glow plug relay. While mine is angry if I start it at those temps, it will always start right up without hassle. That's after I switched to 5w40....
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Here's a video I had on my phone from about a month ago...
Little background on it, my truck had been sitting for a week, not plugged in. It was cold outside, as you can see that my EGT reading is at 15*. Outside air temp was around 20-25* at the time. I let the glow plugs warm up for maybe 45 seconds.
Little background on it, my truck had been sitting for a week, not plugged in. It was cold outside, as you can see that my EGT reading is at 15*. Outside air temp was around 20-25* at the time. I let the glow plugs warm up for maybe 45 seconds.
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I bought a programmable timer from walmart for around $20. Its a 15 amp and can store 6 programs. Really easy to use. I leave around 7:30 in the morning so I set it to turn on at 4:30am. Even if I dont drive the truck that day I still leave it plugged in. If I drive the truck later, ill turn the timer on again let it heat up for a couple hours if I have time. It definantly makes a difference on cold starts.
That timer I bought is in the household electronics section, see if you can find an outlet to plug it into at the store as the first one I bought had buttons that didnt work. I just plugged in behind a counter.
Good luck
That timer I bought is in the household electronics section, see if you can find an outlet to plug it into at the store as the first one I bought had buttons that didnt work. I just plugged in behind a counter.
Good luck
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1,091 Posts
I ordered this one last year and it has been working great for me.
HB31RCL HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR TIMER W/ 15 AMP RECEPTACLE | eBay
HB31RCL HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR TIMER W/ 15 AMP RECEPTACLE | eBay
As far as cost, my local electric WeEnergies, charges 11.7 cents per kilowatt-hour.
We can say this heater draws around 1000 watts or 1 kilowatt. If I plug it in at 11PM before I go to bed and unplug it at 7AM when I leave for work, thats 8 hours. So it costs me around $1/day.
We can say this heater draws around 1000 watts or 1 kilowatt. If I plug it in at 11PM before I go to bed and unplug it at 7AM when I leave for work, thats 8 hours. So it costs me around $1/day.
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