keeping trucks warm overnight using block heater

[happy]

I have an 03 dodge 2500, and a 04 F350. Both have gas engines(5.7, and 5.4) and both have a home outside untill some day when the new shop comes along. I want to keep the engines warm, because I think it is alot easier(less wear and tear ) to start a warm engine versus a cold one. I know there are a lot of heaters out there: block, oil pan, coolant heaters. If I want starts in the morning that will not lessen the life of the engine what should I install?

[speedy]

My vote is for an oilpan heater. Heat rises, so the internals of the engine are warmed. And because the oil is warm, and flows better, so it gets to lubricating sooner than cold, stiff oil. You can use a much lower wattage heater on the pan, 250 to 500 watts, compared to 750 or 1000 for your typical block heater. But if you get into a real deep freeze, you'll want to have a block heater to use in conjunction with the pan heater. I have installed a heater pad on my transmission pans as well. Timers are a must for these power-hungry devices. I've also used 'battery blankets' to enable the batteries to have their full compliment of cranking amps to turn over a chilled engine. They are much less power-thirsty, the ones I've used are 80 watts.

[cat320]

we used to use that oil dipstick heater in our old case dozer i guess it was ok thinner oil gets there better than thick but a warm block would make everything start easier i would think?

[Prosno]

Never had the oportunity to use a pan heater but my 7.3s are always plugged in at home if I take one home and I will say its nice to have instant heat plus the engine doesnt sound like its coming apart at startup, I like the idea of heated battery wraps wher do ya get them?
I say you can never be to prepared, we are in essence like the fire dept. and response is everything.

[John DiMartino]

Just run a full synthetic oil,and dont worry about plugging them in,they are gassers,they will warm up fast,even idling.You will spend more $ on electricity,block heaters and ext cords than you will save in eng life.Both engines will outlive the trucks in salt regions anyway if you maintain them right.

[Pickering Snow]

Just run a full synthetic oil,and dont worry about plugging them in,they are gassers,they will warm up fast,even idling.You will spend more $ on electricity,block heaters and ext cords than you will save in eng life.Both engines will outlive the trucks in salt regions anyway if you maintain them right.

I agree with John and even my Diesels most dont see the electric pole. My Dt466 engines get plugged in my cummins engines start fast even in cold weather so the added cost of electric bill isnt worth the diff.

If you do run a heater more so a coolant block heater at least run them on a timer your gonna have a surprise when your first utiliy bill shows up if there plugged in all night.:wink

[JD Dave]

I agree with John and even my Diesels most dont see the electric pole. My Dt466 engines get plugged in my cummins engines start fast even in cold weather so the added cost of electric bill isnt worth the diff.

If you do run a heater more so a coolant block heater at least run them on a timer your gonna have a surprise when your first utiliy bill shows up if there plugged in all night.:wink

To me it's not a matter of the engine starting when it's cold because most vehicles will start regardless. I was brought up to always plug everything in, cheap insurance my dad always said. He also said if it saves one engine, it pays for the electric bill for the block heaters for life. Our tractors stay plugged in basically for the whole winter on site and anything at home left outside is plugged in. If your worried about hydro costs get a timer and have them come on 2 hours before you need the truck. On gas trucks it's not as critical as a deisel but it's still nice to be able to leave immediatly after start up if need be. The cost of electricity to me is a small price to pay when you think how much your equipment costs. Most damage to an engine is done at startup and why not make your engine think it's summertime all year long. JMO

[speedy]

Here's a link to JCW for a Battery Warmer: http://www.jcwhitney.com/BLANKET-STYLE-BATTERY-WARMER/GP_2006128_N_111+10201+600000917_10101.jcw

[Pickering Snow]

To me it's not a matter of the engine starting when it's cold because most vehicles will start regardless. I was brought up to always plug everything in, cheap insurance my dad always said. He also said if it saves one engine, it pays for the electric bill for the block heaters for life. Our tractors stay plugged in basically for the whole winter on site and anything at home left outside is plugged in. If your worried about hydro costs get a timer and have them come on 2 hours before you need the truck. On gas trucks it's not as critical as a deisel but it's still nice to be able to leave immediatly after start up if need be. The cost of electricity to me is a small price to pay when you think how much your equipment costs. Most damage to an engine is done at startup and why not make your engine think it's summertime all year long. JMO

I understand what your saying Dave and i know you have a large fleet as well but iam not keeping 10 trucks plugged in , Like Johnny D we run Syth oil in ours and iam not to worryed about scoring a Diesel have had engine oil samples done monthly since having the Diesels and only bad sample that has came back was the 6.0 PowerChoker but it wasnt from not being plugged in.

When the trucks do get plugged in like i suggest above i use Timers.

Had a good friend and contractor 8 yrs ago loose his whole fleet that was parked in a open sided barn from a shorted block heater.

Again i dont disagree with the practice i just dont do it because of cost and leaving power cords hooked to vechs constant.

[atgreene]

I keep most of mine in the garage now, but anything outside gets plugged in if I plan to use it. Saves the wear and tear on the starters and makes for a faster warm-up, especially when we get to the 20 below for a couple of weeks.

At one point I was plugging in 5 vehicles before I finished my garage, that elect. bill was a killer. But for a late night fire call, a plugged in truck was sweet.:D

[chtucker]

1000+watts 24hrs a day is expensive... It doubles the amount of electricity I use at my house. We typically are in the 400-500kwh a month. When running block heaters I was pushing 1100-1200kwh a month! Thats a HUGE difference.

Unless you don't know when you are leaving (firefighter) I wouldn't worry about it. I had mine on a timer from 2am till 4am every day... If I plowed I always left at the same time...


Coolant is circulated by the blockheaters through convection. More even heat than a pan heater.

We run a pan heater on the transmission of the snow cat, block heater, battery warmer, ether, Webasto, Grid heater.... and the thing still has trouble at times starting... (no isolated to one cat, All 12 of them are tough starters in cold weather at altitude).... Cummins 3.9l

[JD Dave]

I understand what your saying Dave and i know you have a large fleet as well but iam not keeping 10 trucks plugged in , Like Johnny D we run Syth oil in ours and iam not to worryed about scoring a Diesel have had engine oil samples done monthly since having the Diesels and only bad sample that has came back was the 6.0 PowerChoker but it wasnt from not being plugged in.

When the trucks do get plugged in like i suggest above i use Timers.

Had a good friend and contractor 8 yrs ago loose his whole fleet that was parked in a open sided barn from a shorted block heater.

Again i dont disagree with the practice i just dont do it because of cost and leaving power cords hooked to vechs constant.

The fire hazard is a definate concern. I just heard of a company that makes a block heater that has an adjustable thermostat on it. I think that would be great because your block heater would shut off when temps were up and on warmer days.

[MCV]

We run a pan heater on the transmission of the snow cat, block heater, battery warmer, ether, Webasto, Grid heater.... and the thing still has trouble at times starting... (no isolated to one cat, All 12 of them are tough starters in cold weather at altitude).... Cummins 3.9l
You have 12 Snow Cats!??? :notworthy

[chtucker]

at work :wink

[Prosno]

What about this snowcat

[MCV]

at work :wink
I know a guy that works for Vail Resorts, specifically, Beaver Creek.

[chtucker]

I know a guy that works for Vail Resorts, specifically, Beaver Creek.

Then he knows Leadville....

I have radio sites on Beaver Creek, Vail and Copper mountains...

[wls]

In my diesels, when cold weather comes, I switch to rotella 10-30 diesel oil.

[John DiMartino]

You can do better with the 5w40 full synthetic oils from any of the major oil makers.Ive run both Rotella synthetic,and Mobil Delvac 1.My diesels crank much faster,and start easier,the extra cost is offset by fuel savings,and not having to plug in to keep the oil from going to molassis under 10 degrees.

[John DiMartino]

Happy,if you must have a block heater,Id give this one a try. Its not out long,but I like how it operates as needed only,not all the time.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=224609