Engine block heater timer

[Dieselpwrram]

I found that using an appliance timer works great with my engine block heater. I set the on and off time to my usage. I keeps the engine warm without it being on all the time. I think a regular light timer would be a little to light duty.

[guesswho512]

so post a pic and so info about it.

[Mopar1973Man]

Great for people with a fixed schedule that leave for work at a exact time and etc... When I worked the fire dept I had to keep it plugged in all the time to keep the truck ready to roll. But now that I'm no longer doing that as much I don't even worry about plugging in... I just set the high idle allow it to come up to 100*F before I roll... Even if I'm in a hurry I'd just start and roll but drive nice and easy till the coolant reaches the 160 (lower limit)...

[dripley]

lowes, home depot, hardware stores all sell many kinds of timers. simple ones set the same time for everyday and the fancy ones you can set on a day to day schedule. just depends on what you want ot spend.

[Old_Sparky]

Make sure you get a timer that has a three wire connection, not a two wire. The heater plug is a three wire (with ground). I use one that is rated at 1800 watts resistive that works great.

[Prowelder]

Yep bought mine last year from Lowe's and it works great. It's rated at like 15 amps and I have a nice 12 gauge extension cord so everything should be safe. That away in the morning it will come on for a couple of hours before I leave for school. My batteries are old enough that if it isn't plugged in and got too cold that night, I won't get it started b/c the grid heaters will pull them down too much! They are next on my list of things to buy, just hope they hold out for a while.

[Old_Sparky]

My truck is parked in the garage at night. It usually doesn't get below 50 in there. Even so, with it plugged in for two hours before I leave, I get heat much faster than waiting for the truck to warm up from 50 degrees. Plugged in it usually is about 110 when I start the truck.

[Rhagfo]

My truck is parked in the garage at night. It usually doesn't get below 50 in there. Even so, with it plugged in for two hours before I leave, I get heat much faster than waiting for the truck to warm up from 50 degrees. Plugged in it usually is about 110 when I start the truck.

So I still park outside, but usually plug it in between about 42 and lower. I know it is easier on the engine, but it is also nice to get heat faster. I only drive about four miles to work in the morning, so I easily make it to 190.

[Mopar1973Man]

So I still park outside, but usually plug it in between about 42 and lower. I know it is easier on the engine, but it is also nice to get heat faster. I only drive about four miles to work in the morning, so I easily make it to 190.

Well that is a important factor to make sure you reach operation temp before you get to your destination... Yea if I was only ot drive you distance I would for sure keep it plugged in too.

[flagmanruss]

I have a "HD" timer... I've had it a long time. It has 3 prong plugs in & out. If it's really cold, I'll set the timer for 2-3 hours ahead. I made an extra winter with the OEM batteries that way! It's nice to preheat... saves a lot of wear I figure.

[Prowelder]

Here is a picture I found of mine:

[Old_Sparky]

Since my timer is in the garage, I plugged it into an extension cord, then plug the block heater into the timer. That way I can keep the timer plugged in all the time.

[Prowelder]

Since my timer is in the garage, I plugged it into an extension cord, then plug the block heater into the timer. That way I can keep the timer plugged in all the time.

Yeah mine is plugged in inside the garage then the cord runs out to the driveway to the truck.