Block heater / tank heater plug-in: what works for you?

[Jettage1]

This is my day for questions, evidently...  

I have installed a block heater.  My car sits outside so I use an extension cord from the garage.  Two questions for those of you who do this:

1.  How do you "waterproof" your 110v connection in case of rain/snow (heater plug-to-extension cord) - (mine comes thru the lower bumper)?

2.  What sort of timer do you use?  Needs to be a 3-prong grounded, of course.

If you have a setup that works especially well, I'd be interested in hearing more before I go spending $$.

Thanks!

[madrogers]

I just hooked up a lamp type timer in the garage works good the block heater only draws about 5-7 amps and they are good for about 10-14. you only need 2-3 hours of plug in time to warm up the engine. in winnipeg here I installed two block heaters in my 1.6 n/a and it moves the guage up to two ticks after 4 hours outside at - 30. (at work)
mark.

[jtanguay]

even a half hour on the block heater will help, but as stated above, it will take about 2 hours or so to get the block up to temp (and hold it there) - anything more is just wasting electricity.  the warmup time is also affected by how cold it is outside (obviously  :lol: )

[zukgod1]

I don't worry about the connection really I just make sure it's not laying on the ground.

I have a timer I use for mine that I think was designed for Christmas lights.
The rating was high enough for the block heater.

I have it set to turn on @ midnight and off @ 6:30. I'm already on the road @ 6:30 but that way I'm not leaving a live cord on the driveway.

I like the extra time for the heater to heat things up, I'm sure some of the heat transfers to the trans as well which makes me feel better.