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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Jettage1 on February 15, 2009, 02:57:24 pm
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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!
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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.
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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: )
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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.