block heater- how long can it stay pluged in for

[James8485]

have a block heater how long can i stay plugged in for, like can i come home after work plug it in and leave it all night then unplug it in the morning before i leave for work?

or are you only supst to plug em in like 30min before?

have heard both stories

whats the best!!!!

[trent77]

I always plug mine in when I get home. I was always told that it was easier to keep the water warm rather than warming it. I could be wrong, but it works for me. good luck!

[AdAm84]

Mine stays plugged in all night. No problems.

[AudiVWguy]

I put a timer on mine and set it for about an hour before I walk out the door.

[Vincent Waldon]

I put a timer on mine and set it for about an hour before I walk out the door.

This gets my vote... you don't have to remember to go back out to plug it in and you only burn an hour's worth of electricity... all the literature I've read says anything more than an hour (except in extreme temperatures) is probably a waste of energy.

[monomer]

Timer.


outdoor lighting timers work perfect. get atleast the 15 amp model. I set mine for 45mins before I need to head out.


Cabin heats up almost instantly, starts no problem (well, I'm talking about my mercedes...)

[rabbitman]

I use a timer also. I have it set to come on at 7am and I usually leave at 10-11am. This morning it was -35F and started fairly easy. I also have a 100w and a 50w oil pan heater running with the block heater.

[Vincent Waldon]

OK, I'll see your timer, and raise you an X10 outlet controlled by a Linux-based home automation system with an outside temperature probe.

Turns on the block heater when the temperature is below a certain point... and turns it on for a variable length of time depending on how cold it is.

Misspent youth... ;-)

[Smokey Eddy]

OK, I'll see your timer, and raise you an X10 outlet controlled by a Linux-based home automation system with an outside temperature probe.

Turns on the block heater when the temperature is below a certain point... and turns it on for a variable length of time depending on how cold it is.

Misspent youth... ;-)

I'm in love with you Vince. We share wave lengths.

Edit: I thought you had a computer dedicated to reading out side temp and turning on the block heater accordingly, i didn't realize there was actual software already there. Linux based anything is awesome (100 fold if you made it your self, is that your page?)

[Smokey Eddy]

I put a timer on mine and set it for about an hour before I walk out the door.

This gets my vote... you don't have to remember to go back out to plug it in and you only burn an hour's worth of electricity... all the literature I've read says anything more than an hour (except in extreme temperatures) is probably a waste of energy.

Extra awesome if you just drive off without unplugging it, backing out does the unplugging for you.

[zukgod1]

I'm using a timer as well. I was just plugging it in when I got home but found a timer we had bought for x-mas lights in the shed so I use it.

I can tell a difference if I plug it in all night vs using the timer. The car is much warmer in the morning when it's plugged in all night but I didn't like the idea of that 400watt heater going all night.
I have it set to turn on @ 2am and I leave the house about 6:30 so it's on for 4 1/2 hrs in the AM.

[Typrus]

We have a 1500 watt circulation type heater on our 1Z TDI. Plug it in for about an hour and off you go with the guage reading 140 after circulating a bit. You can feel heat in the upper rad hose after maybe 15 minutes. FROSTHeater rocks  

[Golf/Jetta]

i put mine on a wireless outlet controller (for christmas lights) just push a botton and off you go in a hour. (works well if you live in a apartment if not to far from the car)

if you really wanna over do it, a battery blanket, Webasto heater and a charger running all night then the engine heater on the wireless controller.
or BlueHeathttp://www.webastoshowroom.com/blueheat/ when you not near an outlet or the boss is cheap

or just have a two-way(so then you know it starts) car starter and if it doesn't  or has problems you can prepare your-self to take another car or call a friend/booster/tow truck = (taxi) :p without steping outside

while your at it, add all of them in and create weight for the car so then you get better traction in the snow or get stuck. couple of snacks would be good when theres a four - six hour delay for help to find you.

a big battery lasts longer then a small one cranking wise. think a thermo king drycell has 1200 or 1300 of CCA. that bi$ch is going to turn or blow something, but for a hafty price.. 300 CAD with a 10 year replacement warrenty. down fall would be your charger has to charge it all back up again.

[arb]

a big battery lasts longer then a small one cranking wise. think a thermo king drycell has 1200 or 1300 of CCA. that bi$ch is going to turn or blow something, but for a hafty price.. 300 CAD with a 10 year replacement warrenty. down fall would be your charger has to charge it all back up again.

Agreed - always get the largest batteries you can fit in the car, but for $300 I think you can walk out of Costco with 2 Optima batteries that will give you 1700 CCA.

[rabbitman]

Isn't there a point when the cars starter can't draw more, making it a waste to have more cranking amps available?