Hi have a '97 Sierra 3/4-ton with the 6.5 TD/4L80-E. Yesterday was the first real "cold spell" we've had so far in Indiana where I go to school (a whopping 20 degrees, yeah I know that's nothing for the rest of the world), and my truck refused to start, but was more than willing to drain the batteries from cranking. So I plugged in the factory block heater (at least I think it's factory, the power cord for it comes up on the driver's side near the battery), and my battery charger and left it for about 50 minutes. When I went back it cranked and started right up better than ever. Drove it to Subway to pick up some dinner and left it running while I went inside, it happily clacked along no problems. So, since the weather is only supposed to get colder over the next few weeks, I've left the truck plugged in. Is this a problem? Can I feel ok about leaving it plugged in or should I only plug it in before I plan to use it? I drive my truck maybe 2 or 3 times during the week (usually take long trips on weekends), but it's nice to not have to wait an hour before driving it anywhere.

Thanks!

There really isn't a problem with leaving the heater plugged in for extended periods of time. The only concern would be power usage. If you don't care how many kw hours you spend on keeping your motor warm, then more power to ya.


Justin

i leave mine plugged in all the time, except when i drive of course.


i also have a battery maintainer mounted on the fender well for keeping the batteries warm at night, and also, a magnetic oil pan heater. i like my 6.5td to be snuggly at night, and warm when i startup in the mornings.

Also, don't leave heater pluged in while trying to start, current from the starter will try to find a ground throught the heater. Will fry the heater. (personal experience)

Thanks for the advice. Now I can feel good about leaving it plugged in (except when I start it!).

I would check the glow plugs, that truck should have started in those temps without plugging it in

My 97 never needed the heater to start... down to zero. Cranked a bit longer at the colder temps and rattled but always started.

The block heater is like 1000 watts... that's alot of electric over a month

Good to know about not leaving it plugged in when you start it.. I've been doing it all winter every morning. Haven't had a problem yet but I'll take your word for it and stop that now.


You can get a timer so you can plug it in when you get home and set it to not start getting power until an hour or two before you'll be leaving, FWIW. Works good for me because I leave at the same time every morning and save on my electricity bill.Edited by: Camstyn

I've heard that the heater is designed to reach ideal block temp. in three hours. In order to be ready in the morning This would mean installing a timer on a curcuit that you'd power your heater off of. If you started your truck at 6:30am, your timer should be set at 3:30am. I'm not saying you shouldn't run it all night, just that it may not have been designed to be.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/543_turbo.jpg

I think the heater is more like 400 watts. I can't remember. I plug mine in when I get home at night and unplug it when I start it. I have left it plugged in while running with no side affects.

I think they vary in watts, cold weather ones are around 1000 watts and some are about 600, depending on where you live or what you have installed yourself. I don't worry about leaving it plugged in all night because I live with my parents and they said it doesn't really make a difference on their bill, and it beats not having my truck start in the morning and having to take one of their vehicles.


I did start unplugging before I start it though, did that once in a while and didn't know it was bad.

Up here in Canada those of us with remote starters start our trucks with them plugged in all the time. There is NO connection between the 12v electrical system and the element in the block heater- therefore NO problem. I have read where some guys think the rush of cold antifreeze circulating past the element after the engine starts could cause the element to go but I've never experianced that, nor do I know anybody that has. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif