FYI, 6.4L block heater uses 8 Amps, 960 watts

[titaniumfan]

I was dusting off some snow and had a Seasonic power measuring device handy so I plugged the block heater in to check:

at 120.4 Volts, 59.9Hz, 34F (today's high temp):

current is 7.89-7.93 Amps
watts measured from 949-960
around ~957VA too
power factor is always 1.00

With a PF of 1.00 unless there are some really fancy electronics I'd bet the block heater is a normal, purely resistive load (i.e. like a toaster oven, electric range, etc.)

I know I'm putting the block heater on a timer with a decent extension cord, and not on a loaded circuit.

[George C]

Unless you live in an area where cold start up temps are well below zero, save the $35.00 option cost...

[Stoichiometric]

Yep, that's a lot of current.

Ugh, snow already. We're expecting a couple of inches tonight.

[loft306]

8Amps....WOW!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you live in an area where cold start up temps are well below zero, save the $35.00 option cost...
</div></div>Heh yeah, im in southeastern wisconsin and thus in a state that gets the block heater standard though i don't think i'll be plugging in except on realy cold nights and i already wired in a commercial type circuit timer box near the garage door/driveway and will be adding a waterproof outlet just outside the door.

[newbie_101]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you live in an area where cold start up temps are well below zero, save the $35.00 option cost...
</div></div>

Well put. I don't plug in until overnights dip below -15C. Any warmer than that and you're tossing your $$ out the window. I had to chuckle when someone from CA posted asking about where to find his block heater cord.

[sheepman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryG</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you live in an area where cold start up temps are well below zero, save the $35.00 option cost...
</div></div>

Well put. I don't plug in until overnights dip below -15C. Any warmer than that and you're tossing your $$ out the window. I had to chuckle when someone from CA posted asking about where to find his block heater cord. </div></div>

There are parts of California that get Very cold and a deep, large amounts of snow. (ie; Donner Pass area.) Just to name one.

[parcours]

Save the $35 (less if you have a discount plan), on a $50K+ truck you're kidding right?

Just because I live in Cali doesn't mean I'm not going to use the truck in other parts of Cali or another state that are cold enough to justify the block heater .

I have to laugh when folks tell you to save pennies on an inexpensive option like a block heater.

After all, it's not like adding a Nav system or 20's..

[Zullo]

I think I paid $23 for the block heater after the discount when I ordered the truck. Others have told me this also makes the supplemental cab heater work more instantaneously ... I guess I will soon find out. A circuit timer box sounds like a good idea.

We already spend too much on electricity in Maryland after Baltimore Gas & Electric increased their rates 72% and the "boy" governor Martin O'Malley is looking at every option to increase spending and taxes and has already succeeded in his endeavor.

Oh sorry... I'll toss my soapbox out in the yard... or will they tax me for that? Watch out--- he'll probably run for President in the next up and coming years after he's ruined us! Oops, off-topic.... they'll delete this thread and send me to a re-education camp in upstate New York so that Sen. Clinton can oversee my anger mgmt/sensitivity/political correctness training.

[George C]

The block heater makes the cab heat faster?
First, it doesn't heat the coolant, which is where your normal heat is drawn.
The PTC heater is a seperate, electronic element within the HVAC duct.

[jam116]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryG</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you live in an area where cold start up temps are well below zero, save the $35.00 option cost...
</div></div>

Well put. I don't plug in until overnights dip below -15C. Any warmer than that and you're tossing your $$ out the window. I had to chuckle when someone from CA posted asking about where to find his block heater cord. </div></div>
So you have a 75 year old parent that drives a truck. They have issues with the cold because of health...You think it is not something to consider even in CA....My Dad (when living) would struggle at 40 degrees....Don't you think it would be worth it to pulg his truck up so that he will get heat quicker when he drives....Rather than eat 2 to 3 dollars letting it warm up in the driveway in the winter...Put it on a timer and this way he can go out and start the truck and drive away.....

[rlchv70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The block heater makes the cab heat faster?
First, it doesn't heat the coolant, which is where your normal heat is drawn.
The PTC heater is a seperate, electronic element within the HVAC duct.
</div></div>

The block heater does heat the coolant.

[Ol Forder]

This discussion has found a fork in the proverbial road. The original posting was measuring the power consumption of the coolant (block) heater. Running it on a timer sounds like a good idea since at 960W (resistive), it's about the same as running your wife's hair dryer all night long. You'll need deep pockets to do this for 8 hours every winter night. Ouch!

The duct thingy that helps heat the air before your engine temps get up there is the supplemental cab heater. That's run off the truck's alternator, requiring you to upgrade to the 200A extra-heavy duty unit.

[titaniumfan]

Think of the supplemental cab heater as a built-in 12V DC hair dryer that works when the rest of the truck is cold. Unlike the wimpy 12V ones they sell to RV'ers this version has some decent amperage (ok higher ampacity) for some actual heat, hence the requirement for a higher-rated alternator.

[George C]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

So you have a 75 year old parent that drives a truck. They have issues with the cold because of health...You think it is not something to consider even in CA....My Dad (when living) would struggle at 40 degrees....Don't you think it would be worth it to pulg his truck up so that he will get heat quicker when he drives....Rather than eat 2 to 3 dollars letting it warm up in the driveway in the winter...Put it on a timer and this way he can go out and start the truck and drive away.....
</div></div>

The truck will be far from "warm" by using the block heater alone. It's intended to warm the lubricants, not the occupant.
What he needs is the PTC supplemental heater.
Maybe a remote starter makes even more sense for him, but the block heater is a waste ot money and energy for what he needs.

[LiftedBlackHD]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryG</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you live in an area where cold start up temps are well below zero, save the $35.00 option cost...
</div></div>

Well put. I don't plug in until overnights dip below -15C. Any warmer than that and you're tossing your $$ out the window. I had to chuckle when someone from CA posted asking about where to find his block heater cord. </div></div>

I always chuckle when people from out of state, or in this case out of country think that California is nothing but palm trees, bikinis and beaches. Everythng you see on the big screen isn't always accurate...