How Many Have Been Using Their Block Heater This Winter?

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bcbouy

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my last ram didn't have a block heater and lord almighty did it sound cranky when it started at -20c or colder. it was almost scary,and the poor starter really got a workout trying to turn it over.the wifes Mazda,same thing.a couple of times it simply would not start,not enough jam in the starter.the Tesla,non issue.just have to preheat it up and good to go,but the batteries will only charge to 70% if it's really cold.
 

Ratman6161

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Ditto what crash68 said. I consider whatever extra I pay on my power bill as an investment in the engine's longevity.
I see you have a 5.7 Hemi. Note that Crash6i has the Eco Diesel and many others are Cummins people. I really don't believe the block heater is going to ma,e a significant t difference on the gas engines. I've got a bloc, heateron my 2500/6.4L but I've only used it once to test it.

I live in Minnesota and spent 4 years in North Dakota,2 in Montana, and Grew up in Upstate NY. In ND back in the late 80's I used to use a block heater when temps were -30F but mostly have never used them. Never used th3m at all on any of our vehicals since we mover back to MN. Dead batteries have stood in our way a couple of times but never the lack of a block heater.
 
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Goose55

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I'm in Oregon of the West side of the Cascades. I drive an '09 2500 6.7. The coldest we had this winter was about 20 deg. but, like some others I leave my block heater and a Battery maintainer on all the time. It starts immediately, and I do believe that it causes less wear on the engine.
:happy160:
 
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Goose55

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Not necessary. I did pop the rubber cap off and saw the plug is staying bright clean and dry. Unless it got down below 10°f I would not even consider it.
Yes, it is necessary. Most all posting here agree. Enjoy having to replace your DPF and turbo charger
 

18CrewDually

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Yes, it is necessary. Most all posting here agree. Enjoy having to replace your DPF and turbo charger

Not necessary in my climate and usage. You asked a specific question and I answered. You can't tell me what's necessary when you do not know how, when, & where I use my truck.
And my DPF & turbo are happy as they could be with 40k+ miles on them. Clean as a whistle.
If you're concerned about your turbo and DPF plugging up, plugging in the block heater won't save them from your low speed putt putt driving around town as you indicate in other posts. Working the truck is much better for it. I use mine for towing majority of the time.
 

jejb

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I have not used a block heater since buying my first house, which was in the early 80's in MN. I kept the temp in the attached garage above freezing in the winter by installing a natural gas heater in there. So no block heater needed. And if it had to parked at work all day in below zero weather, there was no place to plug in anyway.

I live in Arkansas now. We don't really get block heater worthy weather here.
 
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Goose55

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Not necessary in my climate and usage. You asked a specific question and I answered. You can't tell me what's necessary when you do not know how, when, & where I use my truck.
And my DPF & turbo are happy as they could be with 40k+ miles on them. Clean as a whistle.
If you're concerned about your turbo and DPF plugging up, plugging in the block heater won't save them from your low speed putt putt driving around town as you indicate in other posts. Working the truck is much better for it. I use mine for towing majority of the time.
Though my in town speed my be low, my RPMs are always up whenever I drive around town. I use the gear limit toggle to do that. No "putt, putt." As for my religious use of the block heater, when needed, I will continue to do so. Having compression ignition, Diesel engines do not like to start cold.
 
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Longhorn1500

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It's coming to block heater weather again... My, recently sold, 14 1500 had the block heater since it was originally a Canada truck. My, recently purchased, 19 2500 CTD did not come with a cord for the block heater (I guess that's because it was a Texas truck). I purchased a block heater cord and installed it today. Now I have one! It doesn't get very cold here in western Washington, into the 20's a couple times a year, but I still want to plug it in to keep the engine warm on the cool/damp days.

Does anyone use the Power Badger engine block heater controller? It sounds like it would work pretty well in these milder climates.
 

06 Dodge

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It's coming to block heater weather again... My, recently sold, 14 1500 had the block heater since it was originally a Canada truck. My, recently purchased, 19 2500 CTD did not come with a cord for the block heater (I guess that's because it was a Texas truck). I purchased a block heater cord and installed it today. Now I have one! It doesn't get very cold here in western Washington, into the 20's a couple times a year, but I still want to plug it in to keep the engine warm on the cool/damp days.

Does anyone use the Power Badger engine controller? block heater It sounds like it would work pretty well in these milder climates.
Why pay so much money for the power badger when you can use a good digital timer for a lot less money, when I lived in north IA I bought a 15 amp in/out door digital timer at Menards, I used that thing every winter from 2007 to 2018, never had any problems with it and it never failed to get power to he block heater, I think it cost me all of $15.00 back in 2006, my first winter I used a cheap $6.00 from Walmart that by the end of winter it did not like to stay plugged in to the wall socket so there is no need to spend $150. on a power controller when a simple quality timer will do the same job for a lot less $$$$.
 

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I agree. I plug the block heater in when i get home. It takes many many months to use 150 bucks of power. A simple 20 buck timer that kicks on at 3 in the morning is all you need to cut down on electrical use. Personally, I pulg it in so it stays warm and never think about the power is uses.
 

Choupique

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Same. I just plug mine in and let it be warm forever.

A $20 outlet timer that comes on 3 hours before your morning drive is an excellent thing to have.
 

crash68

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Does anyone use the Power Badger engine block heater controller? It sounds like it would work pretty well in these milder climates.
You can get a smart switch that you can program with your phone and even check if the block heater is actually on. It would be a bunch less $$ than the Badger. A Cummins block heater is 700 watts, most smart switches are rated for double this
 

18CrewDually

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You can get a smart switch that you can program with your phone and even check if the block heater is actually on. It would be a bunch less $$ than the Badger. A Cummins block heater is 700 watts, most smart switches are rated for double this

Thanks for the idea, never thought of it. And my house runs on Smartthings already so I could have the outlet come on with a set schedule or on demand from my phone. Now I just need to swap out that outlet in the garage.
 

bcbouy

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my new garage should be done by december, then no more block heater,trickle charger and best of all,no cleaning frost and snow.
 

crash68

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Thanks for the idea, never thought of it. And my house runs on Smartthings already so I could have the outlet come on with a set schedule or on demand from my phone. Now I just need to swap out that outlet in the garage.
I haven't played with a Smartthings hub, but my smart plug I have programmed to not turn on if it's over 40°F outside along with a schedule.
 

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WY-Dave

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Remote outlet with timer @ WallyMart $30 I usually set for 3 hrs before leaving unless < -10°, then leave on all night. IIRC, the heater is temp controlled and only comes on when needed. Haven't been able to confirm that.

 

Dean2

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You guys are working way too hard. There are a ton of thermostatically controlled switches that incorporate timers. You can set them to run for x hours at y temp, a hours at b temp etc. So effectively you can set it to run full time below minus 15 C, and a certain number of hours above minus 15 but below 0C, or any other higher temp. They cost about 30 bucks on up and many are Wifi programmable. The more programmable ranges the more they cost.
 
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