How Many Have Been Using Their Block Heater This Winter?

[Goose55]

By gosh, I have had to use mine, even down here in sunny Southern Arizona. Though, not all night. I only plug it in when I get up in the morning.

 

[18CrewDually]

By gosh, I have had to use mine, even down here in sunny Southern Arizona. Though, not all night. I only plug it in when I get up in the morning.

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.

 

[odinjunior]

I have been plugging mine in when ever I use it. Mines a grocery getter and I do it so that it will get to operating temperature.

 

[crash68]

The block heater is recommended by Ram to use when the outside temperature is 0°F or below, I use mine to help get up to operating temperature quicker. I have a smart plug programmed to turn on a couple hours before I plan on leaving if the outside temperature is less than 40°F

 

[MontanaHandyman]

Ditto what crash68 said. I consider whatever extra I pay on my power bill as an investment in the engine's longevity.

 

[bigdodge]

Well I finally don't feel so silly doing what you guys are doing. Less idle time in the morning had to be a good thing right.

 

[bcbouy]

it was -23c when i got up this morning.nuff said.and my battery tender is also working overtime.

 

[ppine]

The new truck starts great in the cold down to about zero. I have not used the block heater at all. It has not been necessary.

 

[06 Dodge]

Ditto what crash68 said. I consider whatever extra I pay on my power bill as an investment in the engine's longevity.

IIRC the block heater is 750 watts like in my 06 so if my math is correct that's about 3 kWh for 4 hours of usage, I looked to see my current electricity cost it's $0.067 per kWh so 4 hours would cost about $0.28 so using it, it saves me $$$ not having to burn diesel to warm up the engine, by having an already warm engine I saw an increase in fuel mileage....

 

[06 Dodge]

The new truck starts great in the cold down to about zero. I have not used the block heater at all. It has not be necessary.

I have been able to start a CTD without using the grid heater to -25 below zero without any problems, but by not using the block heater it cost me a lot more burning diesel to warm up the engine to the same temp the block heater could get the engine too in 4-6 hours, the cost of the power for the block heater was/is a lot less then the cost of burning diesel to warm up the engine to the same temp and I'm sure a lot less engine wear at start up by having a warm engine block compared to a cold one...