Block heater
Should the block heater on my diesel pusher be left on during the winter months?
Forum Discussion
The block heater is about 500 - 750 watts, and running all winter will add say $45 a month to your electric bill.
It only needs to run a couple of hours before starting it on a day that is below 32F. Most big rigs do not run then at all, and start up fine at 5F. Those in northern areas, might run a heater if they are parked overnight at below 25F for faster warmups, and to control oil pressure at start up.
If the engine is not warm and you run it near max RPM, it will be pumping a lot of very cold thick oil, leading to very high pressures. This is one of the reasons fire trucks are left plugged in 24/7 and so are hospital emergency generators, despite the electric costs.
Good luck,
Fred.
It only needs to run a couple of hours before starting it on a day that is below 32F. Most big rigs do not run then at all, and start up fine at 5F. Those in northern areas, might run a heater if they are parked overnight at below 25F for faster warmups, and to control oil pressure at start up.
If the engine is not warm and you run it near max RPM, it will be pumping a lot of very cold thick oil, leading to very high pressures. This is one of the reasons fire trucks are left plugged in 24/7 and so are hospital emergency generators, despite the electric costs.
Good luck,
Fred.
