Diesel Engine heater block-Yes or No

X2 on what Mommalu said.. When I worked on school buses we did the same thing.. On weekends the drivers left them unplugged and we would go out and plug them in on Sun. eve for Mon. morning.. And only if it got in the low 20s or below.. I think the heaters used like 1100 or 1200 watts of power so we only used them when needed..

In our school bus lot of about 100 diesels, buses are plugged in each night. On Fridays they are plugged in but the power is not switched on until Midnight Sunday for the 4-6 AM starts. It costs $100 each night, so weekend buses are kept in the heated garages.
Plug your unit in 4 hrs before you need to start it and all will be well, any longer is an unnecessary expense.

We run ours when using it only, sometimes if its down below 20, just run it all night.

Anywhere from 2-3 hours before starting to the night before. Otherwise you are just using electricity and shortenibg the life of the heating element.

It has also been shown that leaving the block heater on after starting allows for cavitation around the heating element and sometimes is responsible for the element burning out.

If I turn the block heater on an hour before starting our Cat engine (30*) it starts right up and purrrs. I've started it up when the temp is 35* without using the block heater (I forgot to turn it on before leaving) and it took about 3-4 minutes for the engine heater alarm to quit going off and on as well as the "Wait to Start" light to quite blinking off and on.

It was mentioned earlier to turn on the block heater the night before. This works just right in most cases.

I don't own a DP but drove Trucks with Diesel Engines (CAT motors) for 44 years and during the winter when we had freezing temps outside the engines started really easy after being plugged in.

I used ours recently in Borrego Springs, CA. I turned it on before we went to bed (the electric block heater, also have Aqua-Hot engine heater), so, it was on for about 8 hr. The low fell to about 40 and the engine started very smooth the next morning. I don't use it often as we usually stay where it's warm.

MM.

I would leave the block heater off until 24-36 hours prior to starting up the engine. That was how I handled my bus for our annual winter trip down south. IT is easier starting on the motor for sure. My f350, I treat the same way. If I am going to use it the next day, I plug in the block heater if its staying in the 20's or below. Not because I need to, but because its easier on the engine and I get heat in the cab faster.

teeznu wrote:
What's your thought. In cold weather (below freezing) is it a good idea to keep the engine block heater "ON" or "off" if the coach is just setting and the engine will not be started anytime soon?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Stephen,

I think you need to run you generator 24/7 and use the block heater at all times.
I want you nice and warm when you come to Gladstone.

BIG OL GRIN
Richard