Be careful with engine block heaters
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - The Reno Fire Department released new details following a house fire near Wooster High School. It happened Monday, April 18, 2022 around 10:45 p.m. at 1570 Clemson Drive. Fir...
Forum Discussion
shum02 wrote:JRscooby wrote:Lwiddis wrote:
I’m unfamiliar with block heaters. How much power do they draw, JR?
I don't know for sure. I had mine hooked to a timer, only on for couple hours in morning. Often the cord, (25 ft, 12 gauge) would melt ice/snow around it.
Mine draws about 800 watts. Been using it 15 years without issue but why would you even bother to turn it on if it's not even below freezing?
block heater draw varies. I'd say it can be as low as 750W or so and I know they can be as high as 1500W. GM diesel block heaters are in the 1200-1500W range IIRC. Starting sometime after 2004 they also added a thermostat so the block heater will only come on below a certain temp and then cycle on and off.
I suspect way to many people use to small a cord and to long a cord which could lead to problems
