Engine block heater

Don't know where your block heater plug-in would be (mine is in the electrical bay), but your breaker should be OFF unless you need the block heater.

Also, in winter once you have warmed your block and started your engine, turn the breaker off.

At least that is the best practice on a Cummins and I cannot imagine why it would be different in a CAT.

Teebucket1313 wrote:
I have a C7 330hp Turbo Cat in a 2006 Sportcoach Encore 40TS. The engine block heater is tripping the breaker in the power panel. I can't see it, and can't find where it's plugged into the coach. I read on some rigs there's an AC outlet in the storage area that it plugs into so when the coach is on shore power or generator the heater will turn on as needed. I want to unplug it until I have it repaired.

Thanks for any input.
Happy Camping, Dennis

Dennis,
As in many aspects of these rolling Kleenex boxes, there's lots of things that are different from coach to coach, and manufacturer to manufacturer. The actual block heater on the engine, is on the drivers side, about a couple of inches above the oil pan gasket, under the turbo. It has a plug on it if, you cannot find out where to un-plug the 120VAC side.

Now, in our coach, behind the drivers side duals, is our electrical/shore power/Inverter/Charger compartment. Also in that compartment is, a 120VAC plug and, AC receptacle. That is for plugging that Block heater into A/C power. Does it mean it's in the same area on your coach, not a clue. But, I think you should have two other means of shutting down the Block heater system. One should be an actual wall switch, located only you know where, in your coach. And, the second way should be a 120VAC breaker in your breaker panel that may be dedicated to just that circuit.
Scott

Usually in the engine area. Leave the breaker tripped if you cannot find it as it should be the only thing on it.

Mine is plugged in the same compartment the inverter/charger is in.

Go to the driver's side of the engine (yes, from underneath or if you have full top access, you can lean over and look), look for the 120 VAC "regular" electric cord coming from the driver's side of the engine, below the manifold/turbo.

Trace it back to the outlet!

If no problem with the cord (such as melted on the exhaust pipe), likely, your block heater has a dead short. Would need to replace it if you need a block heater.

Thank you all for your responses. I didn't realize it was on all the time. I'm going to use "best practice on a Cummins" thats makes a lot of sense.

Happy Camping, bye Dennis

The block heater should not be on all the time. You turn the switch on when it is going to be very cold only. The switch on mine is on the side of the bed box. It is a switch with a amber light on it. When you turn it on the light goes on.

If it has been left on all the time, including on when driving with the generator on, it is quite likely that the block heater element is blown.

If so, draining coolant and replacing it is the only option if you are in a climate where you need a block heater.

VERY easy to test. With engine completely cold, feel the block near the heater. Turn it on. Feel the block near the heater after 30 minutes. If hot, it works. If the same temperature, it is bad.

If no change in temperature, before replacing, DO plug something else into the 120 VAC outlet to verify that the outlet is getting power.

Thanks everyone, bye Dennis