heater plug wears out

ColoradoCRD · **Joined:** Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:25 am **Posts:** 60

The benefits of my engine heater were seriously diminished so something was wrong. I guessed that the electrical cable at the plug was shot, and I guessed right. I cut out a foot of cord and wired a new plug.

Just a heads up for those who use their heater regularly. I plug in (with a timer) probably 100 to 150 times a year and the Jeep is approaching 5 years, so the elec cable is getting a lot of fatigue. Not mention every now and then I drive off with the cord still plugged in. Ouch!

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:09 pm

ColoradoCRD wrote:

Not mention every now and then I drive off with the cord still plugged in. Ouch!

I have worried I would be doing that. I haven't yet but my day is comming.

alvanko · **Posted:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:03 pm

I just noticed mine was arcing this week. I don't want to have a "big" plug on the end that I can't push back through the grill in the summer. I wonder what a new cord would cost from the dealer.
I may just splice a cord with a small plug on the end. I can splice it under the hood.

05infernoCRDL · **Posted:** Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:19 am

here is what i did with mine....

made a little pig tail and plugged it into the block heater... then
modified the other end of an extention cord to plug into the 7 way

the back of the 7 way goes to a normal plug.. so if i don't have
my cord i can still open the hood and use it the factory way

oh 3 of the 7 are used for the heater... the other 4 are split 2 and
2 for my CRD specific jumper cables :twisted:

Big Ugly · **Joined:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:13 am **Posts:** 52

Stock replacement cord is $20 from the stealership. I looked into it today because I think my cord is on it's last leg.

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:43 am

05infernoCRDL wrote:

here is what i did with mine....

made a little pig tail and plugged it into the block heater... then
modified the other end of an extention cord to plug into the 7 way

the back of the 7 way goes to a normal plug.. so if i don't have
my cord i can still open the hood and use it the factory way

oh 3 of the 7 are used for the heater... the other 4 are split 2 and
2 for my CRD specific jumper cables :twisted:

Picture needs to be bigger, but I like that a lot!

I'm working on something similar for mine, I got what they call a 'power inlet' from an RV supplier that is basically a circular socket with the pins instead of the holes. I was planning on installing it into one of the bumper protrusions, since I happen to know that those are only backed by a thin steel cup screwed into the real bumper... And there is a hole in the real bumper under that. But if I can get enough support behind the grille, I might do like yours. I'm just concerned about the physical force needed to insert the plug or remove it, the stupid socket or cable takes what seems like a lot of push to get it to seat. Maybe I might file down the pins a bit first... Its only a 400w line anyway. Those pins are rated for 2400 watts.

Crankworm · **Posted:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:37 am

Not mention every now and then I drive off with the cord still plugged in. Ouch!

I have been hanging the extension cord over the drivers side rearview mirror when its plugged in to avoid the driveoff. On a side note I had someone at work ask me if my Jeep was a hybrid after seeing the plug sticking though the grill

painemann · **Joined:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:02 pm **Posts:** 607

This is what I used, works awsome, I'll post a pic later!

http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-150BBI-Marine-Charger-125-Volt/dp/B000NI38MG

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:54 pm

Yup, thats exactly what I've got.

RabidRdKill · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:11 pm

Big Ugly wrote:

Stock replacement cord is $20 from the stealership. I looked into it today because I think my cord is on it's last leg.

Did they happen to give you the part number? My stealership parts guy, who's normally very patient and reliable looking up parts for the CRD, couldn't find the block heater cord....

racertracer · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:02 am

What is the DC part number for the heater cord?

Anybody know?

click23 · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 9:22 am **Posts:** 309

racertracer wrote:

What is the DC part number for the heater cord?

Anybody know?

Looking at the parts fiche, it appears to be 56044765AA.

danoid · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:39 pm

ColoradoCRD wrote:

Not mention every now and then I drive off with the cord still plugged in. Ouch!

I've been dreaming about making a 120V AC system in the car that would consist of...

1. block heater
2. battery heater
3. trickle charger
4. starter interlock (when there's 120 - there's no cranking. Impossible to drive off.)
5. waterproof connector

Several issues with this that I haven't put forth the effort to overcome. First is finding a 120V relay and charger that will live permanently in an underhood environment. Second is packaging. Third is where to intercept the wiring to prevent starting.

At this point the project is filed under, "need more time and money." But if I do it, I'll leave detailed instructions...

e_poirier2004 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:40 pm

Easy solutions to your problems: Use a pulsetech charger, I have one and it works great. There's a version with both the 120v adapter and solar panel. For relays, just install it on the solenoid on the shifter so you wouldn't be able to disengage it from park and you could use any relay (inside the truck.) A few good source for electrical parts: http://www.mouser.com, http://www.alliedelec.com and http://www.newark.com. I work in developing test equipment for aircraft units and we get most of our parts from these 3 suppliers. The waterproof connector can come from many suppliers as Marinco (previous post), Hubbell (Bryant), leviton just to name a few. Don't forget to make all your 120 connections waterproof using shrink sleeving with glue or Raychem insulated splices (http://www.mouser.com/catalog/629/831.pdf. Something which is also pleasant is a small 120v blower heater for inside the truck to start deicing the windshield and make it more pleasant. Good luck.

geordi · **Posted:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:40 am

I use a heavy-duty outdoor timer on mine, but I like the idea of a small heater to pre-warm the inside of the truck! I may have to swipe that idea from you. :mrgreen:

As for driving off with the cable still attached... Go visit your local fire station and inquire about their system. You will probably meet some guys who are happy to talk trucks with you, and will show you an "Automatic-Kick-Out" plug that has a 12-v activated center pin that forcibly shoves the plug out when the engine cranks.

Yea, it's a bit of overkill for our trucks, but then again... Driving off with the power cable still attached just screams of 'Doofus behind the wheel' that probably shouldn't be shared with the public. :ROTFL:

heater plug wears out

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