Plug in Engine Block Heater for Fuel Savings vs Electrical $

tregrrr · **Joined:** Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:37 pm **Posts:** 59

tjkj2002 wrote:

You could be like my father and between Oct-April his F250 SD and all tractors never get shut off besides when he has to change the oil or they break down.Not real fuel saving but eliminates cold starts.

One year when I was hauling in the oil field with one particular company:
between november and march the ONLY two times the engine EVER went silent was when tucked into the barn (15 bay heated garage) or while the owner of the company was yelling into the cell phone for someone to get in his tri-axle and get it the #### out to us so we could drop the trailer and chain tow the disabled beast back to said barn.

Idling a K600 with 660hp CAT @ 1100rpm for the night (as required by -52F indicated plus a wind of 30 gusting to 60MPH) with canvas diapers covering everything underneath... 30+ gallons over night.

....By that rational, might your father be interested in building a barn for his toys?? I hear both Natural Gas and Electricity are cheap enough to pay the construction bill

Hoosier CRD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:35 am

Roger,

This is my first winter with my CRD, or anything else diesel for that matter. I'm in the midwest as you can tell. Of late it has been getting on the colder side of chilly, ca. low 30s (F) to high teens (F). With no block heater use, I found that even in the high 30s the engine would clatter upon first startup then get better throughout the day. With block heater, plugged in when stopped for the evening and unplugged just before start-up, the first start is quite smooth and easy. I use 5W-40 Amsoil, have 95K on the engine and it is essentially stock save for a GDE FT Eco Tune and a breather element at the end of the CCV hose.

I don't worry too much about kw energy use and savings, therefore no timer. My concern is more along the lines of what wear can be avoided by plugging in the heater that results in better/easier first starts.

FWIW,

Hoosier CRD

Dave01 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:29 am

Hoosier CRD wrote:

I don't worry too much about kw energy use and savings, therefore no timer. My concern is more along the lines of what wear can be avoided by plugging in the heater that results in better/easier first starts.

Even if you don't worry about the energy use, it makes sense to buy a $20 timer. Heating for 8-10 hours isn't needed unless it gets REALLY cold.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:16 am

tregrrr wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

You could be like my father and between Oct-April his F250 SD and all tractors never get shut off besides when he has to change the oil or they break down.Not real fuel saving but eliminates cold starts.

One year when I was hauling in the oil field with one particular company:
between november and march the ONLY two times the engine EVER went silent was when tucked into the barn (15 bay heated garage) or while the owner of the company was yelling into the cell phone for someone to get in his tri-axle and get it the #### out to us so we could drop the trailer and chain tow the disabled beast back to said barn.

Idling a K600 with 660hp CAT @ 1100rpm for the night (as required by -52F indicated plus a wind of 30 gusting to 60MPH) with canvas diapers covering everything underneath... 30+ gallons over night.

....By that rational, might your father be interested in building a barn for his toys?? I hear both Natural Gas and Electricity are cheap enough to pay the construction bill

He has one already,90'x280'.Does not really concern him as it's all a tax write off anyway.

Plug in Engine Block Heater for Fuel Savings vs Electrical $

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