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Topic: When to start the block heater (Read 557 times) previous topic - next topic

When to start the block heater

We need to start out early tomorrow morning for a service appointment. Temp will be in the mid-teens then. Should I turn on the block heater before we go to bed or wait until we get up. We'll be up about two hours before I want to start the engine.

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #1 –
David,

I run mine at least 4-6 hours prior to stsrting.

Just my experience ^.^d
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #2 –
If your heater is a 1000 watt unit, I would turn it on just before you go to bed. With the poor location of the Detroit block heater, two hours probably won't do it. Rather spend $1 for juice than more down the road for starter work.

How about buying a 1500 watt timer for future use? You could set it to turn on at 3am.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #3 –
Thanks. I'll turn it on as we're heading to bed, which will be fairly soon. I'm glad I don't have much more to move. Less than three weeks till the auction.

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #4 –
I turned mine on two hours before starting with the Aquahot.  It heated up the Coolant nicely.  I think I was 110 by the time I started on the silver leaf and it was 9 degrees outside.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #5 –
Oh that was on Diesel not electric.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #6 –
I would turn it on tonight.  I know 2 hours isn't enough for my 6V92 with temps in the teens.  I also seem to always forget to turn it on in the morning when I wake up.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #7 –
I turned it on just before we went to bed last night, and when I was ready to start the engine it fired right up.

Re: When to start the block heater

Reply #8 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
I turned it on just before we went to bed last night, and when I was ready to start the engine it fired right up.
^.^d What a good way to "start" the day's adventure. :D
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX