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Topic: Cummins: What is this used for? (Read 735 times) previous topic - next topic

Cummins: What is this used for?

In the electrical area under the bed there is a 120V plug that has not been plugged in since I have owned the coach. I do not know what it is for. I traced the wiring to a device mounted on the engine block. For the life of me I can't figure out what the 120Vac would be used for on the Cummins.
The picture shows it going to a white connector mounted on the side of the device.
Any help would be appreciated.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #1 –
Oh, in the picture it is the bottom cable that goes into the triangle looking thing.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #2 –
Most likely the block heater.  You should have a lighted switch on the bed end marked block heater.
Turn the switch on, should light up. Leave on for an hour or so, feel block for warmth or start engine in cold and see if it warms up quicker and starts quicker.

Gary B

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #3 –
Yes the red light for the block heater comes on when it is activated. Are you thinking the cable should be plugged in for the block heater to work?
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #4 –
That's how mine works, although I have a Detroit rather than a Cummins.

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #5 –
The block heater is a simple resistance loop heating element similar to the ones in electric water heaters. It consists of the element screwed into the block and a cable which terminates in a standard household 120VAC two prong plug which can be plugged into a regular power outlet. In our coach, the outlet is on the other side of that partition inside the engine bay. It won't get hot if it isn't plugged in. That outlet only works on shore or generator power, not inverter.
Don
Quote from: Old Hippie –
Yes the red light for the block heater comes on when it is activated. Are you thinking the cable should be plugged in for the block heater to work?
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #6 –
It probably hasn't been plugged in since the coach was born due to the coach having the Aqua-Hot option.  One awesome feature of the A-H is its ability to warm your engine better than a block heater.  Here in MI it's been needed many times.  :o  ^.^d
Bill & Jan Velting
1998 U320 36'    2014 Xtreme facelift
build #5339  MC#17207
current toad: 2014 Cadillac SRX

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #7 –
FWIW,
I believe the block heater is the correct answer.  If you have one of those thermometer guns you can easily check to see if it is working.  Just flip the red switch at the foot of the bed and it should light up.  You can check to see if the electric box works easily with a volt meter or tester.  Though plugged in, red light working, my block heater wire had been chewed by mice (I think) and had shorted out (not heating the block).  It was not working until I discovered the bad wiring and replaced.  Now it works well and easily checked using that harbor freight cheap non contact temp tester.  I guess you could just feel with your hand at the beginning and then after it had been on a while, to see if it felt warmer.    The main reason I chimed in with the correct answers already given was those dang rodents kept mine from working and was a little bit of an issue when I needed it and it did not work like it should have.  If it gets cold and you don't have an aquahot (like my 295), these things are useful.  Would recommend you plug that bad boy in and check to make sure working.  Best of travels. 
Best of Travels

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #8 –
I'm sure block heater is what the wire is for. I use them all the time where I live, especially on diesels. It is a good idea to turn it off before you start the engine. It is claimed that all it takes to burn them out is an air bubble in the coolant to burn them out. I try to remember to turn them off, unplug them in my case, sometimes I forget and have never burned one out.Mark
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #9 –
Thanks all. I will test it out.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Cummins: What is this used for?

Reply #10 –
Here's a photo of a block heater on the bench and one of the new one installed.
jor

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