Block heater questions

03F250 · Nov 25, 2013

How much power does the block heater on my truck draw? It's the '03 7.3L diesel.

Is it feasible to think that I could run an inverter and plug the block heater into the inverter to warm up the engine when it's really cold? If so, how big of an inverter would I need and how long does it take to warm the engine so it'll start easily? FWIW, I'm talking about temps in the 20-30 degrees range.

Thank you.

JLDickmon · Nov 25, 2013

1,500 watts

The inverter deal won't work, as electricity produced by chemical reaction decreases proportional to time.

Get a timer rated at 1,500 watts and as short of a cord as you can get away with, and plug it in

DaveBen · Nov 25, 2013

It sounds like you want to power the Block Heater by using an inverter hooked up to the batteries. This will discharge the batteries quick with a 1.5 Kw load. You will be unable to start the truck after using the inverter. You will need an inverter rated at 3000 watts to handle the load safely. Do as JL says, plug it in for three hours before you need the truck.

Dave

03F250 · Nov 26, 2013

Ok, you guys answered my question, but I don't think you understand what I wanted to do. I am plugging it in when I'm at the house, but I wondered what my options were for when I'm away from home (i.e. camping). Do I need to buy a freakin' generator to carry along to start a couple hours before I need to start the truck to plug the truck in to?

JRJ04 · Nov 26, 2013

If you've got good batteries, glow plugs, and a glow plug relay....cycle the glow plugs a few times when you're not able to plug it in and it'll fire right up. It might not like it at first, but it'll start.

DaveBen · Nov 26, 2013

If it does not start, then you need a generator.

Dave

WD40 · Nov 26, 2013

When the temps are only in the 20's to 30's and up you don't need a generator to heat up your
truck, just make sure everything is working on your truck like Jourdan said.
You should be fine. If everything is working like it should your truck should start right up at 0.
Doug

dpantazis · Nov 27, 2013

1. synthetic oil. not the syn-blended stuff, real synthetic.

2. keep on your batteries. if you are really in the boon docks, consider a spare or two in the bed. use the orange (?color) off the 7 pin to keep them charged. jump from them if you have to. but for the size/weight, a generator is just as much hassle. and a genny will have 12V circuit too.

3. make sure that your glow plugs and relay are in good working order.

4. synthetic oil. did i say that already?

i have been in the boon docks in january in north dakota, -5 out for a few days and she will fire. she will grunt and groan but she will fire and she will warm up.

f100cleveland · Nov 27, 2013

No. 1 diesel if you can get it otherwise Howes or power service antigell additive. I carry along some stuff call 911 that is suppost to help out if you start to gell up. My 01 would fire up below zero but it loped and rattled and smoked so bad the truck disappeared.

BIG JOE · Nov 27, 2013

What Everyone.. has said so far.

1500 watts will pull most any batteries down... PDQ.

5w40 FULL synthetic oil is the ticket, for cooold weather starts. (as dp said twice

)

Joe

Block heater questions

03F250

SDD Junior Member

JLDickmon

ursus combibo

DaveBen

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03F250

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JRJ04

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DaveBen

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WD40

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dpantazis

#12

f100cleveland

When In Doubt,THROTTLE ON

BIG JOE

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