Hello folks,

Just curious if anyone knows how much power the factory block heaters pull while plugged in.

It was -7* last night and I left it plugged in all night long keeping the juices warm. It sounds like there is a pump circulating the coolant throughout the motor on my 01 f-150 Screw.

I am guessing at least 1000 watts...anyone know a tried and true number?

Thanks!
--Justin

 

I'm pretty sure it's much less than 1000 watts. I have a honda 1000 generator, and have used it out in the bush on my 97 f150(5.4) and it doesn't even sound like it takes it to half throttle. I assume you'd have the same block heater.

 

Look at the tag on the end of the cord. I't about 100 watts if that. All it is is a freeze plug heater. The hot water rises which circulates the water.

You only need an hour or two in the garage, but better to keep it plugged in if the truck is outside in the wind. It would be less than $10 a month if you had it plugged in all day for the whole month. What would that be, 25 cents a night.

 

no kidding huh? 100 watts... I'll check into this further to see what it is rated at.

Thanks for the help!
--Justin

 

HI!... When I replaced my stock block heater, it had 750W stamped on it. It also always made a funny noise while it was plugged in.

 

I'm thinking 750 watts would heat an engine to operating temp, and if parked in a garage might do a nice job in heating the whole garage.

 

Ok, I did a search, you could be right.

Plug it in

"Q. How much does it cost to use?"
"A. A major engine heater manufacturers recommend that freeze plug heaters be sized at approximately 150 watts per liter of engine size. A 2.3 liter/4cylinder engine would cost about 3.1 cents an hour to operate. A 5 liter/8 cylinder engine would cost about 6.7 cents an hour."


thedieselstop

"The only con is the cost of electricity. You are burning the equivalent of ten 100-watt light bulbs. [Some have stated they have the 1500-watt version, but I'm prety sure that those who have actually crawled under the truck and read the writting on the heater reported it was 1,000 watts.]"


Time needed to pre heat an engine block

"The car was a Ford Crown Victoria w/4.6L engine, the engine heater was an "in-line" type made by Pinedale Products of Chalk River ON. It is rated at 600 watts and circulates coolant at about 1 gal./min."

 

600 Watts according to the engine block heater option for a 2003 5.4L equipped F-150. It also has a 11OV AC electric heating element.

I can tell mine is plugged in when I hear it buzzing. Also: I left it plugged in one day when the temp started near zero. When I went out to start it that evening, it was 35 degrees and the coolant temp gauge was already above the cold mark.

 

This is what makes it bizarre...I can leave mine plugged in a whole day, even if it is around 32 degrees and the engine temp is still below the cold mark.

hmm...

Well thanks for the replies, and thanks greencrew for the links...I'll check those out later today.

--Justin