Block heater cycle

Fritz Campbell · Dec 12, 2009

Is it recommended to cycle my block heater on and off if I'm not running the tractor every day? If I know I'm going to need the tractor, I plug the block heater in and set it to come on with a heavy duty timer a couple hours before I need it which works great. Just wondering what the experts say? Thanks!

Kansas Cockshutt · Dec 12, 2009

Well they make seven day timers, that will save you the electricity by not pre-heating the days the tractor will not be used. Or, if you are like me, something will come up and you will be glad that she is ready to go. It only costs you on the power bill.

Mike Groom · Dec 12, 2009

I'm not an expert,but I only plug my block heater in a couple of hours before I use it,I don't think you gain anything by cycling it off and on or leaving it plugged in all the time other than a larger electric bill.

JDemaris · Dec 12, 2009

Recommended by who and for what reason? I never heard that one. Cycling to keep the tractor warm, yes. To make the heater last longer? No. If you have a frost-plug heater with no thermostat it makes no sense to me. There are no components that need to be cycled to keep it in good shape.

If you have a tank heater, it has a built in thermostat. Again, I have no idea what cycling is supposed to do for longevity. It can sit for years and be fine. Installed on a tractor of sitting on the shelf in a box.

On my diesel plow truck, if snow is predicted the night before, I plug the heater into a timer so it comes on 5 in the morning. This way, by 8 it's set to go. Just saves me the extra expense of running it all night.

Catskill Pete · Dec 12, 2009

If you are using an aftermarket tank heater, Katz for instance, they use a "spring and ping pong ball" valve arrangement and can get sticky sometimes if they are not in use. So its a good idea to plug them in and operate them, However thats about once a year if not in use, if you are using them at all then its not an issue.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 12, 2009

On a block heater, I would just plug it in the night before the engine is needed and unplug it when not needed. Those tank type heaters use the thermosyphon principle. The heater gets the coolant hot to where it expands and then shuts off. They have check valves in each end so the coolant can flow only one way. The hot coolant expands and pushes into the engine. The cold coolant is drawn in by the hot coolant exiting the heater, and the cycle repeats.

Sparktrician · Dec 12, 2009

Just some general info. here....but a 1500 watt block heater will draw roughly 1.5kW, and at $.10 per kW= $.15 hour.

A 2000 watt heater will be about $.20 hour...

Not so much per hour....but over a couple months....$$$$$

Fritz Campbell · Dec 12, 2009

Much obliged fellas. I'll plug it in before I need it. Happy Holidays to everyone.

JDemaris · Dec 12, 2009

I would never leave a big tank heater plugged in all the time. And, some of mine are 2000 watt units. But, they have thermostats and do shut themselves off once they reach a certain temp. They will still use a lot of power over time, since the tractor just becomes a big automatic water heater. Especially if the tractor sits out in the wind.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 13, 2009

I used to run'em on a timer, but the barn cats would get all warm and cozy, then the thing would shut off, and the cat would freeze to the hood! Got tired of pullin dead frozen cats off'n the hood, so now I just run it all the time, cats jump off when I hit the start button!

Block heater cycle

Fritz Campbell

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Kansas Cockshutt

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Mike Groom

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JDemaris

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Catskill Pete

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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Sparktrician

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Fritz Campbell

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JDemaris

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Anonymous-0

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