power draw to plug in your truck

(sulmaxwell) · (sulmaxwell) **Join Date: Dec 2003** 02-24-2009, 6:28 PM

just got my hydro bill...THROUGH the roof...i can't figure out why...one thing may be that my truck was plugged in lots..an 03 2500 diesal..dodge...but really how much draw could that be???

(michridr69) · (michridr69) **Join Date: Dec 2008** 02-24-2009, 8:24 PM

a crap ton bro, u can buy i timer for ur outlet that u can set like 2 hours befor u start ur truck, thats what i did.

(westsiderippa) · (westsiderippa) **Join Date: Dec 2006** 02-24-2009, 8:36 PM

^^^^second that^^^^^

(99_slaunch) · (99_slaunch) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 02-24-2009, 9:03 PM

The draw is not that much from what I under stand. A guy on the cummins forum actually took the time to calculate how much per day and year it cost to leave a Dodge pluged in. I want to say it was $800.00 for the year plugged in 24 hrs a day. Timers are great no point in running the heater more than needed.

(rallyart) · (rallyart) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 02-24-2009, 9:44 PM

Block heater is normally not more than 800 watts, and often 400W. If you have an electric in car heater that could be another 1000W, but might be 1250W. It's really only a benefit if you are plugging it in when it's below -10C and like andy said, if it is on for about 2 hours before you start it that's all you need.
You can get an outside plug that cycles between 0 and -15 and then is on continuous below that, but is off above freezing. You can also get temp sensor plugs that go under the hood to plug into so it self regulates the block heater.

(Message edited by rallyart on February 24, 2009)

(mikeski) · (mikeski) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 02-24-2009, 10:53 PM

Watts X Hours X 1/1000 = kWh

kWh X $/kWh = $ cost

Assume 500watts, 24hours/day, 30days/month, $0.10/kWh

500 X 24 X 1/1000 X 30 X 0.10 = $36/month

(hype29) · (hype29) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 02-25-2009, 5:43 AM

sort of off subject, but what temp should they warm it up to? I ask because my plug end had a short in it, so I replaced the plug and now it seems that it is hotter than it used to be. it is warming it to 130* now. I don't know, but it seems hot to me

(rodmcinnis) · (rodmcinnis) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 02-26-2009, 10:40 AM

By chance was the thermostat in the plug end that you replaced?

If you are just making sure it doesn't freeze then 40 degrees would be enough.

If you are concerned about it starting on cold mornings then 65 degrees should be enough.

The only reason to have it at 130 would be if you are an emergency responder and need to be able to start and be at full power instantly. Good deal for fire trucks and ambulances.

(Message edited by rodmcinnis on February 26, 2009)