Maggie’s I need a plug in timer

[LeviBerg]

Well guys I have an odd ball question, but first a liitle info. I live in Southern Ontario and drive a Cummins Dodge. In the winter the temperature hits -20*C pretty regularly. Now normally on the farm we just plug our equipment in for a few hours before we use it, but as a volunteer firefighter, I need to start my truck and take off.

This leads to my question: Has anyone ever seen a timer that you can program to come on for X amount of time, then shut off for Y amount of time and come back on for X time again etc? The reason I ask is because it's fairly expensive to run a block heater all night and this seems to be about the best solution to me.

Thanks,
Levi

 

[ColbyLang]

Re: I need a plug in timer

Yup, swimming pools and sprinkler systems run on them all the time. You can set the timer to turn on and off at different intervals 7 days a week

 

[hankpac]

Re: I need a plug in timer

I live in the mountains of Eastern Oregon at 5,000 ft. It gets pretty cold here, well into the sub-zero temps for long periods. I really don't see that much expense in plugging my rig in over night. I do it all the time. I think it is worth it to have a quick start, and a clear windshield. The block heater pulls pretty good load, too, so make sure the timer has the capacity to take that load.

 

[High Binder]

Re: I need a plug in timer

These heaters tend to pull a lot of watts, around 1100 or roughly what a higher powered microwave will pull. So you need a pretty good timer rated for more amps than your average household unit as well as a 10/12 gauge extension cord depending on how far you're gong with it. The typical household units will burn up and either stop working or burn your house down.

 

[fern]

Re: I need a plug in timer

They make them for the people who keep reef tanks. They work the lights you might be able to find one at pet smart or just order online. I had them when I had a 250 gal reef tank easy to set up

 

[338RUM runner]

Re: I need a plug in timer

Grainger.com.....Search.. Timer

 

[LeviBerg]

Re: I need a plug in timer

Awesome, thanks guys.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: I need a plug in timer

Here in Manitoba, we have two devices that are for your application. The first one is:
Intelligent Parking Lot Controller and the second one is: SaskPower's Parking Lot Controller Program . I tried to find something for what I've seen here in Manitoba, but could not. Though outside, in the parking lots, are these outlets with the blinking LED's on them. Flashing back and forth. It was explained to me, that they switch back and forth for about 4-8 seconds, depending on the temperature. So with two vehicles plugged in, they are drawing 50% of the power.

Seem to be quite prevalent around here. Might be what you're looking for. Keep searching, you might end up being luckier than I was.

 

[ggmanning]

Re: I need a plug in timer

I bought one at Lowes Hardware. Match the amperage you need and the heater coil lead plugs into the timer. Set it to come on just long enough to give you a good start in the morning. You'll have to play with the time to see what suits your location. My newer diesel never needs one in my location but the old 7.3 Powerstroke I had needed a few hours when temps went in the teens F*. Mine was made for a pond fountain system.

 

[JKaiser]

Re: I need a plug in timer

Wire this inline with the recepticle.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_160601-251-WH40D...5325&rpp=16

Works like a champ!

 

[LeviBerg]

Re: I need a plug in timer

How about that. Even better.

 

[Skully1971]

Re: I need a plug in timer

There is a problem with the timer idea, while sound, it won't work in those temps. You are going to need to keep the engine as warm as possible, NOT cycling it. If you get a call you are going to run the hell out of it, and if its cold, you will damage it! I won't go into all the BS science, but I will tell you I am a Cummins mechanic for the last 30 years, and a fire fighter the last 13.

 

[LeviBerg]

Re: I need a plug in timer

Hmm I see. I was hoping to keep it close enough to warm by having it cycle on a couple times an hour. Worst case I can just plug it in all night I suppose.

 

[High Binder]

Re: I need a plug in timer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LeviBerg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hmm I see. I was hoping to keep it close enough to warm by having it cycle on a couple times an hour. Worst case I can just plug it in all night I suppose. </div></div>

You'll be just fine doing that (I designed HEUI diesel injectors and everything else diesel for years and depending on the year of your truck, there's some of my work in there).

 

[vdub]

Re: I need a plug in timer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JJK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wire this inline with the recepticle.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_160601-251-WH40D...5325&rpp=16

Works like a champ! </div></div>

The utility I work for uses a timer like this one to control the exhaust systems for the battery room in our substation control houses.

 

[Skully1971]

Re: I need a plug in timer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LeviBerg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hmm I see. I was hoping to keep it close enough to warm by having it cycle on a couple times an hour. Worst case I can just plug it in all night I suppose. </div></div>

You'll be just fine doing that (I designed HEUI diesel injectors and everything else diesel for years and depending on the year of your truck, there's some of my work in there). </div></div>

So your the SOB!, remind me to kick you ass if we ever meet

. HEUI in the Navistar, and CAT engines have caused me more than my fair share of headaches. The biggest problem is people don't want to change their oil, and think you've full of it when you tell them it'll fix their performance issues.

As for our friend in Canada, I don't believe cycling the block heater in -20C will help. That's -4 Farenheit, I too live in Texas, and have plugged my Dodge/Cummins in, in just 38F degrees, and the best it could do was about 80F degrees in the block. Now add a cycle with time to cool in 4 below temps, Y'all see my point?