Block Heater How does it work?

I have never needed to use them since I always had a APU that was plumbed into the engine. I noticed it has a different kind of plug that turns sideways on one if I remember correctly. Can I plug that into the truck bunk area with an extension cord? If so why would they not just make a switch to kick it on instead of plugin?

 

They’re high draw - like 1500W.

 

If you're trying to power it with the inverter your batteries might last 10 minutes if you're lucky.

One sideways prong on a household style outlet indicates a 20 amp circuit.

 

So if I need it on the road I could buy a little 2000 W or higher generator? How long does it take to warm up oil?

 

They generally heat the coolant. They make heating elements for the oil, but it would be part of a arctic package.
How long it takes depends on outside temp,how long truck has been off etc.

 

Mine goes into the coolant manifold behind the water pump. A 2000w generator might do it - there’s no start up capacitor draw like a microwave.

In winter below 30 degrees, mine will warm the block to 75 degrees after about 3 hours I guess.

So it doesn’t heat the oil, just the coolant through the engine/radiator.

They need to be immersed and will burn out quickly if you run the engine and it hits an air pocket. I leave mine off for a minute or two before start up.

Check all your wiring carefully - don’t want to electrify your truck!

 

Block heater won't heat oil, just coolant. Oil pan heater will warm the oil. Unless you're up in the northern parts of Canada you shouldn't have an issue with cold oil that couldn't be handled by just running winter weight oils.

 

What is your goal. Diesel fuel freezes and becomes gel. The block heater keeps the block warm to prevent a slow or no start condition.From what I'm told it also keeps the oil from thicking thru the night.
The plug you mentioned above is to plug in the heater to the block while the engine is off.
Plugging the block heater to the invertor or pay will the battieres on the truck because of all the jucie it needs to be powered.
Depending on tempature and location in the country and amount of time the engine will be off. You may not need a block warmer plugged in. Some states and temptures you will be ok with antigel in the ranks. This is all I know about block heaters. I have never used mine.
Edit. If most plugs are close to the same. My grandad popped out one of his freeze plugs and it mounted in that whole some how.

 

I just read above the oil bit isn't true

 

Ok Thanks for clarifying that. I never have messed with them so just making sure I get how they work before ever trying it out in winter. I doubt I would ever really need to use it since I live in MO. I just wanted to know incase I had to use it at sometime.