I was unsure about how much it costs to operate the block heater on an '82 300D, so I bought a LaCrosse cost control meter. The heater draws about 450 watts, so plugging in for 2 hours plus = about 1KWH. Here in NH that means about $.22. Well worth it for an easy start even at 5 degrees. The meter cost way more than a year's worth of plugging in the heater.

What exactly is a "LaCross cost control meter"???

I've seen pictures of them. They tell you how much a load is drawing.

Of course, we could have informed you that your heater took short of 500W, meaning that two hours of running indeed takes about 1KWH.

You have some expensive electrical power there.

What I did with my Dodge-Cummins powered is I bought a 20amp Intermatic timer and set it up to come on about 2 hours before I needed the truck. The 20 amp timer is the one with a 3 prong plug. The smaller 2 prong timers won't cut it.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

My hose heater only draws about 345 watts during operation...so I can get nearly 3 hours of use for .10 cents! (1kwh = .10 around here)

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Look at lacrossetechnology.com - it is a model 3362

I am on Toledo Edsion which is either the 2nd or third highest electric utility in the country. Every month I drive an armored truck to the Edison office to pay my electric bill.

I like the idea of a HD timer switch. On these cold nights, I have been pluging mine in, in the evening and leave it on all night. A lot of wasted energy. Yesterday I drove boys wrestling team to New Castle for the Regional Division of the State Championship. We came close to getting knocked off, but we had one winner in the 172 # class and I guess he will take us to the State Championship next Saturday. It was my first time in the Chrysler HS Fieldhouse which is a monster. Largest HS Fieldhouse in the country. I also read while there, that of the 12 largest HS Fieldhouses in the US, 11 are in Indiana. The New Castle Fieldhouse seats just under 9500 and with standing room could accomadate 10,000 fans. Now back to the block heater. I left my 300 Turbo diesel out on the ice covered bus lot yesterday from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM. I forgot that I had an extension cord in the trunk and it was dark and I didn't see it. I think we had a high of about 15 degree F and at 8 PM it probably was close to 5 degree F. I glo'ed it once and half times and tried it, but it would go. Tried it for two glo's, still didn't make it. I tried it for 2 more glo's and I knew my battery was dying, so it was my last chance. Well on that try she did weakly fire along after about 20 seconds on the starter, but then the load eased up on the starter but I knew my engine would not make it alone, so I just kept the starter going. It was running, but just could not handle any more fuel, the throttle was dead. I think it was about a minute of that extra running of the starter, before it accepted more fuel and really lit up. It was very close to a no go and I didn't want to take a school bus home! So, now I know the cold weather limit on that car and that is good to know.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

It only costs about $1 to leave it plugged in all night.

do the block heaters in these old diesels have a thermostat? do they cycle off when the water gets to a certain temp? I suspect not, but just want to confirm...

Nope. They are always working when they are plugged in.

More like 40-50 cents.....about 35 cents for a hose heater.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

That's what i do as well. 2 hours is usually plenty.

Chris

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

yep mines set at 2 hours right now,but when it was down to the -10 to -20 i gave it 3 hours.

I also use a La Crosse Technology 3362U and it shows my block heater on my '84 300td using 430 watts. You can input the cost/KWH and it will estimate the total cost based on usage.



I use my X-10 system to turn the block heater on/off.