Rain hazard at block heater cord connection?
 

I've started to use my block (actually lower rad hose) heater the last few nights, and it suddenly dawned on me that the 115V plug to my extension cord is going to get soaked when it rains.:eek: I have it sort of tucked under the bumper, but I'm sure it will still get wet.

What do you guys do about this? Wrap with plastic/duct tape?

Thanks,


Bert

I use a plastic bag tied by itself around the connection. Needs renewing every coupla days but I get more than I can use from the market.

This is going to sound dangerous... but it's nothing to worry about. Just water moistening it isn't really dangerous as long as the connection is good and tight.

If it's in a position where it would be standing in a pool of water, that's very dangerous. But... water isn't actually that good of a conductor, and just letting it trickle/rain on it shouldn't hurt anything. Just elevate it up off the ground where it won't puddle.

Exactly. Don't worry about it. Water isn't that good of a conductor, salt water is though.

It would also be a good idea to have it plugged into a ground-fault interrupt protected outlet or circuit if you don't already. If anything were to short to ground, the GFI would trip.

Just don't let it sit in a puddle and you'll be fine.

I have mine under the hood. Stays dry that way, and no crawling around. Have to open the hood though to unplug.

As long as its not in a pool of water, it should be fine... Water has a high resistance and will actually boil itself away...

Thanks for all the replies everybody. It's secured up under the bumper with about 4 tie-wraps...........no way it can sit in a puddle so I'll stop worrying about it.

Thanks again,

Bert

Thats what I did, tie wrapped it to the tow hook. Have never had any issues. Just put the cap back on the plug before driving...keeps road grime out.

Mine is in the garage. That eliminates all the troubles.

When I use the block heater & oil pan heater, I open the hood and plug them into the ext, cord. close the hood down to the first click, and then plug the cord into the source.

I don`t like to be standing on wet ground with a live wire in my hands.

I know, it doesn`t get cold in Calif. why do I need a block heater?
But in Tahoe it`s been in the 20`s and Truckie already in the teens.
I spend time in Carson City, Nv. also, gets into the low numbers.

Charlie

I just plug it in and let it hang, never got shocked!:D

If it's warm enough to rain, what do you need the block heater for?:cool:

X2.

I don't know about flounder, but this time of year, personally I just like to get in the habit of plugging it in. The weather is changing daily, so I don't want to let it sit some night when it actually gets cold, though in my case, I would probably be ok as my car starts ok in the cold...

My old 300TD on the other hand needed to be plugged in under 40 degrees! That's actually probably the reason I am religious about it now. If you didn't plug it in, you were either in for 5-10 minutes of working to get it started (if it was 30+), or you weren't going anywhere for about 3 hours after you plugged it in and let the block heater do its job (if it was under 30).