PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Help! Help! I'm being repressed by the man!!

rcounts · #10 12-12-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

Hmm... If you're desperate enough, you could you leave the key inside turned to ACC, lock the door with another key, use a cig lighter power inverter, and run the extension cord through the engine bay into the passenger compartment to plug it up at the cig lighter. Then, just get in, unplug the cord, start up, and go. Though, there's risk of draining your battery.

Innovative idea, BUT, if left overnight it would DEFINITELY drain the battery. A 750-1000 watt inverter is the miniumum that would be required to power a decent block heater, and running at full load an inverter that size will draw 7-10 amps. Your battery won't drive that load for too many hours without going dead.

HOWEVER, if you got a heavy-duty timer that will handle a 10 amp load, then you probably could run the inverter powering the block heater for an hour or two right before you have to start it up in the morning and still have plenty of juice to cycle the glow plugs and crank the engine. Of course then your alternator will be working pretty hard to recharge the battery and you'll have ot be sure you drive far enough to get it back up to full charge before its time to run the block heater again to start it up again the next morning...