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#1
11-13-2007, 03:45 PM
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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.
 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
__________________
'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means '99 Ford Escort - good MPG 
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#3
11-13-2007, 03:51 PM
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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.
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 ~Michael S.~ Past cars: 1986 300SDL 1987 300SDL 1982 240D 1982 300SD Current: 1987 300SDL
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#4
11-13-2007, 04:11 PM
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Exactly. Don't worry about it. Water isn't that good of a conductor, salt water is though.
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#5
11-13-2007, 04:38 PM
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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.
__________________
Dale http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...MG_2277sig.jpg 1990 300D 2.5 Turbo -155k 2000 E430 - 103k 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel 4x4 - 11k 2014 VW Passat TDI SE - 7k Bro's Diesel 2006 E320 CDI - 128k Pop's Benz Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel
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#6
11-13-2007, 04:43 PM
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I have mine under the hood. Stays dry that way, and no crawling around. Have to open the hood though to unplug.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K
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#7
11-13-2007, 04:45 PM
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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...
__________________
Ich liebe meine Autos! 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday... 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage. 2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
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#8
11-13-2007, 07:52 PM
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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
__________________
'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means '99 Ford Escort - good MPG
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#9
11-13-2007, 07:58 PM
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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.
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#11
11-13-2007, 09:07 PM
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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
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616... 1) Not much power 2) Even less power 3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast. 80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
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#12
11-13-2007, 10:48 PM
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I just plug it in and let it hang, never got shocked!
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200
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#13
11-14-2007, 09:03 AM
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If it's warm enough to rain, what do you need the block heater for?
__________________
Mike 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 270K 1960 Ford F250 62K 1990 Mazda Miata 156k The thing is Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.
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#14
11-14-2007, 09:27 AM
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Quote:
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#15
11-14-2007, 10:07 AM
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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).
__________________
1979 240D w/4 Speed Manual, Light Blue Estimated 225-275K Miles - "Lil' Chugs"
Sold but fondly remembered: 1981 300TD Turbo Tan 235K miles, 1983 300SD Astral Silver 224K miles
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