Plugging-in during winter
 

What exactly does plugging-in the truck during winter accomplish, and how does it work ?

Most trucks have an engine block heater that when plugged in keeps the oil at a temperature that allows the engine to turn over and start easier in colder weather.

Easier starts, a 99% chance the truck will start. It's the same reason people plug in their cars, and pickups. Faster heat, less wear from a cold start, better oil flow.

It uses a block heater, or tank heater, to warm up the coolant, with a element. Typically take between 1000-1500 Watts of electricity to use.

it keeps the water around the block warm.

I think it does NOTHING for the oil.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

Up in the northern states where it gets plenty cold in the winter, you don't have a prayer of starting the truck without plugging it in.

I have a Detroit 60 and the heater looks pretty big. Is there also an electric pump inside there to circulate the water?

I have a Rigmaster APU and unless there is a load put on the engine it doesn't put out as much heat as it could. They recommend using the block heater all the time in the winter for the load.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

I live in the north myself ( northern Canada )....it's going to be -14C here tomorrow, and progressively colder as the week wears on. However, I've never had to plug in my car, and was curious to know how the plug-in system works in trucks.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

Your an impostor, a fake Canadian! :roll:

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

I'm not quite sure what to make of that statement of yours....care to elaborate ?

no pump on the heat element, it just perculates, heat rises. just changed mine out. 1500 watt. on the detroit engine it is located in the top of the oil cooler. it does not have any type thermostatic control. it's only on or off. for extremely cold envirnoments there are oil heaters also.