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.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

Yeah it is basically the same as in a car. Diesel fuel doesn't ignite as well in the cold though, and the massive engine is really hard to crank if it is cold.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

Yup, I was wondering that too. The coldest winter I ever spent was one summer in Edmonton....

There reason you plug this stuff in during the Winter, is that you just might get only once chance to start it. And you want all of your ducks in order before you do that.

Also, serviced and cleaned batteries.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

I didn't want to get drawn into this, but I guess if you're doubting my "Canadianness", then I should elaborate why I've never needed to plug-in my car : it's because the house i live in has a heated garage. I moved to Edmonton from Vancouver about 2 years ago, and it never got cold enough there to plug in my car.

As for trucks, like I've said before, this will be my first winter of truck-driving, since I'm new to this profession. I work for Cascade Carriers ( a Mullen group company ), hauling cement, sand & flyash from loadpoints in Edmonton, Exshaw, Bruderheim, and Sundance mine ( in case you don't know where that is, it's about 50 minutes north of Drayton Valley, in the Paul Band reserve ).

If you wish to remain a doubting thomas, then that's your prerogative. What you choose to believe is your right, and it doesn't change the facts on the ground.

Have a nice day ( albeit a cold one !!! )

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

Ok, that proves he is a Canadian.

He has both an inferiority complex and a compulsion to apologize.

O.k.

You moved from one of the warmest climates in north America, to the north 2 years ago and never pluged in a car or truck...

I live in the north myself ( northern Canada ).... Your words...

Your statment should have said, I just moved to the north, and I'm about to find out how much I have to learn about the cold... he he he :wink:

Curently -27 with a wind.... My truck has been running all week, 24/7 burrr :shock:

One thing you should KNOW, if your running in snow, paticulary deep cold snow... YOU WILL NOT HAVE BRAKES !!!!

The snow will line the brake drums and turn to ice, this has happened to me several times, 90 p.s.i. nothing :shock:

You must melt the brakes every 20 min. or so. 5 p.s.i. will do, and watch for froze up brakes in the morning, flat spots happen :oops:

Pack warm gear, and put it on BEFORE you get cold !

Know how to chain up within 5 min. Thats all it should take.

Grease up your cam locks so they don't freeze, take the sprayer off your wd-40 and jam the can into your door locks after washing... blah blah

And here I thought FT St John was right next to Fort Langley.

I am Fort challenged.

Re: Plugging-in during winter
 

ROTF, that's funny I don't care who you are.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: