Power for block heater

[Bonanza]

all excellent advice.  Thank you!  There are many suggestions i'm going to be applying this winter/fall.  I have always run 10W-30 and I thought that would be ok.  The truck has always started fine in the cold, was 10 degrees last night but I haven't started the truck today, I guess I was just thinking since i have the heater, I might as well use it.  I guess if Donut hasn't used a block heater since, well close to when I was born, I should be ok.  I just replaced the thermostat beastie and ramcharger and put in a 50/50 mix when I replaced what I had lost due to draining.  Blazin, i'll give the headlight turn on a try too.  Vile, thanks for the dry gas tip.  Now, dry gas comes in....Malibu, are talking about plugging the truck into a reg. outside outlet and putting an inverter in the truck.  Running the heater will help warm the engine up faster?

[VileZambonie]

No he means using a 12V battery to 120VAC with an inverter. It's hardly worth it unless you find it difficult to warm up.

[Bonanza]

ok

[malibu795]

No he means using a 12V battery to 120VAC with an inverter. It's hardly worth it unless you find it difficult to warm up.

that the general idea

[Reinovator]

I know this may sound a little odd but how are you with 120AC wiring?
if your Ok with it find an outlet in your home, near where you park your rig.
kill the power to it pull the cover carefully remove the screws holding in the outlet and pull it out enough to see what is behind it.
 if there's no cement or rock work you may consider drilling a hole through the wall and mounting a external outlet they have kits at most hard ware stores to do this I have one of those kats heaters and they work great! but they do draw a lot of Amps.and use a good quality extention cord.

 Always Check with you local build department for regulations before doing this, They may have limits on outlets per circuit breakers. and remodeling.
I've done this before and it can work.

Good luck

[Donut]

That was my first thought, or just move the truck closer. 
The OP lives in a condo with no outside outlets, so I don't believe this was an option.

[heavychevy91]

Hey try hooking up your pre heater hose from your exhaust manifold to the air cleaner box also, it really made a difference on my truck. i think you can pick up a piece of hose for like $3

[Reinovator]

 You know A condo is still a private residence and the rules still apply. the only exceptions are. in addition dealing with building inspector. he needs to talk with the home owners association, and if it's a rental talk to the land lord. I worked with land lords before  and with home owners, condos association and in many instances this could be some thing over looked or can be changed.
 Don't sell the  guy short and please don't answer for him thank you. 

[Donut]

 

[VileZambonie]

Reinovator, read the part where he says

there is no way to run a stealth cord.  the parking is kinda far from my place and the cord would have to run across the lot

If he could just run an extension cord he wouldn't have asked for alternatives.

[Reinovator]

 Ok Heres the issue Jury rigging and Using equipment as designed are to different things I'm trying to explore an option in which Melt downs and excessive waste in time and energy are wasted. Modifying is what I do but.
I stay with in Safe and reasonable parameters. especially when it comes to working in a community environment as this case many Condo communities especially with this 'Save the whales' attitude we live in now. So who do you get a  Condo Community to except the Idea of out lets in or around a parking area? You back door it. I've established the Idea that a power source can be for the most part easily done may through an extension cord but the Idea has been thought?
 What about this  today we deal with hybrid and electric cars more and more why not take advantage of this thought and see what the options are?
I know this seems like a round about way to deal with an issue but if an outlet Simple can be established then maybe this community can though community effort, establish a pressidence, How do you do that? Use the band wagon to your advantage. take it and run with it. how many residences want some way or are looking in to buying a eletric car, but have now way to plug in, (I my self like the Idea but not with today Tech. it's not proven well enough and I prefer the feel of car being twisted through Horse power and internal combustion) are the condo owners willing to invest in this kind of an idea. with out looking at these avenues of investigation nothing can be done.

 Maybe this person doesn't want to look at this type of investigation and maybe he does, but has the idea ever been presented?
I've seen to many burned up, nice and not so nice cars. because someone didn't check options.

I may self am tired of being treated like I don't know anything by you Ville. and don't like it!
 When you make people think GOOD Ideas Come About.
 Not by shotting them down.
 you need to take a pill and stop being all powerful!
I pleased that you have all your degrees and certifications you had to do something to earn them and I'm very very happy because it helps or industry
keep good standards but experience has some advantages to.

and personally you need more thank you for the advise you have given me but. as of now I'm done with this forum have a good life and remove me from the this forum.


 

[Bonanza]

Thanks for all the ideas.  Hooking up an extension cord or installing a new outlet outside really is not an option.  Though I do own my condo, dealing with the assoc. is a real pain and frankly, not worth it.  My homeowners rep is a real space case.  Reinovator, thanks for your thoughts.  I am confindent with my elec. skills but hooking up an outside box really is not an option.  I'm actually hoping to sell this place next year, tried this year but you can imagine how that went so hopefully next winter i'll have a new place with an outlet right outside I can use.  Really the truck has no problems starting cold, I just figured since I had the heater, I might as well use it.  Everyone has posted very useful information and I appreciate it!  heavychevy, could you elaborate on... "hooking up your pre heater hose from your exhaust manifold to the air cleaner box".  I think I know what your talking about but?  At the bottom of the snorkel on the air cleaner box is an open hole.  That should have a hose running from it to the exhaust manifold.  Oh wait, I think I get it and no, there isn't a hose hooked up there.  You mean like a foil, flexible hose right?

[Bonanza]

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[Bonanza]

[84ramcharger]

I'd get that heat riser hose and make sure u have vacuum lines hooked up and working . I'd also recommend that jumper box idea in case you do run your battery down trying to get it to start . For myself when the colds snaps hit hard here I always warm it up in neutral and drive it after 5 mins , not hard but till she feels right . I've got a 1000 CCA bat in my ramcharger and have let it sit for a week in 40 below and have had her fire .
I'd make sure the choke is set right and your battery is good , get it load tested  .

I never sweat the cold days with my old stuff  9/10 times when it's cold I usually end up boosting the neighbors newer cars .