First time block heater use

[Sidewinded_idi]

with the temps dropping considerably I realized my glow plugs needed replacing, I ordered 8 beru plugs but they’re a week out. I plugged in the block heater tonight to test it out for morning use and had a question. I’ve never used it before and when plugged in it makes a sizzling sound like you dropped something hot into a pale of water. I assume it’s the heating element but is the sound normal?

 

[Macrobb]

I... think the sound you are talking about is normal. It sounds like an electric hot water heater heating up.

 

[pelky350]

Mine makes that sound too, it's not really loud but noticeable

 

[KZF250]

If all the street lights dim when you plug it in...you're good.

 

[snicklas]

Normal sounds. The one in my 6.0 does the same thing.....

A tip, if you find you need to replace the plug..... I’ve done this on all the block heaters that have needed new plugs.

When I had my Excursion parked outside, the cord I plugged into was plugged into a non-GFI outlet in the garage (since I didn’t want to have to worry about the outlet popping is someone sneezed near the truck). I got home one evening, plugged the cord in and went inside. Came out the next morning to temperatures in the 20’s F, turned the key and realized the WTS cycle was taking to long..... S**T...... Got the truck started, went inside and found the drop cord had been accidentally unplugged. I thought about getting a drop cord with a “pilot light” but they are expensive. Doing more research I found this:

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https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton...Dead-Front-Plug-Clear-R50-515PV-LIT/205165460

This replacement plug has a light inside the plug that shows power when it’s plugged in. So now no matter where it’s plugged in I have a light, instead of just the drop cord that has a light. This has saved me a couple times......

 

[mu2bdriver]

Mine did the same thing also when it was plugged in. I also set it up on a timer when I had planned trips because it draws a lot of watts.


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[steelheadguy]

mine sizzles also. The wire gets warm to the touch too.

When I first bought my truck it was cold and needed to be plugged in. In the morning I went to start it and she still wouldnt start. So I go to pop the hood and
BZZZZZZZZ!!!
The old wire had shorted to the truck somewhere and shocked the hell out of me when I grabbed the hood.
So anyone with a pacemaker be careful!

 

[BrianX128]

I got something for 15 dollars at Wal-Mart that you plug the block heater wire into one end extension cord on the other and it has a wireless key fob that turns it on or off with a big red led I can see from the house.

Anything colder then 20 and I'll let it sizzle for two hours before I leave if I can. One hour does nothing. Truck doesn't really care for starting either way, I just enjoy the quick heat. The random below 0 weeks we have in western pa aren't as bad if you have heat quicker.

 

[OLDBULL8]

That block heater is 1000 watts or around ~9 Amps. use the Shortest extension cord possible with a 16 AWG cord, a 14 or 12 AWG for anything over a 50 ft cord. The extension cord should never got Hot, a warm cord is at it's limit. A 30 year old truck cord can get hard and the insulation could be cracking, best to replace it.

 

[79jasper]

Yeah, the block heater cords are cheap insurance.

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[Sidewinded_idi]

Thanks for all the tips guys

 

[IDIBRONCO]

A lot of times, you can hear a slight "snap" as you plug it in to the extension cord. That too, is normal.