Help with rewireing block heater plug end

[Garrett_halter93]

One of these: http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4460-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B000RGF29Q will tell you if it's drawing the right current; that usually indicates it's working.

Thank you my mechanics checking it with a ohm meter today while he has it

 

[Matrix37495]

No, the batteries are not connected to the heater.

I your block heaters have colored wires? That isn't fair!

I don't know if mine is OE but only the center wire (ground) is colored. The other two only have the black cord insulation.

 

[tanman_2006]

GM didn't help us with that. It was a crap shoot but I got it right first try.

 

[Garrett_halter93]

I don't know if mine is OE but only the center wire (ground) is colored. The other two only have the black cord insulation.

yeah the only wire that was colored is the ground( green) the other two are black which doesnt matter which prong the blacks go to because the round end fixes all that

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Another option is the reversed plug that big rigs use of their bumpers then you can adapt a cord to work or buy one with double male ends.

In my many years of trucking, I have yet to see a block-heater plug on any truck that required a male-ended cord to connect; which would be dangerous as a mad woman with a shotgun, by the way.

I agree that the block-heater plugs on big trucks that are rigid-mounted behind a neat little spring-loaded weather-proof cover are a much better option than a plain old cord just hanging over the bumper; however, these plugs have MALE prongs hiding behind the little doors and connect to the female end of a plain old 3-prong cord.


I have been gathering parts; and, plans are to install these stainless weather-proof plugs on all of our trucks, mounting them in the toe-kick area of the driver-side running-boards, just ahead of the forward edge of the door.

Thus, it would take someone mighty un-observant to neglect removing the cord before driving away.

I have never forgotten myself, but I have seen evidence around here where others have done so; thankfully, so far, the cord has always let go with no real damage.




As for connecting a replacement end on the existing cord, although both inner wires may be black, as a general rule, the COMMON will have ridges molded on the outer covering and I would be certain to connect things accordingly.


If one has a heater cord in good shape, it would be wise to add a short "jumper" cord and let the male end of this jumper cord take all of the wear and abuse.