Block Heater Burned Out?

FlatbedCowboy · Jan 4, 2014

So I had some issues last winter on some hard starting and I thought I had those figured out. But here is another...

She starts easy enough when plugged in but starting yesterday each time I plug the block heater in, it flips a fuse in my house. I have tried different extension cords and different outlets and each time it flips a house fuse.
No fuses in the truck are out......

So does this mean the element is burned out on my block heater? Is this common? I mean the truck is 14 years old.....

If so is a factory replacement recommended or is there a nicer aftermarket one?

earlybroncoboy · Jan 4, 2014

Check the cord from the block heater

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powerstroke95 · Jan 4, 2014

Might be your cord that plugs into the oil cooler.

http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28143

^^treed

DEEZUZ · Jan 4, 2014

LMAO! I was JUST using my heater last night, worked great. Looked outside today, noticed light on post wasnt on, breaker tripped. Switch cords, trips again, cleaned plugs, dried them out, dielectric grease, pops everytime... mother****er!!!!

Im also thinking it may be just too cold and heater is pulling waaaay too many amps. Im going to warm the truck up a bit and retry.

FlatbedCowboy · Jan 4, 2014

CTC DEEZUL said:
LMAO! I was JUST using my heater last night, worked great. Looked outside today, noticed light on post wasnt on, breaker tripped. Switch cords, trips again, cleaned plugs, dried them out, dielectric grease, pops everytime... mother****er!!!!

Im also thinking it may be just too cold and heater is pulling waaaay too many amps. Im going to warm the truck up a bit and retry.

Freaking A! Exactly....

So it may just be the cord?

Ad8 PRODIGY · Jan 4, 2014

CTC DEEZUL said:
LMAO! I was JUST using my heater last night, worked great. Looked outside today, noticed light on post wasnt on, breaker tripped. Switch cords, trips again, cleaned plugs, dried them out, dielectric grease, pops everytime... mother****er!!!!

Im also thinking it may be just too cold and heater is pulling waaaay too many amps. Im going to warm the truck up a bit and retry.

I don't know how the block heater works(assuming its a simple element design..) but I don't see that being the problem...

I'm leaning more cord related on both accounts..

Dave · Jan 4, 2014

Yeah too cold isnt the problem.

Cords are the issue. The block heater isnt thermostatically controlled.

It just heats Its on or its off.

What gauge extension cords and length are you guys using?

Southmike · Jan 5, 2014

It is just like a hot water element.
visually a Copper u.
cord comes right off.

om them out..clean them up...
if not replace cord, heater or both.

not pricy items.
I would stay at 1000w to keep from having to find larger breakers.
1500 max

mandkole · Jan 5, 2014

150 feet of standard extension cord I suspect... that will trip a 15A breaker with the 1000w heater. New heater cords are readily available and they usually die at the plug at the heater.

FlatbedCowboy · Jan 5, 2014

Alright sweet. Looks like Ill be ordering myself a new heater cord and see if that works! :thumbsup:

FlatbedCowboy · Jan 16, 2014

Took me a bit but I finally crawled under there and put the new cord on. So far looks like the problem is solved!

To bad Dad borrowed the truck and broke my mirror off yesterday......... always something