tractor heater kWh usage

Anonymous-0 · Jan 17, 2014

Is there a good way to estimate the usage of electricity of a tractor block heater

Eldon (WA) · Jan 17, 2014

(quoted from post at 23:27:13 01/16/14) Is there a good way to estimate the usage of electricity of a tractor block heater

Most block heaters are around 1500 watts, or 1.5 kw. If you pay 8 cents a kw for electricity it will cost you 12 cents an hour to have it plugged in.

Bob · Jan 17, 2014

"Most block heaters are around 1500 watts, or 1.5 kw."

REALLY???

1500 Watts isn"t uncommon for a tank heater/circulation heater.

It is RATHER uncommon for a block heater in something smaller than, say, 14 liter Cummins!

You"d be surprised how many tractor block heaters are in the 400 to 750 Watt range.

1000 Watts is about the upper limit, except for some really BIG engines.

(Before posting this, I perused the Zerostart catalog, to verify my thoughts.)

C.R. · Jan 17, 2014

shouldnt you be able to measure the resistance and be able to figure out the poewr usage? I do not recall the formula,but if you have a decent ohm meter that would give you one part of the equasion,I would think its a 120 volt powerd heater. I wish I could remember the formula the math wouldnt be to hard Im sure someone with a better knowlege of ohms law could help

DoubleR · Jan 17, 2014

I just put a radiator hose heater in, it was 650 watts.
The bigger heaters were 1,000 watts I looked at.
My livestock tank heater is a 1000watts. That kept 100 gallons warm last week in below zero weather. Although the tank is in the barn. That heater cost me about 25 bucks a month to operate in a cold winter.

rabbit-1 · Jan 17, 2014

Most in-block heaters I have dealt with are in the area of 400 to 500 watts. Cost would be 5 to 6 cents per hour assuming 12 cents per KWH. Tank heaters and lower radiator tube heaters are usually heavier, would cost more. In the neighborhood of 12 to 18 cents per hour.

Dick2 · Jan 17, 2014

Should be stamped or printed on the heater how many watts it uses. Might need a magnifying glass to read it.

Harold Hubbard · Jan 17, 2014

Just got my electric bill last week. Tractor was plugged in at the sugarhouse off and on through December, nothing else was used there except lights for a few minutes occasionally. 150 KWH @ $.175.

nybadlybent · Jan 17, 2014

Cheaper than a smartphone and much handier in the cold weather.

JDemaris · Jan 17, 2014

Block heaters run the range from 150 watts up to 20,000 watts. Some run 100% of the time and some have thermostats and only come on at a certain temp. Need more info to calculate cost of use.

old-9 · Jan 17, 2014

Yes , as below need wattage and hours used,also cost of electricity. Or buy one of these and let us know how it works. joe
Untitled URL Link

Indiana Ken · Jan 17, 2014

(quoted from post at 03:14:57 01/17/14) shouldnt you be able to measure the resistance and be able to figure out the poewr usage? I do not recall the formula,but if you have a decent ohm meter that would give you one part of the equasion,I would think its a 120 volt powerd heater. I wish I could remember the formula the math wouldnt be to hard Im sure someone with a better knowlege of ohms law could help

The formula would be: V/R = I and V x I = Watts

However, in this case you would be measuring the resistance when the heating element is cold. You want the resistance when the heating element is at operating temperature. Using the cold resistance would over estimate the power usage.

Jonaspear · Jan 17, 2014

I plugged my into a Kill-o-watt meter because I had the same question, JD5105, heater was 800 watts.

notjustair · Jan 17, 2014

My welch plug heater in my loader tractor is 400 watts. We're not talking about a little utility tractor. It heats it up nice and is fast.

tractor heater kWh usage

Anonymous-0

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Eldon (WA)

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DoubleR

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