How long is to long.

JayinNY · Jan 22, 2011

I plug my tractor in at 8:00 and come back a 3 to use it, its a lower rad hose heater. I never have had a problem with them, but was wondering if its ok to leave it pluged in that long? How about over night? The hose heater dosent seem to work as good as the block heater, but its better than nothing.

just another old geezer · Jan 22, 2011

in the cold here, I plug the spreader tractor in when I get back from the field and it stays pluged in until the next day. I was told it takes less energy to keep it warm than to re warm it.

VicS · Jan 22, 2011

You may be right but I thought the heater pulled 800 watt all the time it is plugged in. If I'm wrong there is no use using a timer. I have a timer on my truck that turns on at 3 and off at 8 so it will always start to go to the coffee shop at 6. Vic

old · Jan 22, 2011

Back when I was driving truck I would plug it in when I got home, unplug it the next morning and go. That way it never got cold and was always ready to go when ever I needed it to

Janicholson · Jan 22, 2011

Not true. The heat loss is constant and depends on the difference in temp between the hot thing (engine block) and the cold thing (air). If it starts reliably with 3 hours of heater, it saves 21 hours of 800 watts. Some have thermostats in them that use less total watt hrs when it is warm already, but the heater will likely be on 60% of the time in 0 degree weather (or more). The only reason to keep them ready to run is if the need is on demand and not at a specific time.
I would throw a packing quilt over the hood and down the sides to keep in the heat to lower the cost. Jim

MNGB · Jan 22, 2011

Hose heaters block heaters are on all the time and draw the wattage they are rated at. There is no problem leaving them on 24 hrs and the electric company likes its, I also use a timer on my heaters works good most of the time how ever these past days when the day time temps never got above 0 and nite temps are down to -20*F then being plugged in all the time is called for.
GB in MN

kyhayman · Jan 23, 2011

Mine stay plugged in all the time if its below freezing, and have since at least the mid 1980s. I know their is a fire hazard but thats covered by insurance. A bent pushrod from too much ether isnt.

John730D · Jan 23, 2011

My semi has an automatic one. Kicks on when cold, off when temp reached. I leave it plugged in all the time the truck isn't running. I think you could find a thermostatic controlled heater for your tractor.

How long is to long.

JayinNY

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just another old geezer

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VicS

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old

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Janicholson

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MNGB

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kyhayman

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John730D

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