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Dave 1 · 01-07-2017, 08:55 AM

Good morning all,
This is my first foray into the winter north of the Mason Dixon line. Not liking it either. Please give me some direction regarding the block heater on a 450 Cummins in an 08 Mountain Aire. I have found a receptacle and a electrical cord in the engine compartment and would guess that this is the block heater hook up. Have looked in my manual with no luck so am putting this out there to the folks that know. There is also a switch forward above the dash labeled block heater so by plugging in the cord aft and switching the block heater switch on will that do the trick. They are forecasting teens this evening so would surely appreciate some feedback today if possible. Thanks in advance.

palehorse89 · 01-07-2017, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave 1

Good morning all,
This is my first foray into the winter north of the Mason Dixon line. Not liking it either. Please give me some direction regarding the block heater on a 450 Cummins in an 08 Mountain Aire. I have found a receptacle and a electrical cord in the engine compartment and would guess that this is the block heater hook up. Have looked in my manual with no luck so am putting this out there to the folks that know. There is also a switch forward above the dash labeled block heater so by plugging in the cord aft and switching the block heater switch on will that do the trick. They are forecasting teens this evening so would surely appreciate some feedback today if possible. Thanks in advance.

Yes, you will have to be on shore power or the generator running to supply 120v AC to operate it..........

**pasdad1** · 01-07-2017, 09:04 AM

Are you getting ready to fire up the engine and leave tomorrow?

If you are staying put, no need to warm the engine.

MisterT · 01-07-2017, 09:06 AM

I would think that the block heater will only work if you are on Shore Power or your Generator... having said that, unless you are parked for months at a time with continuous below freezing temps, you probably don't really 'have' to use the block heater.

We are in the NC mountains and have had many continuous days of very low temps, teens and single digits sometimes, but I've never had any issue cranking the engine every week or so. We had 5 1/2" of snow overnight, and single digit temps overnight, and was no problem to crank the engine today.

if I were parked for months in low temps, I would use the block heater the day before I was prepared to leave - no need for it other than that.

Kiawah · 01-07-2017, 10:04 AM

Typically would only use the block heater if the temps are below freezing, and you are getting ready to start the engine to go somewhere. You'd need to be plugged into shorepower or generator, or the heaters won't have power. The colder the temp is, the longer the heater should be plugged in prior to starting.

Your plug or manual should have guidelines, but if you can't find anything I'd do at least 2-3 hrs if below freezing, maybe 4-5 hrs minimum if temps are below 20.

Don't leave the heaters on all the time, you'll have a huge electric bill, and be sure to turn off the heaters when the engine is started.

Bigd9 · 01-07-2017, 10:14 AM

On our coach the engine is directly over the engine. If I turn the block heater on before we go to bed, the heat from the engine warms the bed a little!

Dave 1 · 01-08-2017, 08:24 AM

Thanks to all that responded. I understand the block heater concept, that was not the question. I really just wanted to make sure that the receptacle and plug that I was looking at is the electrical source for the block heater. But again thanks to all that responded. Great group with so many knowledgeable folks.