How big a CB for block heater?

[Haywire]

My BX complained this morning when I started it at 19 deg. It cranked right up, but knocked and smoked for a minute. I think I am going to get a block heater for it and need to run some AC out to the wood shed. Need some lights out there anyway. How much current do those heaters pull? Is 12/2 and a 20 amp breaker plenty?

Ian

 

[bp fick]

My BX complained this morning when I started it at 19 deg. It cranked right up, but knocked and smoked for a minute. I think I am going to get a block heater for it and need to run some AC out to the wood shed. Need some lights out there anyway. How much current do those heaters pull? Is 12/2 and a 20 amp breaker plenty?

Ian

Plenty. That will give you a circuit for other, high draw tools as well.

I assume you glowed your plugs? In 3 series of 8 Mississippis?

 

[kennyd]

My BX complained this morning when I started it at 19 deg. It cranked right up, but knocked and smoked for a minute. I think I am going to get a block heater for it and need to run some AC out to the wood shed. Need some lights out there anyway. How much current do those heaters pull? Is 12/2 and a 20 amp breaker plenty?

Ian

Your question cannot be answered properly without knowing how far the wood shed is from the service panel.

 

[canadakubota]

The block heater plugs into a standard 15 amp receptacle. the distance from house ( source ) is important. Voltage drop !!!!
If you are going to trench, then a conduit may work for you, extra wiring for maybe switching lights @ house and shed. A 8 circuit panel in the shed ?
Consider another building in the future? Workshop ?
If you are trenching maybe a 1/2" or 3/4" poly pipe for water ?

 

[Haywire]

I'll be running it from the barn, which has a 120A panel in it that someone contributed when I wired it (upgraded from a small 6 or 8 circuit panel). The outlet will be about 60 feet from that panel. The barn panel is fed from a 100A 220v breaker in the house panel via 4ga copper. House is about 50yds from the barn. I know, probably not code, but the barn was fed like that when I bought the house.

Ian

 

[bp fick]

Your question cannot be answered properly without knowing how far the wood shed is from the service panel.

True that! :thumbsup:

Block heaters vary in wattage, typically from 800-2000 watts.

 

[jas67]

The block heater in my B7610 draws 400 Watts (3.3A). It is likely the same for the BX.

 

[bp fick]

The heaters that are fit in a radiator hose will draw a bit more, as will the typical magnetic type oil pan heaters. Those that screw directly into a freeze plug type fitting generally draw a bit less. YMMV.

 

[jim442]

Hope that barn sub-panel ground is run properly-most are not. Should not be bonded to the main panel and have it's own ground rod as should the shed.

 

[Haywire]

Both. The 3 conductor feed cable is tied to the house panel ground and there is an additional solid copper grounding cable going to a rod at the barn.

Ian