radiator heater - plugged in too long?

44trxfun · Dec 22, 2004

Through a little misunderstanding, my inline radiator heater was plugged in for several (4-6) hours. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I almost remember my dealer warning me not to leave it plugged in for more than 1-1.5 hours. Do any of you folks think I did any harm? Thanks.

normde2001 · Dec 22, 2004

Worst case could have been to boil your water and blow it out the radiator cap, then fry the heater. If you still had water, no harm, no foul.

Bob_K · Dec 22, 2004

almost remember my dealer warning me not to leave it plugged in for more than 1-1.5 hours.

For the most part it shouldnt have hurt a thing. Here in Wisconsin Car heaters are left in all night . Up to 12 hours at times.

tillerkiller · Dec 22, 2004

I picked up somewhere that after two hours your engine block will not get any hotter than it already is. This was for a pickup though (If'n I don't have my wires crossed). If the block heater was larger than would be prudent for the size of your engine, then maybe a boilover could occur?

Egon · Dec 22, 2004

The block heaters have a thermostat control and will maintain a constant temperature. Plug it in as long as you like - no harm - just power bill.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thcri · Dec 22, 2004

Yeah like Egon has it right, there is a thermostat in them to turn them off when they get too hot. I wouldn't worry about it at all. We use to leave them plugged in all night on our diesel trucks.

murph

44trxfun · Dec 22, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The block heaters have a thermostat control and will maintain a constant temperature.)</font>

My question was actually about an inline radiator heater, but I do appreciate the responses.

thcri · Dec 23, 2004

Most inlines that I have seen have a thermostat built in them just like block heaters. The heater itself has to be protected or you would burn it out also if left on too long.

murph

QueBota · Dec 23, 2004

I haven't seen a block heater with a thermostat. The ones I have seen are just a simple heating element like the one in an electric hot water heater. When plugged in and working properly the generate a constant heat output until unplugged.

Dave

RalphVa · Dec 23, 2004

I doubt they have thermostats. What happens is that heat losses equal to heat input by these small heaters after an hour or so.

I'd put it on a timer. Just have it come on about an hour before you need it.

Ralph