Does the block heater have an automatic shut off thing when it gets to a certain temperature? Ive had my truck for a year and a half and never had to plug it in but its goin down to 10* tonite so i figured i should since it started hard this morning. Thanks.

 

I think it gets to a certain temp and maintains it. I love my block heater, been plugging Goldie in the last couple of days.

 

plug her in

 

Im stationed in North Dakota and i plug it in almost 8 months a year here it get to a certain temp. maybe 115?? then maintains it. You should see a differance in how well it starts in the morning. I plug mine in whenever it start to drop below 32 out side.

 

Basic block heater elements have no regulation to them. Just like a toaster you turn them on and they reach a certain temperature. Factors such as coil wattage, amount of coolant and ambient temperature will determine how warm your coolant will get.
Externally mounted, circulating block heaters may have a regulating system built in.
I have an Espar on my truck. It is a type of circulating block heater, but it uses diesel fuel to make a fireball to heat the coolant. It heats my coolant to 170*F, then cuts out until it reaches 160*F and cuts back in. Excellent system, but I don't recommend something like this unless your in a cold climate, like me. Gets down to -40 over our winters.

 

thanks guys.