2021 6.7 High Idle

[mattagc]

I use a “smart switch” from Meros. It’s set up to turn off after 3 hours once I turn it on. Not as sophisticated as the Badger, but it works. You can also set an on/ off time if you have a normal schedule.
Leaving it on all the time won’t hurt, just not efficient.

This is my other thought too; downfall for me is since I’m in the field often, I didn’t want something I needed to connect to WiFi and setup at each location and just need to worry about plugging it in.

 

[The Evil Twin]

This is my other thought too; downfall for me is since I’m in the field often, I didn’t want something I needed to connect to WiFi and setup at each location and just need to worry about plugging it in.

Good point. They do rely on WiFi.

 

[mattagc]

Good point. They do rely on WiFi.

Although, I wonder if the NOCO will charge the battery faster than the Starlink Mini drains it and I just leave that on while it’s plugged in. Haha

I had also looked at those temperature sensing cords for water pipe wrap, but they can’t handle the draw//turn on too high.

 

[MrFancypants]

https://a.co/d/1Nql28z

 

[mattagc]

https://a.co/d/1Nql28z

Yeah, something like this will work for just timer, but no temperature sensing.

Also, if you wanted something in on the truck itself. These little dongles are usually recommended at the outlet not at the end of an extension cord.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Although, I wonder if the NOCO will charge the battery faster than the Starlink Mini drains it and I just leave that on while it’s plugged in. Haha

I had also looked at those temperature sensing cords for water pipe wrap, but they can’t handle the draw//turn on too high.

This one would control based on ambient temperature. Temp setting down to -50°f. Set it to 20° or whatever you like and the switch will power your block heater until the ambient temp rises.

Temperature Controller ITC-308S

INKBIRD ITC-308S is a pre-wired digital temperature controller. Control refrigeration and heating equipment through dual relays. Easy to use and supports temperature calibration. Provides compressor delay protection and various alarm functions. The probe is easy to remove and replace.

www.inkbird.com

 

[mattagc]

This one would control based on ambient temperature. Temp setting down to -50°f. Set it to 20° or whatever you like and the switch will power your block heater until the ambient temp rises.

Temperature Controller ITC-308S

INKBIRD ITC-308S is a pre-wired digital temperature controller. Control refrigeration and heating equipment through dual relays. Easy to use and supports temperature calibration. Provides compressor delay protection and various alarm functions. The probe is easy to remove and replace.

www.inkbird.com

I actually looked at this one when I was hunting, especially due to the thought I could put the temperature probe right close to the block for accurate ambient, but it failed my ridiculous requirements for a block heater controller for two reasons.

One was the same as the other, a dislike of the dongle style where I wanted something that’s extension cord compatible and not recommended to be plugged directly into the wall, and two, was the lack of battery or memory. Whenever you unplug it, it looses your settings. In hindsight, not really sure if it would ever turn off in the winter either since the probe would always be cold.

So yeah, the PowerBadger is still the top pick for me, because I can program it to have the truck ready to go 2x a day based on my schedule, have it keep the block warm for a programmed duration, only turn on below certain temperatures, and adjust how long it comes on based upon the ambient temp (don’t need it on for 4-5hrs if it’ll only take 1 to warm it up). And then the memory aspect of it, so I only have to program it once every couple of years when the watch battery needs replacing.

Wire it up behind the bumper or grille, into my NOCO with the battery tender, and then it’s a single plug to maintain the battery and warm up the truck when I need it.

 

[Sludgemonkey44]

So question, can I plug the truck in all night or only a few hours before I need it?

So everyone else has great suggestions, but don’t overthink it. I use a simple digital clock timer that I found at Home Depot or Lowe’s in the Christmas section. I have mine set to run for 3 hours before I leave the house and I’ve never had a problem with it in 5 winters now. It was -17 this morning and it fired up immediately. The coolant temp shows in the 80’s when it’s fully heated.