Topic: Block heater wattage & amp draw!!!????

[kari]

Hi there.Does anybody know the wattage & amp draw of a block heater.I have a programmable timer that max's out at 1875w and 15a draw,and I don't want overload it with two vehicles hooked up to it.
Thanks  
Kari

[johngenx]

Most block heaters are 300-450W.  Be careful about what else is plugged into the circuit so that you don't pop the breaker in the house.  The timer can easily take the two block heaters.  The breaker on the circuit is probably 15A, so no worries about frying the timer.

BTW, if your circuit is only 115V, then you'll "only" have 1725W available, but no worries with two block heaters.  Three MB units (500W) would be pushing it, and you wouldn't be able to plug much else in.

[tpl]

As the block heater plug is a conventional plug like any other domestic small appliance then you know it must be less than 15 amps at 115v.  By law and regulation....
As you'll presumably be plugging it into an outside outlet, it will be on its own circuit or should be anyway

(Message edited by tpl on November 23, 2004)

[johngenx]

Yes, the block heater must be less than 1800W in order to be plugged into a conventional 15A circuit.  However, you can't plug ten of them in on the same circuit.

Household ciruits typically range from about 110V to 125V depending on the age of the outside lines and transformers, meaning some leeway in the wattage available on a 15A circuit.  But, the 1700-1800W range is pretty much it.

[kari]

Hey,thanks for the help guys.
Regards
kari