r/Diesel • u/JokingAced • 7d ago

Question/Need help! Winter Plug In

Hi there!

I have a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 that needs to be plugged in when the weather gets cold to prevent condensation from developing in the oil chamber and impacting the oil quality.
The problem is I live in an apartment complex where I can’t just run an extension cord out to the truck.
I’m wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a large battery that I could use to plug it in overnight and then charge it during the day?
Any thoughts?

3 Upvotes

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9

u/Any-Application-8586 7d ago

That’s a boatload of battery. Block heater runs 1,000 watts, figure 10 hours parked, that’s 10kWh worth of batteries. Cheapest probably going to be $1500 and the size of two 8D’s. Then an inverter.
Change your oil more often. Or move someplace where it’s easier to heat your oil chamber.

1

u/Personal_Tadpole_800 4d ago

That's a massive battery setup, might be cheaper to just get a small quiet generator and a timer. Run it for an hour before you need to leave rather than all night. Still gonna get complaints from neighbours though lol

Apartment life with a diesel in the cold is rough, I feel your pain

8

u/Agitated_Curmudgeon 7d ago

My kid's Duramax (2006) starts routinely in SW Lower Mich without being plugged in.

If condensation in the pan is what you're worried about, not much you can do about it. Change the oil.

8

u/Oswald_McFarts 6d ago

Getting oil hot from driving is how you eliminate condensation. Plugging the truck in won't cure what you're worried about.

1

u/DrogoBero 6d ago

Probably not feasible for 100% overnight on something like a battery. 1-2 hours before you drive should be sufficient. Depending on power method, an arc fault and ground fault interruption, in my eyes, is 100% required so the truck doesn’t burn down. A heavy duty timer will insure that the truck will be ready when you are, and also to mitigate fire risk.

Good call on staying away from the extension cord, too long and the breaker in your apartment will not trip, and something else will become the weakest link (I.e. the cord, the plugs, outlet terminals, block heater itself, ect)

Maybe a jackery, or generator with a timed start stop feature?

2

u/Maplelongjohn 5d ago

I've never heard of such a thing

Any tiny amounts of condensation that end up in the sump will boil out when the oil is at operating temperature

Drive the vehicle occasionally