Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigSix · 02-07-2016, 07:14 PM

Thinking about switching to a dedicated, hard wired, electric cab heater. Not one of those walmart deals that goes into the cigarette lighter. But one of the larger ones they sell on eBay that require wiring to the battery. Question is: will it keep the cab warm? I have a giant alternator to deal with the electrical load - just want to clean up all the heater core related components and plumbing.

Bullett · 02-07-2016, 08:56 PM

Waiting for reply as well. In my case, just need something for spring and fall chilly nights, my truck is put away in the winter. I suspect I would need to upgrade my alternator though

BigSix · 02-08-2016, 12:12 AM

The reviews on the actual products seem fishy so I hope someone has tried them. I have a couple friends who used to be over the road truckers and now just pull daily trucks. I could send out some texts to them but I was hoping someone could comment on how they do in pickup/car size chassis.

frankslagoon · 02-08-2016, 01:14 AM

I've tried the smaller 500 watt jobs, they are useless. I think ya need at least 1500 watts and probably more like 2500 watts, way more if it's 0 degrees out. Watts divided by volts equals amps. If I'm wrong here someboby jump in. That means for a 2000 watt heater ya need about 150 amps just for the heater, not to mention ignition, lights, sound system and so on.

**Palf70Step** · 02-08-2016, 06:27 AM

My daughter used one in here car in Kansas during the winter a few years ago and it did not have much effect. she still had to stay heavily bundled up and it sounded like it barely did the windshield.

patrickk1 · 02-08-2016, 10:44 AM

What do you have against using the standard method of having a heater core?

BigSix · 02-08-2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickk1

What do you have against using the standard method of having a heater core?

When I swapped in the diesel I capped the heater core lines and now I like the way it is and wish I could keep them capped and run an electric. Sounds like I will have to plumb in a heater core since the electrics are likely useless.

frankslagoon · 02-08-2016, 10:53 AM

He's just tryen to clean things up. but ya trade a couple 3/4 in hoses for a couple battery cables and still need the heating element. I used the original econo heater in my trk. all the stuff is inside the cab. no heater core box in the engine compartment. it's not as good a heater as the H/D but it still keeps me toasty at 10 degrees. below that it works but I gotta crack a wing window.

02-07-2016, 07:14 PM	#1
BigSix Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MD/VA/PA Or Inbetween Posts: 413	Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? Thinking about switching to a dedicated, hard wired, electric cab heater. Not one of those walmart deals that goes into the cigarette lighter. But one of the larger ones they sell on eBay that require wiring to the battery. Question is: will it keep the cab warm? I have a giant alternator to deal with the electrical load - just want to clean up all the heater core related components and plumbing.

02-07-2016, 08:56 PM	#2
Bullett Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Fairfield, Maine Posts: 302	Re: Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? Waiting for reply as well. In my case, just need something for spring and fall chilly nights, my truck is put away in the winter. I suspect I would need to upgrade my alternator though

02-08-2016, 12:12 AM	#3
BigSix Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MD/VA/PA Or Inbetween Posts: 413	Re: Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? The reviews on the actual products seem fishy so I hope someone has tried them. I have a couple friends who used to be over the road truckers and now just pull daily trucks. I could send out some texts to them but I was hoping someone could comment on how they do in pickup/car size chassis.

02-08-2016, 01:14 AM	#4
frankslagoon Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 537	Re: Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? I've tried the smaller 500 watt jobs, they are useless. I think ya need at least 1500 watts and probably more like 2500 watts, way more if it's 0 degrees out. Watts divided by volts equals amps. If I'm wrong here someboby jump in. That means for a 2000 watt heater ya need about 150 amps just for the heater, not to mention ignition, lights, sound system and so on.

02-08-2016, 06:27 AM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? My daughter used one in here car in Kansas during the winter a few years ago and it did not have much effect. she still had to stay heavily bundled up and it sounded like it barely did the windshield. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

02-08-2016, 10:44 AM	#6
patrickk1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Billerica, Ma Posts: 197	Re: Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? What do you have against using the standard method of having a heater core? __________________ - Patrick 1964 GMC pickup lwb ~ My newest build! 1937 Ford Coupe ~ Custom frame, LS1, quickchange 1950 Chevrolet 3100 ~ Bagged (Sold) 1931 Chrysler Roadster ~'32 Ford Frame, Channeled 8" (Originally a 60's show car) 1967 Chevelle ~ 454 Triple Black (Sold) 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS (Sold)

02-08-2016, 10:53 AM	#8
frankslagoon Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 537	Re: Electric Cab Heaters Worth Anything? He's just tryen to clean things up. but ya trade a couple 3/4 in hoses for a couple battery cables and still need the heating element. I used the original econo heater in my trk. all the stuff is inside the cab. no heater core box in the engine compartment. it's not as good a heater as the H/D but it still keeps me toasty at 10 degrees. below that it works but I gotta crack a wing window.



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