Several years ago my main commuter beater in Juneau was a mildewed diesel
Rabbit LS.  With my regular schedule I would plug the block heater in just
before I started the coffee in the morning.  About an hour later the little
beast was ready to go.  I think leaving the heater plugged in round the
clock is a waste of electricity unless you have a pressing need to hop in
the vehicle and go on a moments notice.

Of course, compared to places like Fairbanks and North Dakota Juneau is just
plain balmy in the dead of winter.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland the Road Buffalo'
In Houston where block heaters are unheard of.

on 12/6/02 11:00 PM, Automatic digest processor at
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM wrote:

> Date:    Fri, 6 Dec 2002 20:54:46 -0600
> From:    Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MTS.NET>
> Subject: oil pan heater
>
> Winter's come and on goes the oil pan heater.  Is there any reason not to
> leave it plugged in all the time?  I've heard that can be trouble but that
> was in reference to a block heater.
>
> Jeff
> North of North Dakota