Hey guys sorry it took me so long. It worked well. I used a couple of batteries of my dads that he took back to use at work. I tested the temperature of the coolant it was only on for a little over two hours before I started the truck and the coolant was up to 73 degrees at the radiator cap. The outside temp was about 9 degrees. I forgot to get some pics. The batteries I used seemed to hold up well but are really expensive so now I am looking at two deep cycle marine batteries from Autozone that are about $75 a piece. I crunched some numbers and the unit should be able to power the heater all night if you would like to let the truck warm all night. But I have a few questions....#1-How do the marine deep cycles handle being pulled down and then recharged on a day to day basis. And also I ran a temporary lead from my battery to the unit right in front of the truck. When I started the truck it seemed to pull it down quite abit similar to jump starting a car. But my question is #2-how will the alternator handle having to charge the two extra batteries when you start the truck while running the grid heater for its cycle and maintaining the state of the factory installed batteries. #3-Would it be to much strain to one battery to run the heater on all night. The batteries I was looking at have a 1000 cold cranking amp with 115 amp reserve for 180 minutes. And as far as size goes it will be about 18"s tall X 18" wide X 18 long. I could do one of two things I could build it as cheap as possible for around $300 or maybe a little less using Autozone batteries, cheap timer that will be analog that plugs into the outlet, converter, power lead to run to the bed, some sort of cover that I am still looking into, an outdoor extension cord custom length for the cab of the truck, conduit or just wire loom to keep everything neat, and a frame to hold the batteries and a perch to hold the converter. I am still getting prices from a few different places. Or I could make a really nice unit. Using either Autozone marine deep cycle batteries Optima's or any other battery that you guys think would be best I am very open to suggestions concerns, digital timer of some sort the one I used was alright but I don't like the layout its really complicated with to many other functions that we would not use, nice frame possibly aluminum, with the same leads, wire loom, extension cord, but for the cover I was thinking we have a plastic manufacturing facility right across the street from my house and I went to school with the owners son so I may be able to get a nice cover made with a built in carry handle and a place for the timer in the cover. Which remember this thing will be heavy if it has both marine batteries in it. So guys I need comments, questions, concerns and other ideas you guys may have or input.
Joshua Trimmell