Block heater help

[TheMagicBus]

So my bus is going to be parked all winter this year while I'm working on it and going to school. I plan on starting it once or twice a month just to move the tires, but it won't be driven off the property it's currently on.
Pretty much, do I need to have the engine block heater on the whole season or should I just turn it on a bit before I try to move it? Any other winterizing I'll need to do? Any and all input would be awesome!

[slaughridge85]

You only need to plug it in a few hours before you plan to start it if its really cold. If its just going to sit most of the time there's no reason to keep it plugged in 24/7.

[family wagon]

For that matter, there's a fair chance it'll start even without the block heater. They'll all start faster and easier, and start giving heat sooner, when they've had a block heater plugged in. But most will start without block heat help in most climates.

You might want to think about disconnecting and/or periodically charging the batteries, too.

[TheMagicBus]

I'm going to purchase a trickle charger for the batteries until I convert the stupid electronic door to a manual one. I kept having to turn the key to be able to shut it, and one day I went to turn it and the batteries had died on me!

I had it parked up against a barn and couldn't get into the access panel for the batteries. Guess it was good my half-ton Silverado can tow my bus!