Engine Heater Install

deafwish · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:15 pm

Hi All,

I have just ordered a Wolverine Pad Heater for my 5.7GL:

http://www.wolverineheater.com/product-p/16.htm

They state that I need to put a 12" x 12" thermal barrier (like Dynamat) on my hull, to protect it from radiant heat from the pad.
Is this really mandatory, or is this an attempt at avoiding litigation from sunken boats?
I'd have around 8" of real estate under my sump, to the bilge floor.

Cheers.

meinmelb · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:08 am

Jees Mate, I know I complain about Melbourne winters but it is not that cold down here..... :shock:

Why don't you just use a piece of wood cut to size to stop the heat transfer to the Hull, or even a brick or two to absorb and radiate that heat?

My boat stays in my garage so unlikely to see freezing temps but I have used one of the tradies lead lights switched on under the sump before. Just enough heat to stop any freezing, but not a long term solution. We used this when camping for pre-season ski training and expected cold temps. The next morning the block felt warmer so it seemed to work ok.

deafwish · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:46 am

Hi Mark,

As my sump is difficult to access, I'd rather just have a long term solution than mess about with bricks & wood.
Running a 25W oil in near freezing temp's on an engine with flat tappett hydraulic lifters is something that concerns me.
I also frequently do short trips & have recently had condensation issues with my oil.
This pad heater should also reduce condensation under my boat cover, too!

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:37 pm

deafwish wrote:

Hi All,

I have just ordered a Wolverine Pad Heater for my 5.7GL:

It's 86 F today. What do you need that for?

ric · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2014 3:36 pm

rpengr wrote:

deafwish wrote:

Hi All,

I have just ordered a Wolverine Pad Heater for my 5.7GL:

It's 86 F today. What do you need that for?

Did ya'll have a cold front down there?

deafwish · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2014 4:45 pm

It's frequently in single digits, down here in Melbourne. :cry:

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:43 am

ric wrote:

rpengr wrote:

deafwish wrote:

Hi All,

I have just ordered a Wolverine Pad Heater for my 5.7GL:

It's 86 F today. What do you need that for?

Did ya'll have a cold front down there?

Yep, it was breaking into the 90's last weekend, but 80's are more common here close to the shoreline.

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:45 am

deafwish wrote:

They state that I need to put a 12" x 12" thermal barrier (like Dynamat) on my hull, to protect it from radiant heat from the pad.
Is this really mandatory, or is this an attempt at avoiding litigation from sunken boats?
I'd have around 8" of real estate under my sump, to the bilge floor.

Cheers.

How about just laying an oil absorbing pad or 2 under there as a compromise?

kd4pbs · **Joined:** Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:34 am **Posts:** 350

At only 250 watts spread out over that much area, I would guess they are only trying to cover their rear ends.
So, it warms the hull under the engine up? I imagine that would only be a good thing, giving some thermal mass to the whole system. I wonder how hot the thing actually gets?
Perhaps if you can stick it to the oil pan somehow, it will be even less of an issue for the hull.

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Engine Heater Install

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