Engine Bay Temperatures

[boatone]

You may remember my earlier post on this topic following the extreme low temperatures we experienced in December.

Following this, I realised that the electricity meter I was using was faulty and subsequently took it out of service so I have not been using any low level heating in the engine bay at all.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a temperature logging device - a bit like a USB stick but it records temperatures according to criteria you set up in the software.

I set it to record every hour and left it in the bottom of the engine bay and you can see the results in the picture.
As you can see, from 20th to 29th January the temperature hovered between +6 and +4 Celsius with the measurement point in the bottom of the boat just on top of the keel - so about 2 feet below the surface.
Comparisons between this device (which I regard as calibrated and accurate) and the B&Q min/max thermometer show the min/max to be reading a little lower with a min +2.5C over the period.

I am considering getting another logger so that I can track comparative temperatures between the upper cabin or air and the engine bay.

OK, maybe a little anal but interesting I think ......

 

[No Regrets]

Hmmm...so no need for heating?

 

[boatone]

Hmmm...so no need for heating?

That is too swinging an assumption as it will depend on a number of factors including depth of water under the boat. extremes of air temperatures and how long they last for, effectiveness of insulation of the engine bay etc.

However, it is clear that the temperature in the engine bay during this period was several degrees higher than the lowest air temperatures and never dropped low enough to warrant heating. As the engine coolant is antifreezed and the raw water side was also flushed through with 50/50 antifreeze after the seacocks were closed. one could assume that no heating of the engine bay was needed even if the temperature dropped to zero or below.

 

[No Regrets]

Er, thats what I said, although without all the other irrelevant stuff...LOL

Obviously should bray move the entire Marina to the Arctic circle, and with the North current flowing fast underneath ones vessel in a deeper environment, one may still wish to have heating, but in Bray...probably not.

Right?

 

[boatone]

Er, thats what I said, although without all the other irrelevant stuff...LOL

Obviously should bray move the entire Marina to the Arctic circle, and with the North current flowing fast underneath ones vessel in a deeper environment, one may still wish to have heating, but in Bray...probably not.

Right?

Errrr..... No, wrong!

1. My boat is currently at Penton Hook
2. Even within the Marina some boats are in shallower water than others

I could go on but not much point if you are going to trash my information as 'irrelevant stuff' - bloody journos, you're all the same

 

[Gavi]

Aside from the banter, this post has inspired me. Which device did you use, Tony?

 

[boatone]

Inspired ? To do what? It's nothing to do with rugby, you know

Lascar Data Loggers

 

[Gavi]

Inspired ? To do what? It's nothing to do with rugby, you know

Lascar Data Loggers

Ah, rugby. Another dominant win for Quins today

I have ordered one of those gadgets as I like the concept. We shall see what I learn!

 

[TrueBlue]

whilst on the subject of boys' toys -

Ah, rugby. Another dominant win for Quins today

I have ordered one of those gadgets as I like the concept. We shall see what I learn!

I have a similar sort of device to monitor my home electrics. It also has a thermometer. Later version are going to be able to monitor gas and water consumption. All data is stored and can be downloaded to a PC for "analysis".

It's call an ENVI designed and marketed by some nice folks in Godalming - CurrentCost Ltd.


Fred Drift Rules, OK?

 

[boatone]

It's call an ENVI designed and marketed by some nice folks in Godalming - CurrentCost Ltd.
Fred Drift Rules, OK?

No problem with Fred Drift but it needs mains power supply and not really a practical alternative to what I am using. I'v ordered another one today so that I will be able to analyse comparative temperatures in two different locations - eg cabin and engine bay.

 

[YELLOW BOAT]

Hi,
If everything is fileed with antifreeze mixture or emptied there is no need for additional heating.
What about a normal car outside? They suffer from the same cold.
In Northern Europe e.g. Finland cars do have heaters for the engine and people plug in at the parking. Otherwise the engine cannot be started anymore at temperatures (far) below -20 degrees!
But in "our "regions this is not a problem.
Ad

 

[boatone]

I would be interested to know what motivates people to install and use engine bay heating. Is it primarily frost protection?

 

[CX54WEK]

I would be interested to know what motivates people to install and use engine bay heating. Is it primarily frost protection?

We use our boat year round, so filling the raw water system with antifreeze and draining the domestic water each and every week isnt an option for us. The heaters keep everything nice and warm and frost free. When they are working of course. Our heater stopped working during this winter resulting in the water pump breaking. Now this is fixed and the heaters are plugged in permenantly.

It may be overkill some days but we would rather be safe than sorry. Plus the engine starts easily on colder days.