1428
New Member
Anyone got ideas for prevention of frost damage to a pair of Volvo inboard engines whilst the boat is in the water.
Frost Protection
- Thread starter 1428
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carlton
Well-Known Member
Yep - stick a low wattage, temperature controlled heater in the engine bay.
(Assuming you have reliable shore-power, of course).
Something like this will do the job...
http://www.dealec.co.uk/acatalog/Deal_Electrical__Tubular_Heaters_181.html
(Assuming you have reliable shore-power, of course).
Something like this will do the job...
http://www.dealec.co.uk/acatalog/Deal_Electrical__Tubular_Heaters_181.html
Dave_Seager
Well-Known Member
I just drain down the raw water side of the cooling system. I think that there is a drain point on the pipe to the pump and another on the exhaust manifold on my engines (AQD32A). I also open the water pumps to let any remaining water out and usually take the impellers out for the winter. You should also check the strength of the antifreeze in the freshwater side of the cooling system.
Tremlett 15
Well-Known Member
ralf2
Well-Known Member
They are really neat tremlett and carlton those tube heaters are the real job!BTW i cant even buy them that cheap and i live beside the factory!!
nedmin
Well-Known Member
tubular heaters
For info. My son-in -law had a tubular heater in his boat for frost protection and it failed. On examination the contacts for the overheat thermostat oxidised and went open circuit,thus causing the heater to fail.Some makes are obviously made from inferior materials.If you can its worth checking the contacts.His you could get at by taking the end cover off.
For info. My son-in -law had a tubular heater in his boat for frost protection and it failed. On examination the contacts for the overheat thermostat oxidised and went open circuit,thus causing the heater to fail.Some makes are obviously made from inferior materials.If you can its worth checking the contacts.His you could get at by taking the end cover off.
carlton
Well-Known Member
Hack-shually, I use one of these...
http://www.cnmonline.co.uk/Igenix-Thermostat-Mini-Radiator-pr-36236.html
http://www.cnmonline.co.uk/Igenix-Thermostat-Mini-Radiator-pr-36236.html
Scubadoo
Well-Known Member
I use two tube heaters on a themostat and also have a thermometer that can show you the min temp say for the week.
1428
New Member
Many thanks. Did all this this year as on hardstanding. Next year in the water(fresh), worried that it could still freeze.
CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
We used thermostatic switches and tube heaters last winter. Seemed to work fine. Plus if we ventured out for the evening the engine got itself warm enough to last out the evening.
We located heaters in the cabin and engine bay
We located heaters in the cabin and engine bay
nonitoo
Well-Known Member
I think you are less likely to have freezing in the water than out of it. Down here in the SE the sea temperature is unlikely to go lower than 7-8C and the boat is sitting in it !!
I note you are in fresh water so, provided that, historically, it does not freeze, it is still going to be warmer in than out.
Tom
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
My boat was in the water last winter with ice about 1" thick when air temp down to -9C. Used a 240W tube heater with timer and thermostat, and despite my concerns the engines were fine. I was very concerned about the outdrives but these were OK too. I have a hot water heater in the saloon. This split due to frost, as the stat plug failed.
Will take Rafiki out of the water this winter for general service etc, and will not have the option of heating so will need to be very thorough with draining everything down.
If the boat is on a marina in the sea, then I think the engine bay should be OK with the tube heaters (as previous post, the sea water will remain above +5C, effectively warming the engine bay), but you will need to drain down the hot and cold water side in the saloon/heads etc.
Will take Rafiki out of the water this winter for general service etc, and will not have the option of heating so will need to be very thorough with draining everything down.
If the boat is on a marina in the sea, then I think the engine bay should be OK with the tube heaters (as previous post, the sea water will remain above +5C, effectively warming the engine bay), but you will need to drain down the hot and cold water side in the saloon/heads etc.
Nautical
Well-Known Member
Dont forget to drain the shower head (assuming you have one) on the swim platform, forgot last year and first frost it split.
carlton
Well-Known Member
Yes - definitely worth draining the FW system, and leave all taps open.
As Nautical says, it's easy to forget about the shower at the back! Mine's completely exposed to the elements, but (touch wood) I've never had a problem by leaving the boat in the water/sticking a heater in the engine bay/draining the FW system.
As Nautical says, it's easy to forget about the shower at the back! Mine's completely exposed to the elements, but (touch wood) I've never had a problem by leaving the boat in the water/sticking a heater in the engine bay/draining the FW system.
Dave_Seager
Well-Known Member
Timer and Thermostat?
Why use a timer? If the temperature is low enough to cause frost damage why does the time of day matter?
Why use a timer? If the temperature is low enough to cause frost damage why does the time of day matter?