Tube heaters

[colingr]

A week or so ago there was a thread on using tube heaters in the engine bay to ward off the dreaded frost. I cannot seem to find it nohow!

Anyone cleverer that me (millions I know) who can point me to it?

Cheers

 

[cliffdale]

I posted this but others found slightly cheaper ones.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Heating_Index/Tubular_Heaters/index.html

order one of these aswell.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Heating_Index/Therm_1/index.html

Go for the 3' one.



I set my engine room to 8 degrees

 

[colingr]

Excellent thanks

 

[DPH]

As I said in the previous thread I do not believe they are the best solution!

Just to prove this I am offering two tube heaters free of charge to anyone in Port Solent. PM me and I'll stick on your boat.

 

[Canopy Locked]

As I said in the previous thread I do not believe they are the best solution!

Can't find the prev thread - what did you say? Only ask as I have just ordered 2 tube heaters for my boat - !!

 

[fireball]

Dave

If you don't want those Tube heaters, I'll happily have them - are they still available?

Cheers
FB

 

[DPH]

All yours providing you can pick up from PS.

Oh no, I've just helped out a raggie!

 

[fireball]

Sending a PM /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[colingr]

Now, calm down, take a deep breath and relax. You'll get over it in time. It's no worse than the plague.

 

[Geoffs]

Maybe you said in other thread, but what do you think is the best solution?

 

[DPH]

I prefer these

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/DXMPH1000.html

Built in thermostat and a bit safer and can also use as a normal heater.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/DXMPH1000.html

 

[Sneds]

Go live in the med /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boatingdave]

Tube heaters are less prone to sparks - much safer in an engine bay IMHO if installed correctly. Tend to be rated at 60W per foot so a lot cheaper to run too (I have a metered supply). Not sure why you think the Dimplex is safer - but I've probably missed something in translation! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[DPH]

OK, on the safety I think you have a valid point. I was going from the angle that I once was getting the boat ready to go out, I had a tube heater lying next to the sink. I picked it up, lost my grasp and grabbed the heater. Quite a nasty burn.

 

[Nickcf]

[ QUOTE ]
Tube heaters are less prone to sparks - much safer in an engine bay IMHO if installed correctly. Tend to be rated at 60W per foot so a lot cheaper to run too (I have a metered supply). ..

[/ QUOTE ]

Because the Dimplex heaters have a built in thermostat (including a frost stat setting which kicks in at about 3 deg C) they will be far cheaper to run than leaving a tube heater on 24/7. As they are 500 or 1000w they will also heat the area much faster once on, so ensuring real frost protection.
If you need to rely on having no thermostats for safety reasons then you are running a real risk. All calorifiers have stats and most starter motors generate a spark when the contactor opens....!

They are also much smaller- bet you can't guess which I use...!

 

[colingr]

I have bought a thermostat to go with the tube heater, set to 5 degrees. To leave it on all the time would br OTT imho.

 

[boatingdave]

This is personal preference really. I have an external frost stat (in the cockpit so no risk whatsoever of any sparks in the engine bay, heaters are intrinsically safe) with 3 tube heaters installed in the vulnerable areas throughout the boat. Gone for the fixed option. Frost stat is set at 5 degrees so the heaters aren't on for 24/7 unless the weather dictates. It's true that a single 1Kw heater will protect the an area 'quicker' than distributed 600W. I don't need the heaters to warm up any areas, just to stop them freezing!
Given that you would have to have the water around the boat freeze (fresh water) or a significant chill factor before the internal water is likely to freeze anyway this is only for peace of mind - stops me waking up in the middle of the night /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gifworrying about the love of my life (my wife knows the pecking order he he...). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Geoffs]

Back to heaters again.

Anyone any ideas on how many watts needed to keep an engine bay frost free. On a frost stat, to cut in at about 5 deg. C

Single engine, bay size about 2.5M X 2.0M X 1.0M. Is a couple of hundred watts enough?

 

[colingr]

Having completed my research, and installation, the place I bought mine recommended 80w. It only needs to be enough to keep the frost off, not pre-heat the engine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Of course since setting it all up the weather has turned very mild so I doubt if it has been belo 5 sine. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[longjohnsilver]

I'd have thought 200 watts more than enough, especially bearing in mind that most engine rooms are pretty well insulated. In my engine room I've got only one tube heater which is, I think, only 80 or 100W and the engine room is about 5m x 5m x 2m. Can't see any reason to have anything more powerful. And if you're in the water then the best protection is the warmth of the water itself.