CliffA
Well-Known Member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 4,712
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 340DA
Name: 'Happy Place'
4.5kW West. Generator
Purchased Nov. 2014
Fresh Water Use
- Engines
- Twin Merc. 6.2L (MPI)
640 hp (Total)
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drive Transmissions
OK, so this time of year the 'winterizing' forum always gets active with posts concerning the use of bilge heaters and possible alternatives...i just had one of my 'off the wall thoughts' about this and thought i would throw it out to the group and get blasted, err.... i mean have an honest and constructive discussion about it...i winterize my boat by draining the engine block and manifilds and will continue to do so, but this idea (if viabale) may help someone else...
i understand the biggest concern about using any type heating device in the bilge is to insure the device is spark proof....any type device that uses a standard type thermostat to control when it comes on and goes off has a real concern about sparking when the contacts in the thermostat make and causing potential gas fumes to explode...what about a device that has the thermostat outside of the engine compartment and away from any possible gas fumes...i was thinking a simple and inexpensive electric blanket thrown over the engine with the controller/thermostat located outside of the engine compartment....the power use of the blankets is relatively low and the thermostat can be set to come on at low temps...i see one on sale at Wal-Mart for $29....
let the games begin...
cliff
i understand the biggest concern about using any type heating device in the bilge is to insure the device is spark proof....any type device that uses a standard type thermostat to control when it comes on and goes off has a real concern about sparking when the contacts in the thermostat make and causing potential gas fumes to explode...what about a device that has the thermostat outside of the engine compartment and away from any possible gas fumes...i was thinking a simple and inexpensive electric blanket thrown over the engine with the controller/thermostat located outside of the engine compartment....the power use of the blankets is relatively low and the thermostat can be set to come on at low temps...i see one on sale at Wal-Mart for $29....
let the games begin...
cliff
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