Mounting Boatsafe Heater

CoralReefer

CoralReefer

New Member
Mar 26, 2008
685
Nashville, TN
Boat Info
1987 250 Sundancer
Engines
260 Mercruiser w/Alpha I
I know late in the winter lay-up (my boat is in dry dock indoors) but curious to see how some of you mounted your Boatsafe heaters? I'm keeping in the water next Winter and this is one of my projects. I just bought the heater off eBay. It has the push-to-test button and it works (although doesn't get very warm very quick but I'm assuming that's normal...I didn't run but a couple of minutes). I'm not a fan of any new screw holes in the bilge for fear of water intrusion. Any good/easy ways to mount these things? I'm thinking someone on the starboard side since that's where my bilge plumbing exits. Any pics of your setups?

Thanks!
 
I would recommend if your heater did not come with one, to get the vertical mounting plate to expand your mounting options.

I think, like with any bilge heater, you are just going to just have to try alot of different spots before mounting. One challenge you will have is the BoatSafe heaters are so large, if you are limited on "spare" space mounting will be a problem. Also consider the mounting location carefully before commiting. If you can't find space for it, consider an Xtreme Heater. They are much more space efficient and you can also get a quick release bracket for them. I like the boatsafe heaters and it would probably be my first choice if I had unlimited space but I have been very happy with my Xtreme for 2 winters now.

Sorry I could not offer more help, I just think everyone has to kind of work with the space they have when it comes to this if you know what I mean.

Jason
 
I think I have the space but I'm just worried about screwing into the bilge area. I don't have any pics of my bilge. I'm going to the boat this week so I'll see what I have to work with. It didn't come with the mounting bracket so I'll have to do some searching to find one. Thanks for the response.
 
You can just sit it in the engine bay and remove it in the spring or if you operate the boat. No need for holes or platforms. And yes, it warms gently... its not suppose to be a blast furnace. It does a great job however...
 
I just sit mine on the deckplate but I remove one deckplate screw and secure one corner of the heater just in case there were to be a violent movement of the boat. Take it out and bring it home in the spring.
 
IMO it should be positioned as low as possible. Heat rises, so if you want the lower portions of the bilge to get warmed, put it low.

I just set mine in the lazarette. I didn't mount it because I'll remove it in the spring. It sits on a piece of carpet and even with a few boat trips this winter it has not moved around.
 
I'm interested in following this thread as I will likely be adding a heater before next winter.

My question... does the entire heater box casing get warm or only where the air output is?

My suggestion (depending on the answer to that question) would be to use some velcro on the bottom of the heater. It can be removed easily in the spring and, if you don't have something else to mount (via velcro) in that location of the bilge when the boat will be in use, you can always remove the velcro strip in the bilge and reinstall in the fall/winter.

Maybe it seems kind of cheap, but I was thinking of something along the lines of secure (to boat movement) but only semi-permanent. :huh:
 
Well if anyone is interested I have the smaller boatsafe heater for sale. Asking 200 shipped but would take offers. I used it in my 270 and a 278 4 winns
 
I've used the Boatsafe heaters on several boats, and installed them on a few others. There are a few key points to remember. As mentioned, the best location is a low spot. That being said, the coldest spot in the bilge is around the rear, near the transom. The front of the ER is insulated a bit by the cabin, and the water below the boat is usually warmer than the air.

The only thing I've ever had freeze (and break) was the check valve (plastic) in the bilge pump line. It had water standing in it, and was laying against the rear edge of the boat. In this case, my Boatsafe heater was screwed to the floor of my 290DA, between the engines, in the forward section of the ER. since, I've always put the heater in the back of the boat.

It helps tremendously to plug your ER vents with foam rubber. Just go to Walmart and buy the soft foam in the hobby section, and cut it to size. I just fold a piece and wedge it in. Easy to remove. Also, buy a digital thermometer from Radio Shack. Put the base unit in your cabin, and the remote in the ER mounted to a velcro strip. That way you can check to see if everythig is OK without raising the hatch. Just check occasionally to see if all is dry. These thremometers record the min and max and current temp....about $29.

My current boat has a couple of vertical 2x4s in the ER that support the deck, just behind and between the engines. My heater sets on screw in hooks made by Stanley about 8" long. The power cord is threaded back to the power inlet and wired into the breaker. One last thing...if your boat has a canvas enclosure, use it. Even a cockpit cover will help. Covering the top of the cockpit with a dead air space will help keep the ER warmer, and not force the heater to work so hard.

Don
 

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My heater is only in use December - February so it is more of a temporary or short term set up. I mounted my heater to a piece of 5/4 decking. The plank sits in front of the engine, not mounted to anything. I run the engine occasionally but never move the boat without removing the heater. It is quick & easy enough to remove it for winter time cruises.
 
Great tips so far!!! Thank you!! I may do as mentioned and just place in the ER without mounting and just remove in the Spring. I already have a remote thermometer and plan on using it. Thanks again for the posts.
 
How are you guys wiring the heaters? Is it safe to wire a 110 outlet and use it in the bilge? Or safer to run an extension cord out of the bilge?
 
No extension cords!!!!! I have seen two many of them catch fire. Mine is mounted behind both engines and just abouve the high water bildge on marine ply. Wired into a separate breaker. Keeps the bildge at 44 with the vents plugged with foam.
 
Mine came with 110 cord. It's long enough to plug into power source at the dock without using extension cord. Is that safe?
 
I mounted mine on a 1x6. I set it between my engines on the motor mounts. It slightly wedges in between the risers. I run the 15' long power cord out a bilge vent that I also plug with foam. I plug it into my GFIC outlet on the back deck. No probs so far.
 
:smt038I mounted mine under the ER hatch between the engines. That was the only room that the 320- has. It has been fine for 3 years.
 
CoralReefer said:
Mine came with 110 cord. It's long enough to plug into power source at the dock without using extension cord. Is that safe?
Click to expand...

That will be fine as long as the outlet is breakered.....unless the marina owner has an issue with picking up the tab for your heater. The plugs are 15 amp.
 
I have one in the cobalt. I do not typically winterize it other than plugging in the boatsafe heater. Mine is screwed in on the platform opposite the battery. I do not want to fool with taking it on and off the boat.

Btw, last year mine failed testing before winter. I bought it used at least 4 years prior. I sent it back to boatsafe with a $40 check and recieved it back good as new the next week. Easy comPany to work with.

John

John
 
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