Wolverine Heaters Installation on Cummins 450C

[Alex F]

I'm in the process of installing the Wolverine Heaters Model #40 CSA on my mains and after getting the package I'm scratching my head on finding good flat surface 5" x 7". So far the only spot that I can think is one of these (see pic)







Based on my measurements it barely makes it, the distance between grove for the plug and the beginning of the curved edge of the block is just under 5". Did anyone find better spot?

Another question, the STBD side (those with v-drive will be the port) there are two hoses that run from the oil filter under the engine right at the edge of the block. With heater right there the hoses might be in danger of getting too much heat from the heater. What was your solution to protect the hoses?

 

[Jaws]

Alex, are you sure you need the M40 models? I got the M16's at the recommendation of Wolverine and they installed easily in the area you have indicated because they are smaller. Mine went on the Back (forward in the boat on a V-drive) of the engines. They work great and I usually do not leave them on since they are so efficient. I simply switch them on the night before and the blocks are nice and warm by morning with little smoke at start up. (I have also laid down a foil insulation under the oil pans to reflect the heat.) James

 

[Alex F]

James,

Thanks for responding. The model #4 CSA was advised by Kevin (the owner). When I looked at the package it has a huge range from 13qts to 27qts. Our engines take 24qts so we're at the end of the range. I don't know the specs for M16, but if it's twice less the power I don't understand how they could advise you to use them, unless you discussed the installation issues.

I'll do more precise measurements and see if mine can fit.

BTW, did you have the oil hoses running under the block like mine have on one engine? I know that I'll have to either move them or protect them somehow.

 

[Woody]

I'm thinking about the broad range of temps these heaters are designed for. The 500w M40 is no doubt heating comparable sized diesels engines in my neck of the woods where average and all time low temp are as much as 25 degrees colder than your application. Trucks and equipment sitting outside, 40 below, engine exposed, and wind blowing, the heaters need to have some umph to keep up to that rate of heat loss. Now compare that to heating a protected boat engine in your warmer location. I could see where the 250w M16 could be sufficient as illustrated by poster Jaws. If space for installation is a problem it might be worth reviewing again your needs with Wolverine based on temp data for your area, winter storage conditions, etc http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0520

 

[Jaws]

Alex, all I can tell you is that I was prepared to purchase the 500W units when I phoned Wolverine but they convinced me otherwise. I'm at the boat now and flipped on the heaters about five hours ago. The heated end of the oil pan is now hot to the touch but the other end is only warm. By morning (in eight hours) the entire oil pan should be quite warm. There is no doubt that the 500W heaters would heat faster and to a higher temperature but as Woody pointed out, this is a confined environment and you might not really need that much heat. After all the purpose of these heaters are to get the oil warm enough to minimize the effects of a cold start-up. As I mentioned I was advised to be careful of the possible heat damage to the fibreglas in the tight clearance beneath. Therefore I used a reflective foil type insulated wrap to lay beneath the motors and this seems to slightly increase the efficiency of those 250W heaters.

Maybe the installation issue was the reason that Wolverine sold me the smaller heaters but they fit nicely. Maybe the larger ones work better but these ones do the trick and I do not have any oil lines interfering with the placements. Hope that helps.

James

 

[Alex F]

.... As I mentioned I was advised to be careful of the possible heat damage to the fibreglas in the tight clearance beneath. Therefore I used a reflective foil type insulated wrap to lay beneath the motors and this seems to slightly increase the efficiency of those 250W heaters....

Great points guys. I totally understand and will consider the option of downsizing the units after I do additional measurements.

James, what kind of reflective tape are you using and where did you get it?

 

[Jaws]

Alex, The product I used is called "Reflectix" and I believe I got it at Home Depot. It came in a 24" X 10' roll, a lifetime supply. Basically it's a two sided foil sandwiching a thin bubble wrap. When I spoke with Wolverine (this was a few years ago), their concern was that my motors would be close to the hull bottom and I should not have an oil absorbent "diaper" under the heaters. So I got rid of the diapers (never needed them anyways) and placed this reflective material beneath. Because I only have the 250W heaters and there is at least six inches of clearance below, the reflectors seem to make the most of the heaters' output. Some people run their Wolverine heaters all the time. I don't; they get switched on when I arrive at the boat but you can feel the warm and dryness in the engine room. James

 

[Robski97]

Guys ,
I leave my heaters on all the time . I have almost zero rust on my motors. The heaters make the motor into a giant radiator. When u wake up and boat covered in dew and everytings all wet . My motors are bone dry. Boat stays in the water til after thanksgiving here in NY and im the first one in , in March . I love the heaters. Im trying to figure out what size i have . ( been in since 2007 ) since i have 20 gallons of oil im thinking i have the 40's . Ill verify when im down. Also most of the heat is reflected into the pan. u can get ur hand damn close to the heater without feeling alot of the heat. So i dont think any hoses would be an issue as ur not going to exceed running conditions.

Rob

 

[Alex F]

After analyzing it more I made the decision to change the order and get the smaller set. I found few more threads where folks went with one size smaller than recommended and were happy. Thus, since I have space issue and obstruction on one side it made total sense to go smaller instead of trying to squeeze the larger model 40 in there.

Even though I'm going with CSA version (with thermostat) I'm still going to install a timer. I'll keep you guys posted as I make progress on this.