Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Just read below.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

They also had a Wireless Thermometer made by Oregon Scientific, with a base unit you can keep in the house, and remote temp unit you can place as far as 100 feet away. I picked one of them too, and it works perfect to keep an eye on the temp inside the engine compartment from inside the house. Totally battery powered, and radio signal between temp unit and base.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

DUDE!!!!!!!!Do not put that in your bilge. It is not vapor sealed and the thermostat will spark when it activates. Then if there are gas fumes in there KABOOM!

There is a way to use a home style heater but I will not post it publicly since if someone screws it up I don't want to get sued.

PM me and I'll tell you how to do it safely.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

I was gonna say the same thing , But I have used a magnetic pan heater on with a light dimmer control from inside the house if its cold I turn it up a bit. or use a T stat outside boat. Only sealed explosion rated switches or contacts should ever be in the engine compartment. I wont even use a light bulb for heat

BRIAN you know better :D :D :D

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Boom.

$200 will buy you a "proper" bilge heater.

But I have been guilty of using light bulbs from 1967 thru 1990. I never used a bulb in a boat that had a full cover on it, though.

These days I have a big bilge heater I bought at West MArine for the Formula (when it isn't winterized yet, but it already is). And I use a heater very similar to the one you show in the cruiser - but it's diesel and has no explosive fume risks.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Proper Bilge heater sounds like the way to go :D :D

Cougarman

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Block heaters don't protect your oil or trans coolers worth a darn. And they need water in the motor, else they can blow themselves up. If you got a closed cooled motor, they are an option as long as you know their limitations.

You can also get oilpan heaters. Or wrap oildrum heat strip around your motor.

But when you look at a $200 bill for a proper bilge heater. And then figure out that it will last 20 years, it gets pretty darn cheap...

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Alright, I have seen it done before and figured what the heck. Yeah, the fume thing does sound like a bad thing. LOL. Oh well.

At least the Thermometer thing is OK.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Can someone post a link to a 'Proper' bilge heater?

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/w...oductId=706514

???

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Yup, that's the one!

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Do dipstick heaters work?

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

they are usually less than 100 watts, and as stated above wont protect the oil or power steering cooler, engine compartment needs to be above freezing. dip stick heater most likely wont help against manifolds freezing.
you would really need to monitor the internal engine compartment.
"Brian" Sydwayz had a great Idea with that remote temp.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Brian, you can winterize both engines in less than 2 hours, 90 minutes or less if there's an extra pair of hands to help. So I'll bite, why are you looking at bilge heaters?

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

I did it with a buddy in 1/2 an hour, we pull the thermostats so it is fast. I pour it into a funnel on the muffs and it sucks like a ho, then he fogs at the last 3 gallons. I used 6 in each. It was $60.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Brian,
If you want one let me know. I know some idiot that works at Boaters World :D :D

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Eh, call me anal. I even have 496HOs with fresh water cooling and the air pump system to drain the motors of fresh sea water. I just don't plan on doing to fully monty winterizing because the boat is supposed to be going to FL for the winter.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

Boater's World and West Marine both carry a new line of marine bilge heaters that are small and easy to mount, XtremeHeaters. I have a buddy with one and he has been happy with it, YMMV.

Re: Automatic Engine Compartment Heater..
 

WWW.XTREMEHEATERS.COM
IT EVEN LOOKS COOL ENOUGH FOR A GOOD LOOKING ENGINE COMPARTMENT :D
they are small and can be mounted permanent out of the way
so you can enjoy those awesome days that always pop up :cool: