Freeze - will this work?
 

We are expecting high 20's tonight and I was thinking about running my engine lights to keep the bilge warm while keeping the batteries on the chargers. I hate to go throught the process of draining the engines or running antifreeze - especially since it was in the high 70's last weekend and this only happens a few times during the winter.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

yeah, it'll work.

Those bulbs don't have a long life span so don't count on em for too awful long. 2 months, tops, if they are new.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

I also live in austin. will just draining the blocks and exhaust be good?

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

I have hung 2 drop cord lights into the bilge with 100 watt bulbs to provide warmth. 2 incase one burns out. You can remove the drain plug to check for light to see if the bulbs are still burning. Note: lights will not last all winter running 24-7. This also doesn't provide warmth for the drive if any water is left in there.
Russ C.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

Last year I used a timer set to come on about 4-5 PM and go off at 6-7 AM. Mines in fully enclosed so even it the temp is cold during the day, the heat from the sun keeps it warm enough inside. Of course this is in North Texas too. :evilb:

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

go to local home supply center and get one of the oil filled radiators they are cheap insurance and no exposed heating element

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

I wouldn't think the engine compartment lights would be enough,, what are they like 25 watts ?? I would run a drop light with atleast a 100 watt bulb, and yes drain the block.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

Do two drop lights.
One for insurance.

Drain the block and the exhaust manifolds (if applicable).

You can skip the antifreeze if you do the rest.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

:evilb:

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

I live too far north.

This was an issue for me two months ago, and I won't be out of the woods until April. :(

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

Even here in Florida we get periods of freezing temps.
Besides draining the block and manifolds I place two 100 watt light fixtures in the engine compartment. They have aluminum reflectors that absorb heat and do help keep the ambient temp above freezing. I turn them on during the day before it gets cold to get the air temp up. If it's going to cold for several days I'll leave them on 24 hours.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

How about one of those 500 watt halogen worklights. They give off alot of heat !!!!

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

I think it's a little scary to put a conventional light bulb into an enclosed bilge for any length of time actually. The actual bulb itself gets rather hot and with that much gas real close....it just doesn't seem worth the scare to me. If you are only going to be talking a day or two here and there....draining the block and manifolds isn't that big of a deal....a drain on each side of the block and at most 4 per side on the manifolds. Is much better than thinking about gas/hot lightbulb combination and coming back to ashes.

Just my opinion though as it sounds like many people use the lightbulb method. It's not something I would do but hey, what do I know? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Oh yeah...not sure if he was joking or not but any type of halogen...don't give it another thought...those things get REAL hot!

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

I would do one of the Home Depot heaters Klaw mentioned. Cheap, easy and safe.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

Drain it, 4 plugs, 2-3 hoses, less than 5minutes work. Do it.

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

Ditto Pismo and Dave... Drain it! :D

As an example I live in New Mexico at about 7200' and it's been cold for a while here. I decided I "needed" to get the boat out again over Thanksgiving, so we took a trip to Havasu... nice weather still down there. Anyway, after the last day out, I just opened up the hatch pulled 5 plugs and two hoses and no worries. Didn't take but 10 minutes or so. :cool:

Re: Freeze - will this work?
 

Ditto on the drop lights. I live on lake conroe near Houston and wrapped my drive with old blankets and used some drop lights in the engine compartment. However,if the boat is on a lift dockside lower it into the water and then use the drop lights in the engine compartment. The drive will be fine and the engines wil stay nice and toasty. Another option, use a heating blanket, lay it over the engine, and plug it in with a timer.