| Name: |
thurdenlong
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/16/2013 9:19:25 AM
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A friend advises when weather goes into the teens he uses a work light and leaves it on in his engine compartment to help with freeze protection. This seems to be an intriguing thought but wondering if anyone has an alternate solution that might be safer? Not sure unattended electric current that close to combustion "fires me up" much. Any thoughts?
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| Name: |
HP HQ
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/16/2013 9:39:17 AM
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We do that from time to time for different scenarios. Little quick thought though, boats with shore power and generators have AC run all over the boat, including the bilge. As long as you have a good extension cord you won't have any trouble.
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| Name: |
greycove
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/16/2013 10:46:03 AM
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I have placed lights in my boats since 1993. I don't use high wattage bulbs and hang the light inside the engine so it does not touch anything. I keep my boat covers on to improve warming inside the engine compartment.
Also, if the temperature drops below the mid 20's, we spend the night at the cabin to keep an eye on things.
Have not had a problem thus far.
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| Name: |
houseboat
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/16/2013 7:17:57 PM
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Why are you not draining the petcocks?
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/16/2013 10:39:37 PM
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If you want a better option, they make heaters for that specific purpose that have a thermostat. They turn on automatically at a set temperature and will offer greater protection if it gets really cold. That said, I don't think you'd have a safety problem with a light bulb if you're careful, but in very cold weather there is no way to insure temperature protection. The heaters are a lot more expensive, but if you prevent a frozen block they will pay for themselves quickly.
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| Name: |
greycove
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/17/2013 10:31:50 AM
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I do drain the engine block and exhaust manifold. Change the foot oil in both boats in case there is any water in the foot.
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| Name: |
NautiqueFrk
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/17/2013 2:13:05 PM
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The thermostat (switch) in bilge heaters are made to contain the spark, are arcing of the electrical current, when the heater comes on or goes off. A light blub could burn out and break or be bumped and break and cause enough spark to to set off any fumes in the bilge area. That's why you are suppose to run the blower before cranking the engine, to remove any fumes from the bilge in case their were any sparks or arcing when starting. If I were going to put a light blub in the bilge I would buy a rough surface rubber coated blub just to be on the safe side, but still be a little worried. Just my two cents worth.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
I strongly suggest
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Date:
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1/17/2013 3:04:55 PM
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I strongly suggest that all boats need to be properly winterized and prepared for storage. Drain water from engine, freshwater wash down tanks and hoses, anti-freeze in outside sink/wetbar P-traps, run engine after treating (or run fuel out) and Fog engine when shutting down. All of the suggestions above are pretty good insurance against freezing, but they ALL will fail if the power goes out. I'm not sure I would trust a $5.00 light bulb but the heater idea does sound easy enough. At least if you lived close by the boat so as to keep an eye out. My .02 worth.
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| Name: |
HP HQ
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| Subject: |
I strongly suggest
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Date:
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1/17/2013 7:55:19 PM
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The original question was about the safety of putting a drop light in the bilge. But if we are talking about safety of an engine and water systems then yes, I agree with Steve and houseboat, the boat should be properly winterized. Engine compartment heaters are wonderful, light bulbs are good too, but most serious winter conditions come with loss of electrical power, and guess what happens next???
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
I do, I do know what happens next
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Date:
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1/18/2013 11:04:51 AM
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"but most serious winter conditions come with loss of electrical power, and guess what happens next???"
Either your backup generator comes on and all is well or you put your beer outside to keep it cold... :-)
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| Name: |
thurdenlong
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| Subject: |
engine compartment warming
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Date:
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1/18/2013 11:56:49 AM
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Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies. Both friend and I do have our boats winterized but were pondering those rare times when there are temps in the teens and being absentee owners. I am thinking that suggestion of the heater with thermostat is safer way to go. If power goes out...will hope the guy who winterized did it well.
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