Block heaters for GM12V71TIs

[StratPlan61]

I need your help guys, does anyone know which block heaters (or other type) I should buy and install in GM12V71TIs? KimHotstart was a brand which was recommended to me by another Hatt owner. After talking with KimHotstart on the phone, they tell me I must buy a water recirculating type heater, not an in-block style heater for the 12V71TIs. Mine are the smaller 650hp variant. What are you guys using and having good luck with? I am a Great lakes boater. Help!

Happy Holidays to all of you!! Bear'

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Bear,
Check out the stick-on pad type heaters. We have used them for many applications at our quarry, from oil pan installations to hydralic tanks. They work well, are easy to install, and don't cost much.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have these on the oil pans, made by Wolverine, I got them from Tony at Seaboard Marine in Oxnard, CA. So far, so good.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I've purchased them direct from Wolverine. I don't know if that makes any difference on price or not.

 

[Mike36c]

Jim, What size wolverines did you get? I'm looking into installing a set on my 6BTA's. Mike

 

[captddis]

If you go the immersion heater route, all you need is the Kim heater in 1000watt that has a 3/4 pipe thread. It will screw into the pipe plug in the elbow above the oil cooler. No pumps needed. If you want tstats they will screw into one of the 1/2 in plugs in the water outlet manifold on top of the head. I usually place the stat in the opposite side from the element. Dave

 

[Traveler 45C]

Here is Tony’s site for the Wolverines: http://www.sbmar.com/Products/Wolverine.cfm

I’ve got the 500W versions on my 871’s. They work as advertised. I’m very happy with them. Much easier to install than block heaters…

I’ve searched the Forum looking for Genesis’s thread covering how he installed them on his boat but I can’t find it. Perhaps the admin guys could locate it and move it to the FAQ section.

 

[Genesis]

http://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=849&page=5&pp=10&highlight=wolverine

Its buried in there pretty good..... I may try to extract and move it to the FAQ later.

 

[doc g]

I've got the Wolverine on my 12v71TI's and they work great.They start in a flash w/o smoke no matter how cold it is. 500w right on the bottom of the pan. Follow the instructions as modified by Karl, especially the tie down part in case it debonds from the pan.

 

[Traveler 45C]

The heater control set-up the Genesis engineered is brilliant. Please note; you do not have to set yours up this way. You can just slap them on, plug them in and your done. Genesis’s set-up is more flexible and will save you money. You really don’t need the heaters when the outside temps are above 70F.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Regarding the slap-em-on part--Make sure the pan or whatever you are sticking them to is clean--no oil, no paint or they will come off.

 

[Traveler 45C]

Outside temp this morning was 28F. There was frost on the dock and ice was forming on the bayou. Engine temps were 85F over the entire engine. The oil in the pan measured over 130F. Engine room was a nice 78F.

The Wolverines are working well…

 

[StratPlan61]

As always, I really appreciate the great advice and willingness to help, demonstrated by my fellow Hatt owners. I am energized by the responses and interested in these pad-type heaters. Can you tell me about their electrical use/costs, etc. I also had read about a fire which someone had speculated might have been attributed to this style preheater. Any other info helps. Thanks again everyone!!

Bear'
1984 61' FBMY, Strategic Plan

 

[Traveler 45C]

500W per engine. To tell you the truth, I have not even noticed an increase in elec costs but obviously there is. To put the costs in perspective, I currently have 6400 Christmas lights on the boat using approx 1800W. How much more does it costs to run Christmas lights on your house, if you do? Its not that much compared to the benefits gained.

Re: Fire, I rigged mine to hang from a hose, not touching anything should they come loose. And if they do come loose, they will internally burn up immediately. No problem.