Pan Heater Question

[Jackman]

I just completed the installation of two wolverine pan heaters on my 330b's....had them installed for a year just didn't hook them up. Is it okay to have them on 24/7? I have them hooked up to a breaker...are these thermostatically controlled?

Thanks

 

[eze2bme]

If your Wolverine pan mounted heaters are like mine they are not thermostatically controlled. I have mine run through a circuit with a thermostat. My Wolverines are just a heating pad that is adhered to the bottom of the oil pan with power cord that plugs into an outlet that is mounted in the engine compartment. The power to the outlet comes through a thermostat. I posted a thread on here 4 or 5 years ago when they were installed. Thermostat came from WW Grainger. Whole system works great. Have the t'stat to come on at 50 degrees and off at 60 ... keeps the whole engine compartment warm ... and the salon above.

 

[the kuz]

Jackman, Yes they can stay on non stop and I would do that in winter if you have a single 250W pad on each engine. My set up on our 1977 36C is similar to eze2bme except that I have a baseboard heater thermostat (110V line thermostat) controlling power to the receptical in the ER. You can get one at any electrical supply place for about $15 and mount it in a box next to the ER receptical. I leave it set to come on below 55 degrees and switched on (it's on a seperate breaker) from about Dec. through late May. I have a 500W wolverine on each 330B and run the boat all year here on the Chesapeake. If you plug up or cover your ER air intakes and stuff the vents, it will keep the whole boat above freezing except on the coldest nights when I add a 600W oil filled radiator heater in the doorway between the galley down and the forward stateroom. Leave the cabinet doors below the kitchen sink open and the forward locker door also to be sure heat gets to kitchen faucet and shower plumbing. I put a cup of pink anti-freeze in the head bowl and touch the flush if we are having a sustained below 20 degree cold spell. The pad heaters are especially important to control sweating/ER condensation and corrosion in the spring when the air gets warm and humid and the water and engine blocks are cold. Also makes cold weather starting a snap. I'm very happy with the pad heaters. Best Regards, Bob K

 

[solanderi]

Do you guys have any problems with oil dripping on to Wolverines ? If that happened, would that be a fire hazard ? Thanks

Greg

 

[REBrueckner]

There are standards for wattage versus oil capacity.... You don't want large electric heat pads on a small quantity of oil....I have seen sizing data maybe here on Sam's....What does Wolverine recommend??

If you are using air thermostats, any old electric heat source is nearly as good as a pad...the pad just applies the heat directly and excess heat warms the air...if you use an air heater, the air is warmed first, and transfers to the engines....either way keeping engines warmer and at more uniform temperatures aids starting and reduces condensation...

I like air heaters because I can see them...and check...the pads are nice but after installation not very visible.

 

[34Hatt]

Well just like Bob K I too have the 250 watt wolverine's I have left them on 24/7 no problems.

As for oil they do not get hot enough to ignite oil.

Bob thanks for reminding my about pluging air vents I always cover it and then remember. It is easier for me to do it from the outside
That make's a huge diference in engine room.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Installed a 250w pan heater on my 6-71's a few years back... Makes a huge difference when we get 'cold temps"...

As in below 50 degrees.

Cheap for what they do.....

Makes engines firing up in less than 2 secs. as opposed to 15-20 secs without them