Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

[IMHB]

I made this tin can heater out of a coffee can.. I put a porcelain lamp socket in the bottom of the can, then I put a foot on the can to keep it from rolling...150 watt light bulb. I have plenty of room under my motor to accommodate the can.
The hull is aluminum.. If you have a fiberglass hull, I think you could place a piece of fiberglass insulation under the heater.. What do you think... will it work?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Pretty nifty,....

It'd a been quicker to just Drain the block, 'n manifolds,......

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

I sympathize with the use of a heater. What if you want to take her out tomorrow - you'd have to winterize every time.

Trouble is, around here, when it get really nasty the power usually goes out.

I use a 750 watt electric heater in the bilge. I also have a remote reading thermometer sensor in the bilge so I can see the temp there while in the house.

I know, I know - I'm going to blow my boat up using a non-marine electrical device in the bilge. Guess I've just been lucky so far?

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

I've used the electric heater as a temporary measure if I'm too busy winterizing other peoples boats to get at mine. But only if the drain plug is out of the hull so that any fumes have a place to go.
How about using a magnetic block heater? The bulb idea makes me nervous. One drop of water and it goes poof!

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

My gas tank leaked and my boat didn't have a garboard drain plug while I had the electric heater in the bilge.

One More Time Around: Fireproof Duck

 

[funk6294]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

What about ball valves to quickly drain the block and manifolds??? I am thinking of doing this on mine. I have twins and the center two drains are a @&$$( to get to.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

What about ball valves to quickly drain the block and manifolds??? I am thinking of doing this on mine. I have twins and the center two drains are a @&$$( to get to.

Only if you still have access to poke a wire in there to dislodge all the rust flakes that can block the valve.

 

[funk6294]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

Thanks Bruce, I was thinking the same thing with the wire. With a single should be easy.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

you could have just bought a $10 incandescent trouble light at harbor freight

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

My gas tank leaked and my boat didn't have a garboard drain plug while I had the electric heater in the bilge.

One More Time Around: Fireproof Duck

I think it's time to buy a lottery ticket!

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Under motor lightbulb heater (PIC)

I think it's time to buy a lottery ticket!

Not sure why I got singled out for the good luck, but I sure am enjoying it.

One More Time Around: Houseboat GTG - St Johns River Nov 2013