Limited access to bottom of oil pan, best alternative to pad heaters

[Julian]

Hi all,
My 6bts take awhile to start. I know the wolverine heaters are ideal, but access to the bottom of my oil pan is just not there for them. What is the best alternative?
Thank you

Topic

[Rob Schepis]

Would be nice if you can get a couple of inexpensive hygrometers to see the humidity delta in the engine room versus everywhere else….warm & dry engines really are the key to combat the external affects of marine age.

[Philip]

Give it another day or two and the oil pan temp and block temp will equalize as the oil pan heat rises and the entire engine becomes warm. My guess, the block will end up around 70. And when you do start you will notice a much nicer start!

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Tony Athens

[DeWayne Enyeart]

Wolverine oil pan heater before/after install temp data

A Wolverine 250 watt 120 VAC oil pan heater was installed on the bottom of the engine oil pan on 11/30/18.
Temperature data 11/30/18:
Outside air temp: 42°F
Salon air temp: 48°F
Cummins engine block: 50°F
Oil pan: 50°F
Saltwater temp: 50°F
The heater was plugged in on 12/2/18.
Temperature data 12/3/18:
Outside air temp: 46°F
Salon air temp: 52°F
Cummins engine block: 62°F
Oil pan: 100°F
Seawater temp: 50°F

[Julian]

Thanks Greg, I will get em on the pan as low as I can on the side like you did. I can make that work.

[Greg Weaver]

Wolverine

So I just went through these options last month.

Per Tony’s advice, this is what I did

I have 6cta 480CE 8.3

He recommended the wolverine 250 watt version.

The more I got to thinking about it the less I wanted ” Block heaters ” especially high wattage ones.

It’s not really cold enough for me to be using these but I did leave them on overnight and WOW, the entire oil pan is VERY warm and that heats just rises.

As for install, I was not able to get to the bottom side of my pan.
I installed mine in the lowest portion of the side of pan.

For proper installation, sand down to bare metal, If you have any indentations like I did, you will need to fill them in with LPS strong Steel stick https://www.ebay.com/itm/LPS-60159-4-Oz-Strong-Steel-Stick-Renewal-Composite-Patches-Holes-New/292499576159?_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140127102845%26meid%3D639fcc30d04d4d5c880c0a802dc1133a%26pid%3D100148%26%26itm%3D292499576159&_trksid=p2059210.c100148.m2813

Wipe sanded area down with acetone then apply pad per the instructions and use the silicone around the edges and then let cure for 24 hours.

I’m happy with the 250 watters Tony or the guys recommend something different for you

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Julian

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