Oil Pan Heating Pad Burning Though?

[Matt Lyman]

Hi Everyone – I am now just about to install my third oil pan heater on my starboard engine. Zero clue why but it keeps frying. The first two looked similar when I peeled them off. Has anyone else experienced this? My port pan heater has been running with no problems and is plugged into the same outlet as starboard. Attached are pictures.

 

The bottom of my pans are clear of paint, but now it looks like some of the adhesive (yellow parts on the pan) from the previous heating pads has stuck to the pan. Is this a problem? It’s not coming off very easily.

Topic

[Jim Miller]

Zero Start/Oil pan burn through/quality control

Had a good talk this afternoon with engineer at Philip and Temro. I then went to the boat to apply some of my new knowledge. Turns out the multi outlet extension cord running from my 110 outlet to the Block heaters had a intermittently Bad socket driving me crazy. So both heaters are up and running.

We also discussed the other heater that I could never get to adhere to the oil pan I so carefully prepared. I did get The replacement heater I purchased To adhere to the same spot. I still question QC As a result of my personal experience and others posting on this Forum Who have problems with adhesion and resulting burn through. I asked about any alternative adhesive that could be applied to the heating pad. I thought there was something approved for aircraft And other demanding temperature related applications.

The engineer giving me tech-support emphatically stated that this is a very unique adhesive available nowhere else And I just need to finish processing my return. Interestingly he mentioned that Phillip & Temro DBA Zero Start & wolverine Have a“store front on Amazon” which is where I obtained my heating Pads.  When I started on this I did not know that SBMAR was selling the product as well. <br />             <br />At the moment I’m keeping an open mind so I can think positively about pads I did install.  On another positive note I talked to my son who has an aircraft with a pan Heater that is FAA approved . I didn’t get enough into this with him except he mentioned FAA will not tolerate they burn through scenario.

 

Cheers again ,

 

[Rob Schepis]

Very annoying as this is appearing to be a QC issue more so than an installation issue, especially a PITA in that these are not that easy to “R&R” when they go bad.  It’s time to add a Pan Heater to the SMX lineup!

[Jim Miller]

Wolverine/Zero Start Malfunction

Thanks for the quick response Tony.

I put in a request for Tech Support to Phillip and Temro and should have a response by the end of the day.

I will update tomorrow,

1 user thanked author for this post.

Rob Schepis

[Tony Athens]

Jimmy,   I wish I had decent answer for you but I do not.  Over the 15+ years I have been using them, I have had very few complains and I’d say the few we had, at least some were was traced back to the  installation  Oil pan temps when you 1st shut down could easily be 200F even after idling into your slip.. They are always above coolant temp after running for an hour, even at low speeds.. So #1 would be not to plus them in until temps are down to 100F or so.  You don happen to have a  Kill-a-Watt  —  super nice and super hand tool for any boat owner and cheap.. So simple to really see what is going on. Genuine are about $34 and new copies are 1/2 of that–   

And yes, this could easily be a QC issue  — I am taking all this in and keeping an open mind.

[Jim Miller]

Wolverine/Zero Start Malfunction

I understand Wolverine was sold to Phillip & Temro in late 2017. Product now called Zero Start but has Wolverine label as well. Tried to install I am now on #3. Followed,all instructions ….. First one on Starboard engine worked fine for a couple of days sthen I took boat out for a one hour cruise. After returning home plugged in for about 15 minutes then thought better and unplugged power. At boat today the pad is dead no heat at all.

2nd one would not stick to oil pan on Port engine ……adhesive seems defective. 3rd one is installed this am port engine and not  used yet. I am waiting 24 hours per instructions.

Anybody else have experience with Zero Start? Good or bad? Does SBMar have the old stock from the original Wolverine Company? Cheers Jim Miller  2006 Meridian 6 CTA 8.3 Diamond 450    

[Matt Lyman]

Yep, it is the 250 watt wolverines. <br /><br />

they’re on the bottom of the pan for my QSC 8.3s. I’ll stick them on again, and just hope it was an air bubble that some how got trapped when I put them on. Thanks!

[Tony Athens]

Are these 250W wolverines or ? 

The oil pan is the heat sink and the pads need 100% contact to clean metal or they will cook.

The side of the oil works just as well as to protecting the pads but may not quite as efficient as to warming the oil in the pan..

Measurable difference—???? 

 

 

[Author]

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