420AC Thread

[Gimme Time]

Tony.

Your on board heatpumps will eventually kick out/off on low pressure with colder inlet water temperatures usally around 40 degree EWT+- so don't count on them for any source nor would I leave them on during the winter for any reason. I can and do use mine till the EWT kicks one of them off line then go 100% boat smart heaters.

John

[Tonysca6]

John,
Thanks, didn't think about that. I guess I have one other question, with using the portable electric heaters do you completely winterize the boat or just the water systems? The marina is always walking the docks & said that if there is any heavy snow they will handle it; they are also going to put bubblers around the boat. Being new to Bay not really sure what to expect.
Twyant, will check into the trans cooler as you mentioned. Ran the boat this weekend with trip up the Chester River, no real issues except for some sooting that I assume was due to following wind.

Tony
Crazy Lady

[Tonysca6]

Hello all,
I have question since I cannot get to the boat for a few weeks. Is there a 120v outlet available in the engine room?? I have never seen one & have not had a need to look for one until now. I am planning to put a boat safe heater in the engine room, since I am leaving the boat in the water and did not want to winterize the engines or generatorand have no problem rewiring if needed. Looking for advise as to size also, 650 watt or the 1000 watt? I am also planning to put two heaters in the salon since I will probably not be able to depend on the heat pumps when water temp drops below 40F. Thanks for any help.

Tony
Crazy Lady

[bigcam]

I'm just 50 miles north of you on the North East River. I keep my boat in the water 12 months under a covered shed. I would not dream of not winterizing the most expensive parts of my boat and depending on electricity to prevent freezing. Been doing this for 30+ years. Proceed at your own risk. Eastern Shore power has been less than 100% reliable.

[Gimme Time]

Tony,

I did not have a receptacle in the engine room and would not expect to find one on any Sea Ray from the factory nor would I install one with gas engines. I see you have 3116 Kitty Cats and I installed (2) Wolverine Oil pan heaters on my 3127TA's 3 years ago and recommend this arrangement. First off the engines love being nice and toasty and the engine block heats up and radiants heat throughout the entire engine room. As you can see I'm probably 50+ miles Southwest from you and yes you always run the risk of a power outage. With the engine blocks being heated even if the power goes off for a while you will have resideual heat energy that will last a lot longer than just a air source heating system will provide.

While I'm a 2 hour drive from home to the boat the marina has people around most all the time and I have other backup arrangements made in the event of a power failure. Worst case the gen set gets started up by people on site. The Wolverine heaters can be found on line and they have a sizing recommendation that you can follow. I'm on the boat 45+ weekends a year and highly recommend the belly pan heaters.

PS. Make sure you block off all your engine room as well as other vent intakes and exhaust covers with foam rubber or something to keep the heat in the boat. In addition I re-plumbed the domestic water piping to the various fixtures so I could drain down & close off the wash down for the anchor locker, deck shower, sink and other items as I use water from the 120 gallon tank on board all winter for bathing and other water needs. It takes some changes but it can be done.
John

[Tonysca6]

Hello everyone, I guess our thread is not to active? I have question, the blower on the aft cabin a/c needs replaced, 5 years old. The a/c unit is located under the sofa on the starboard side and tucked in the corner under the plywood cushion support. Did any of you need to change or replace this unit, if so how in the heck did you get to it. My first thoughts are to disconnect the wiring and the flex duct and slide the unit to area in the hole to work on it? Alternate is to remove most of the vertical cushion, then the horizontal plywood support to allow full acces or or get the saw out and trim the corner out and figure a way to refasten?
I had the marina look at it, they want $385 for labor (3 hrs) & $640 for the blower, I checked out the part pricing and it is inline. May be hiring the mechanic could be the best solution. Any thoughts.

[Carver370]

I ran into a similar issue with my aft cabin blower motor. I was priced 600 for the blower motor alone. I got back to the motor and removed it, I found that it was a common electric motor and I called a local electrical store, they found the exact motor for $22.00.

[Tonysca6]

Ray, I was thinking of that also, getting to it is the PITA. Just took another look and will most likely cut cut an in a new access panel in the plywood panel & jus replace the motor. Thanks

[Sea Ray Mark]

Can't help you with the access issue but I was also able to repalce the blower for about $20 - $30. I found them at an appliance repair place but I think Graingers also had them.