Operation Considerations

You will be fleet ready if you follow a few guidelines: heat, storage, monitor and test

Heat: Many customers have reported that their BoatSafe® bilge heaters operate more efficiently when they cover the bilge blower vents on the boat. Some cover the vents by stuffing rags or foam rubber into them. Others use plastic and tape to cover the vents. The best method we have found is to have a canvas or upholstery shop make simple and inexpensive snap-on covers to fit over the vents. Remove the vent covers when using your boat and replace them when you are done. This will keep cold, damp winter wind out of the engine compartment and allow the bilge heater to perform to its full potential. Additionally, it is recommended that you do not mount the bilge heater directly in front of the bilge blower vents, even if the vents are covered, to minimize heat escaping through the vents.

Storage: A boat stored on a lift will get much colder than a boat stored in the water. If you store your boat on a lift, you should cover the bilge blower vents AND the outdrive unit. Again, a canvas or upholstery shop can make a cover for the outdrive unit that snaps shut at the top. Or, you can use a heavy mil plastic garbage bag to slip over the outdrive unit and tie off at the top. This will minimize heat dissipation from the metal of the outdrive unit.

Monitor: should monitor the temperature ranges in your engine compartment. This can easily be accomplished by installing a min/max thermometer and checking it each time you visit your boat. Since heat rises, the best placement of a thermometer is in the lowest point of the engine compartment on the side opposite the bilge heater. RadioShack® sells a small min/max thermometer in the $20.00 – $30.00 price range. A min/max thermometer is also available through the Mariner-Store.com.

Test: The BoatSafe® engine compartment bilge heaters should be tested at least biannually and especially at the start of your cold season. Testing should be performed with Freeze spray or beginning with the 2008 BSAT 750 Watt bilge heater, with the Press Test button. Boatsafe® bilge heaters no longer ship with Freeze spray since the spray itself is a shipping hazard. It can be purchased at RadioShack®, an authorized Boatsafe® dealer or through the Mariner-Store.com.

Footprint Choice: With the FootprintChoice® option available on the 2011 Jr. 300 & 600, MAX 1000 and the MiniMax 400  bilge heaters, any orientation  is possible. Mounting the bilge heater horizontally as low as possible is the optimal thermodynamic orientation, but other orientations may be better suited for tight spaces. Remember, hot air rises so lower is better!