Engine compartment temperature

[dalee62]

I put a thermometer beside my house batteries out of curiosity which are under the engine cover. The starter battery I moved to the back. After a 5 hour non stop run the temp was 140 degrees. I am now worried about what this heat is doing to my house batteries. I now heat is a killer but I am not a specialist in this area. I am now debating whether to install an exhaust fan or not. I have not decided whether I will turn it on manually or by a pressure switch off the oil pressure sensor.

Has anyone else with a 21 ventilated their engine compartment for this reason.

Dave

 

[SGIDAVE]

I put a thermometer beside my house batteries out of curiosity which are under the engine cover. The starter battery I moved to the back. After a 5 hour non stop run the temp was 140 degrees. I am now worried about what this heat is doing to my house batteries. I now heat is a killer but I am not a specialist in this area. I am now debating whether to install an exhaust fan or not. I have not decided whether I will turn it on manually or by a pressure switch off the oil pressure sensor.

Has anyone else with a 21 ventilated their engine compartment for this reason.

Dave

Hello Dave,

I had similar concerns about the batteries being exposed to heat. I left the start battery under the motor box but relocated the house battery to the port/aft...under the seat. In the new location I could easily increase the house bank to 2 x 6V golf cart batteries in series. As you know, there is no space under the motor box to add more house battery. I did the opposite of what you did as far as moving the batteries around. I figured since I have more invested in the house bank moving that out of the heat was more important. Another benefit was this move GREATLY simplified my wiring scheme.

I would be surprised if a fan lowered the temp much. Unless you are talking about a 6" hole forward with another 6" hole aft with a noisy squirrel cage fan moving LOTS of air. With the house battery/s gone, a single GR 24 Start battery every 3-4 years is cheap and I doubt venting the motor box will give you much more back in terms of extending your battery life. And my opinion is worth about what you paid for it... 😉

Good luck,

david

 

[captnmunro]

140 sounds pretty cool compaired to the temps under the hood of our cars and trucks. I do agree, the cooler the better.