-50 or -100 degrees

[Blue Pearl Captain]

It's my first winter and the previous owner used -50 degree coolant in the water and waste systems but used a -100 degree coolant in the motor, a water cooled Yanmar 9 HP. I thought -50 degree coolant would be fine for the engine in Kentucky (ave low 35.9 degrees with 3-5 days of sub-zero temps).
Then I read in West Marine's review for a -50 dregree prpylene glycol coolant, "
Provides burst protection to -50°F (-46°C) and freeze protection within a range of +12°F to +16°F (-11°C to -9°C)."

So.....-50 or -100 for the engine? Does anyone have a suggestion?

BTW, I put a SolarForce 15 watt solar charger and controller on board. I have 2 12v batteries in parallel. So I hooked up the charger and turned the switch to "Both".
The Best price I found was on Amaxon.com for the kit. I'll find out this winter if it works.

Smooth saling, all!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Search the archives for a recent discussion on this. Essentially, propylene glycol can contain some alcohol depending on the manufacturer. You don't want that/those brands. In terms of the engine, opinions vary but to be safe and ensure the engine coolant system fluid has rust inhibitors in it while in storage, why not simply use regular ethylene glycol. Cheaper usually, just as safe for the environment when handled properly and more effective.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Search the archives for a recent discussion on this. Essentially, propylene glycol can contain some alcohol depending on the manufacturer. You don't want that/those brands. In terms of the engine, opinions vary but to be safe and ensure the engine coolant system fluid has rust inhibitors in it while in storage, why not simply use regular ethylene glycol. Cheaper usually, just as safe for the environment when handled properly and more effective.

Thanks, Don. I appreciate your suggestions. I grew up in Clearwater...miss the Gulf Coast! Merry Christmas.

 

[Nodak7]

It's my first winter and the previous owner used -50 degree coolant in the water and waste systems but used a -100 degree coolant in the motor, a water cooled Yanmar 9 HP. I thought -50 degree coolant would be fine for the engine in Kentucky (ave low 35.9 degrees with 3-5 days of sub-zero temps).
Then I read in West Marine's review for a -50 dregree prpylene glycol coolant, "
Provides burst protection to -50°F (-46°C) and freeze protection within a range of +12°F to +16°F (-11°C to -9°C)."

So.....-50 or -100 for the engine? Does anyone have a suggestion?

BTW, I put a SolarForce 15 watt solar charger and controller on board. I have 2 12v batteries in parallel. So I hooked up the charger and turned the switch to "Both".
The Best price I found was on Amaxon.com for the kit. I'll find out this winter if it works.

Smooth saling, all!

Blue, FYI - we all use the -50 stuff up here for everything and no one has ever had an issue with it and we have had extended ambient temps of -40f.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Blue, FYI - we all use the -50 stuff up here for everything and no one has ever had an issue with it and we have had extended ambient temps of -40f.

Thanks and, BTW....that's pretty darn cold!!! Brrrrrrr!

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Ask the important question.

I worked at West Marine in central NJ a few seasons ago and we did an informal poll to find out customer's preferences and experiences. The main point distilled down to one question:

What are the odds of having 3-4 consecutive days of sustained temperatures of -20 F where you live?

We never heard anyone say that, using the -20 (cheapest) stuff, especially if they erred a little to a stronger mixture, they had any freezing problems whatsoever. Some people had slush-- but remember that even mild slush in the system doesn't mean frozen solid, and it does not damage the hard stuff.

* * *

As an aside, in early December 1982 we had a very nasty spell of sub-10-degree days. No one had expected it. As my dad lay dying in the hospital he asked my brother and me, 'Did anyone check on the boat?'

We both looked at each other like, 'doop!' So we went to Antigone, our Raider 33, that afternoon, climbed up 10 feet of ladder-- it was deep-draft-- with a can of automotive antifreeze in hand. We took off the intake hose, intending to start the engine, and found the raw-water pump slicked over in ice-- packed absolutely solid. The pump would not turn; the engine would not turn over. The toilet was likewise frozen stiff-- the handle would not budge.

I went to work next day and phoned the insurance agent. 'What are we covered for?'
'Everything.'
'What about... seasonal weather damage?'
'Everything.'

That season we had just 'reblocked' a customer's 2GM-- took everything off a cracked block and reinstalled it with a new one-- as warranty work. It cost (then) about $2500. I didn't worry about Antigone after that and there were no ill effects at all. The boat ran fine another six years and is still regularly sailed (by someone else).

I never told my dad I had been worried about it in the least. But he had a way of knowing such things.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

I worked at West Marine in central NJ a few seasons ago and we did an informal poll to find out customer's preferences and experiences. The main point distilled down to one question:

What are the odds of having 3-4 consecutive days of sustained temperatures of -20 F where you live?

We never heard anyone say that, using the -20 (cheapest) stuff, especially if they erred a little to a stronger mixture, they had any freezing problems whatsoever. Some people had slush-- but remember that even mild slush in the system doesn't mean frozen solid, and it does not damage the hard stuff.

* * *

As an aside, in early December 1982 we had a very nasty spell of sub-10-degree days. No one had expected it. As my dad lay dying in the hospital he asked my brother and me, 'Did anyone check on the boat?'

We both looked at each other like, 'doop!' So we went to Antigone, our Raider 33, that afternoon, climbed up 10 feet of ladder-- it was deep-draft-- with a can of automotive antifreeze in hand. We took off the intake hose, intending to start the engine, and found the raw-water pump slicked over in ice-- packed absolutely solid. The pump would not turn; the engine would not turn over. The toilet was likewise frozen stiff-- the handle would not budge.

I went to work next day and phoned the insurance agent. 'What are we covered for?'
'Everything.'
'What about... seasonal weather damage?'
'Everything.'

That season we had just 'reblocked' a customer's 2GM-- took everything off a cracked block and reinstalled it with a new one-- as warranty work. It cost (then) about $2500. I didn't worry about Antigone after that and there were no ill effects at all. The boat ran fine another six years and is still regularly sailed (by someone else).

I never told my dad I had been worried about it in the least. But he had a way of knowing such things.

Great story, Diana, and I appreciate the advice. We don't get sustained sub-zero temps here and I checked with the marina guys, They use the pink -50 degree anti-freeze in the pipes, sewer, boats, etc without problems. Thanks for telling me about your father. It sounds like you two were quite close. Have a Merry Christmas!