Re: Engine cooling gurus weigh in pls
I'm completely shutting my cooling system off from raw/fresh water in the system. I have a log type manifold intake/exhaust. I have plumbed the cooling system through a aluminum keel cooler, this is the only point at which btus will be extracted from the coolant.
I haven't put it in the water yet I'm hoping the cooler will keep the water from boiling in my engine. the question is; will the aluminum keel cooler remove as many/enough btus from the coolant as the engine and manifold will be putting in. Going to find out.
it is a good size keel cooler with a lot of surface area 10 or 11 sf.
Not knowing what type or size (HP) your engine is, assuming there is only one. Also would need to know the low and high of the water temp during use. For slower moving vessels Ive read they work well, and no longer need of a raw water pump and maintenance is the plus. There are quite a number of variables which need to be calculated, as probably the reason for your question. I?m no expert but from what I gather here is what I have found.
For medium boat speeds of between 6 to 10 mph, and water temps up to 65 deg. F., figure on 0.30 sq. ft. per horsepower.
For medium boat speeds of between 6 to 10 mph, and water temps above 65 deg. F., figure on 0.40 sq. ft. per horsepower.
So, for example, A 55-hp motor usual water temperature is about 65 degrees, 55hp X 0.30 sq. ft. = 16.5 sq. ft. Use 1? pipe, it has 0.26 sq. ft. of surface area per linear foot, so 16.5 / 0.26 = 63.5 linear feet of cooling pipe. Put it in 4 lengths which you need aboutt 16 feet of clear hull surface.
THE ABOVE IS A RULE OF THUMB AND BY NO MEANS SHOULD BE USED AS ACTUAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.
I would recommend asking these
The Walter Machine Machine Co., Inc. guys to get it correct
Or here is what CAT recommends
http://www.cat.com/cda/files/3375380/7/Cooling its a PDF. The last page contains work sheets for calculations.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
