How does a marine heat exchanger work?

 

A heat exchanger is a common item used to dispel or capture heat and a heat exchanger is named differently for certain applications. For example, in a car the main engine heat exchanger is called the radiator and the secondary heat exchanger is referred to as the heater core. The primary function of a marine heat exchanger is to transfer heat from one medium to another while keeping the mediums separated. Internal combustion engines, gearboxes, large electric motors, and refrigeration create large amounts of undesirable heat.

 

Dispelling the heat with water is an effective and efficient method. For vessels this is easily accomplished because of the abundance of water. Raw water or water taken directly from outside was successfully used to cool equipment and is still practiced today albeit on a minor scale. Using raw water has its drawbacks that can damage, clog, or corrode the inner cooling channels of the equipment. A heat exchanger is used to prevent raw water damage from happening and has some added benefits as well. Introducing a heat exchanger in the cooling system creates two or more independent conduit loops. In the case of the combustion engine, this allows the operator to use a special formulated coolant solution that stays liquid during freezing conditions, reduces sludge, and prevents corrosion in the cooling passageways. In a nutshell the raw water circulates through the heat exchanger a cools the coolant that is used to cool the engine.

 

Heat exchangers are available in all shapes, sizes, and configuration making the option of a so-called universal marine heat exchanger difficult to manufacture. At first glance a Chevy 350 marine heat exchanger might look the same as a Chrysler marine heat exchanger, a Crusader marine heat exchanger, or a Mercruiser marine heat exchanger, but rest assured, they might not be because each engine requires different heat dissipation, needs customized coolant flow and performs efficiently at different temperatures.

 

Marine Heat Exchangers

 

We offer replacement or upgraded marine heat exchangers for boats with sterndrives including; Mercruisier, Volvo Penta and OMC. New replacement heat exchangers are offered for your inboard powered boat with an aging or worn marine heat exchanger, including; Atomic 4, Pleasurecraft, Crusader, Mercruisier, Chrysler, OMC and Chris-Craft. Go2marine also offers a complete line of diesel heat exchangers from the diminutive Westerbeke diesel to the substantial Caterpillar and Detroit Diesels.

 

It might appear simple when considering installing a heat exchanger into a system that does not have one, but there are some important engineering details that must be met to achieve predictable results. Consulting with a heat exchanger manufacturer such Seakamp marine, a manufacturer of OEM and aftermarket marine heat exchangers would provide a wealth of information that could possibly be all that is needed to complete a new installation. For boats with internal gasoline engines that do not have a closed loop cooling system it is possible to add a heat exchanger without much difficulty because kits are available for many of the common engine types.

 

Heat exchangers for diesel engines are not much different for their gasoline counter parts but here again a lot of engineering has been done to assure that the correct cooling is achieved for the engine across its entire operating range. Replacement heat exchanger parts, or cores should be available from the engine manufactures although there is a reliable aftermarket industry some of which supply the original engine manufacturers with parts to specification.

 

Seakamp builds heat exchanger tubes and internal plates which are constructed of either copper or longer lasting copper/nickel alloy for inboards, sterndrives and diesel inboard marine engines. Seakamp, manufacturerd in the USA, also builds replacement Sen-dure, San Juan Engineering, and many other aftermarket manufacturer's heat exchangers.

 

Seakamp brings three generations of experience to manufacturing heat exchangers for marine engines. Seakamp builds heat exchangers from either copper or 90/10 copper nickel alloy for nearly any engine application fitted to pleasure and commercial vessels. Custom orders meeting the unique needs of the vessel can be manufactured and supplied in a timely manner; we know that you can’t wait weeks for a replacement heat exchanger!

 

 

Heat Exchanger Construction

 

Heat exchangers are typically constructed of copper cooling tubes or of a copper nickel alloy called cupro-nickel. The copper nickel alloy is most commonly done in a 90/10 ratio although 70/30 is available in limited applications. Heat exchangers built from 90/10 cupro-nickel tubes offer increased resistance to salt water corrosion and biofouling. Cupronickel does not corrode in seawater, because its electrical potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater. Almost any marine heat exchanger Go2marine offers can be modified for your custom needs; including size, materials, brackets and fittings. Contact our engine parts specialists to help you with your order.