PPT offers Fresh Water Cooling Benefits, Fresh Water Cooling Systems, Fresh Water Cooling Trouble Shooting, Fresh Water Cooling Tips

Fresh Water Cooling: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: What is Fresh-Water Cooling?

A: It is the marine version of the cooling system in your car. Most marine engines are converted from a non-marine engine that was designed to have clean non-corrosive antifreeze coolant circulating between the engine and a "radiator".  The marine version of this cooling system is called Fresh-Water Cooling, and the radiator is called a Heat Exchanger.  Raw (sea) water instead of air passes through the heat exchanger and absorbs the heat from the engine.

Many marine engines use the initially less expensive, Raw-Water-cooling system rather than Fresh Water Cooling.  In this case, polluted corrosive seawater is pumped directly into the engine.  The Raw-Water eats at the very base of a marine engine causing irreparable damage.

Q: What benefits will I get from Fresh Water Cooling?

A: There are several important benefits:  
   

LONGER ENGINE LIFE DUE TO:

- No corrosion - Most marine engines "rust out" rather than "wear out".  By replacing corrosive Raw-Water with antifreeze solution, you will prevent corrosion damage.

- No scale - Complete elimination of scale build up inside the water passages of the engine.  The salts that exist in seawater, as well as "hard" fresh-water create scale that will restrict proper coolant flow and heat transfer.

PROPER ENGINE TEMPERATURE - For best engine life and performance your car engine operates at a temperature much higher than a Raw-Water cooled marine engine.  By converting to Fresh Water Cooling, you can bring the engine temperature up to its designed operating temperature.  This, in turn, will give you:

- Improved fuel economy

- Less engine wear

- No crankcase condensation

- No oil dilution

- No sludge

SIMPLIFIED WINTERIZING - By keeping antifreeze solution in your engine all year round.

EASY GALLEY WATER AND CABIN HEAT - Galley water heaters and cabin heaters utilizing excess engine heat are easily added to a PPT/MONITOR Fresh Water Cooling system. 

Q: Should I have Fresh Water Cooling if I keep my boat in fresh-water?

A: Yes, to simplify winterizing, eliminate all corrosion and debris damage, and maintain proper engine temperature. Although lake and river water is not as harmful as seawater, it contains salts, pollutants, mud, sand, and marine organisms, which can be damaging to an engine.

Q: I will probably sell my boat before I have any problems, why should I convert to Fresh Water Cooling?

A: The trade-in value of a boat with Fresh Water Cooling is much higher. A Fresh Water Cooling system is the best way to defuse the time bomb that a Raw-Water cooled engine represents to a potential buyer.  Raw-water corrosion damage is completely hidden and impossible to measure.  A Fresh Water Cooling system suggests that there are no unpleasant surprises waiting.  Fresh Water Cooling also suggests that you are knowledgeable and took good care of the engine.

Q: My engine is several years old.  Does it make sense to convert to Fresh Water Cooling?

A: Definitely.  By installing Fresh Water Cooling on an older engine, you will prevent continued damage and you will enjoy all the other benefits from Fresh Water Cooling.

Q: How much longer will Fresh Water Cooling engines last?

A: It is impossible to say. Water conditions and, therefore, Raw-Water corrosion rates vary from one location to the next.  Since Raw-Water damage is internal and completely hidden, there is no accurate way to measure it and predict when the engine is going to fail.  With an average of no more than 50 hours annually on pleasure boats, an engine that is Fresh Water Cooling and well maintained should last decades rather than years.

Q: How can I get galley water heat and/or cabin heat through Fresh Water Cooling?

A: It is a simple addition. A Fresh Water Cooling marine engine provides heat in the same way as your car engine.  A full range of galley water heaters and cabin air heaters can be installed with an easy do-it-yourself plumbing job.

Q: Why do some boat dealers say that Fresh Water Cooling is not necessary?

A: It depends on what you mean by necessary. Fresh Water Cooling is not necessary in the short-term.  Neither is changing your oil and filter and many other things that give your engine maximum life and performance.  The benefits of Fresh Water Cooling are long-term.  In order to keep the cost of a new boat down, some dealers hesitate to recommend options that are not immediately necessary.

Q: Why isn't Fresh Water Cooling standard from the engine manufacturer?

A: It is simply a matter of cost.  The small boat building business is very cost competitive.  Most small boat builders, to keep costs down, specify less expensive Raw-Water cooled engines.  Improvements such as Fresh Water Cooling are usually left to the owner's option.

Q: I thought that Fresh Water Cooling was primarily for larger boats.

A: Fresh Water Cooling is for larger AND smaller boats. Factory Fresh Water Cooling engines are usually installed in larger, more expensive boats.  The additional cost is low in proportion to the total cost of the boat.

In smaller boats, the engine represents a far larger proportion of the boat's total value.  The owner therefore should be more concerned with the condition and value of his engine, or he will pay for it in the long run in the form of premature re-powering or lack of resale value.

Q: Are there different types of Fresh Water Cooling?

A: PPT/MONITOR systems COME IN TWO VARIETIES. Carefully make an overall comparison before making a decision. Select Link: 1/2 System versus Full System Comparison

FULL SYSTEMS COOL THE BLOCK AND MANIFOLD.  In full systems, the engine block and the exhaust manifolds are included in the antifreeze system.  The exhaust elbows, where the Raw-Water exits through the exhaust system, always remain on the Raw-Water side.

Full systems may not be possible on all engines due to lack of proper water connections on the exhaust manifolds and lack of Raw-Water pump capacity.

Typically, full systems are more expensive in terms of hardware and installation.

HALF SYSTEMS COOL ONLY THE BLOCK.  In half systems, the most expensive part of the engine, the block is on the antifreeze system.  Exhaust manifolds remain on the Raw-Water side. When replacement manifolds are available at a reasonable cost, half systems are often the most cost effective.

Half systems are typically less expensive to buy and much easier to install. 

Q: Will Fresh Water Cooling affect the basic engine warranty?

A: There is no reason why it should. There is nothing in a PPT/MONITOR Fresh Water Cooling system that can do harm to the engine as long as the system is functioning normally.  Because of our engineered high performance design, our systems have a very high cooling safety margin.

Q: Why choose a PPT/MONITOR Fresh Water Cooling system?

A:  There are several reasons:

HIGHEST COOLING CAPACITY.   PPT/MONITOR Fresh Water Cooling systems are engineered to have maximum cooling capacity enabling them to function effectively even in warm southern waters and at full engine load.

TOP QUALITY.  PPT/MONITOR heat exchangers are of all copper alloy construction manufactured to the highest industry standards.

EASY TO INSTALL.  The typical PPT/MONITOR system takes only 1-2 hours to install using ordinary hand tools.  No need to haul the boat from the water.  The kits are complete with all the components necessary for conversion, and detailed illustrated instructions.

SO AFFORDABLE, A SYSTEM THAT IT PAYS FOR ITSELF.  The engine is the most expensive component in a boat that has limited life.  Therefore, the condition of the engine will determine the overall value of your boat.  Boats with Fresh Water Cooling enjoy a premium value far above the cost of a PPT/MONITOR Fresh Water Cooling conversion. 

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE AND TWO-YEAR WARRANTY.  PPT/MONITOR Products offer a 30-day money back guarantee for kits returned in original unused condition.  An installed kit has a full two-year warranty against defects in material or workmanship.

TOLL FREE PHONE NUMBER (866) 335-3396 FOR INFORMATION AND SERVICE BACK UP