Bilge Blowers

BobFino

Active Member
SILVER Sponsor
Aug 26, 2010
189
Virginia Beach
Boat Info
Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge 2005.
Engines
MAN 900
Twin Disc MG-5114
On my 2005 550 Sedan Bridge my starboard blower went out. However, at the breaker switch I am showing the port side at 24 volts and the starboard breaker switch at 12 volts. Before I go out and make the purchase and crawl in there does that sound right. One would be 12 volt and the other 24 volt? Sorry if this sounds crazy but that is what I am showing on the volt meter.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Why not remove the old one and buy an exact replacement?
 
Once I crawl in to reach the blower it would be great to have the replacement and get it done. I might just have to take the old one out first.
 
Once I crawl in to reach the blower it would be great to have the replacement and get it done. I might just have to take the old one out first.
In my opinion i can't believe they would run two different volts for basically the same devise, Try getting another voltage tester and better yet go back to the switch and see what you have coming in and out of the switch!
Although i have seen some crazy things in boating:D
 
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I thought the same thing, afraid I will need to crawl in there and remove the part and see what I have. General discussion around the dock is the same thought, cant imagine they would do that but we have all seen some crazy stuff.
 
Not likely that they would be different if just one switch at the helm activates them both, but if you have separate breakers for each bilge blower then who knows how they may have been set up.
My bet is 12 volt if just about everything else on the boat is 12 volt. Particularly the stuff the helm switches control.
What you can do if you’re not sure about the voltage of the DC stuff on the boat is to look to see how the batteries in the banks are connected to each other.
Particularly the bank that powers the stuff at the helm switches, or the bilge blower switch.
Are they in Parallel with positive to positive and negative to negative giving you 12 volts, or are there two batteries connected in series with a positive on one of the batteries being connected to the negative terminal on the second battery to give you 24 volts?
If you have a separate dedicated bank just for a bow Thruster, that bank may very well be 24 volt (batteries connected in series) in a boat the size of yours because it would require the extra thrust a 24 volt thruster would likely need to move that big heavy bow.
If you do find that a bank is set up in series then turn that bank off and see if that eliminates power to the bilge blower switch.
 
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The engine blower electrical system is not that simple. The helm and electrical panel switches operate a blower control module which is supplied by two independent circuit breakers in the main circuit breaker panel which are intern fed by your independent battery banks. You will not get any voltage at the switches as they return DC ground (the white wire) to the blower module. Also, the red wire feeds the lamps on the switches so when the module has the blowers on that lamp illuminates. The blower module should be inside that main circuit breaker panel. Also, the wiring between the blower module and blowers run through the fire system shutdown module so, in the event of your fire extinguishing system discharges, all the engine, generator, and blower operation is terminated. This is a picture inside of the 52DB's main circuit breaker panel and you can see the blower module above the fire system shutdown module. And, if you decide the blowers need replacing you should look at the Jabsco continuous duty squirrel cage blowers. They will require a larger circuit breaker but are quiet and can run continuously.
Engine Blower Module Small.JPG
 
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They are both 24V blower motors. The '05 and '06 Sea Ray part numbers are the same and both years are listed as 24V. The blowers are available from Defender. They are Jabsco continuous duty blowers, model number 35770-0094, Defender Item number 90182210A24V. One interesting note; both the '05 and '06 Sea ray Parts Manual calls out a 3" blower, but I ordered and installed a 4" blower. I don't recall there being an issue but that was 3 years ago and I have CRS. This was a 15-20 minute job. Not a difficult access.
 
Thank you for all the info. I did purchase the 24 volt Jabsco and plan to do the install this weekend. The hose is a 4" line.
Thanks again
 

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