Anyone replaced their OEM blowers with "squirrel cage" types??

[Jimmy Buoy]

I have twin plastic "in line" blowers that transmit a high pitched buzz throughout the boat. Using them while running my Westerbeke Genset is annoying since the blowers are much louder than the generator itself. :smt013

I've considered swapping both blowers for two squirrel cage, continuous use blowers. From what I've read, they are much quieter but use more amps. The additional power isn't a concern since either the mains or the genset would be running in conjunction with the blowers. My concern lies with the new blowers running off the same OEM wiring used for the smaller blowers. Could this result in overheating the wiring or switch and cause a dangerous situation? :wow:

Is this a real concern??? Anyone ever done this??? :huh:

 

[kaz911]

I have twin plastic "in line" blowers that transmit a high pitched buzz throughout the boat. Using them while running my Westerbeke Genset is annoying since the blowers are much louder than the generator itself. :smt013

I've considered swapping both blowers for two squirrel cage, continuous use blowers. From what I've read, they are much quieter but use more amps. The additional power isn't a concern since either the mains or the genset would be running in conjunction with the blowers. My concern lies with the new blowers running off the same OEM wiring used for the smaller blowers. Could this result in overheating the wiring or switch and cause a dangerous situation? :wow:

Is this a real concern??? Anyone ever done this??? :huh:

I have 2 new "squirrel cage" blowers waiting for me to loose a couple of lbs before I can reach in and install them.

The amp difference is from 6-7 amp for the Rule Turbo blowers to about 11 amps for the Jabsco blowers - so wire size does matter. But I have not measured the real amps yet. I am considering new wires plus a relay start stop so you have less voltage drop. I have also looked for a temperature/GAS(Petrol) vapour sensor so I can have them run "automatic". But first step is getting them in there.

 

[roadkingh1]

I used the same wire (14 gauge) but you may want to check to see what size you have. I also replaced the two blowers with Jabscos. They are very quiet and I leave them on all day. I install them 4 years ago and they are still running strong.

Jabsco 4" 250 Cfm Flexmount Heavy​ ​ ​ ​ ​

35770-0092​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Hodges Marine​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2​ ​ ​ ​ ​

$149.44​ ​ ​ ​ ​

$298.88​ ​ ​ ​ ​

 

[JimFromMD]

I have twin plastic "in line" blowers that transmit a high pitched buzz throughout the boat. Using them while running my Westerbeke Genset is annoying since the blowers are much louder than the generator itself. :smt013

I've considered swapping both blowers for two squirrel cage, continuous use blowers. From what I've read, they are much quieter but use more amps. The additional power isn't a concern since either the mains or the genset would be running in conjunction with the blowers. My concern lies with the new blowers running off the same OEM wiring used for the smaller blowers. Could this result in overheating the wiring or switch and cause a dangerous situation? :wow:

Is this a real concern??? Anyone ever done this??? :huh:

I've been curious if the blower noise is from the blowers themselves or the air whooshing out / being moved? Mine are the originial inline type and are somewhat loud in the bilge and outside the cockpit.

 

[HUMPH]

You need to make sure anything you put in the ER is rated to be in an area with gas fumes. Please be careful...

 

[kaz911]

You need to make sure anything you put in the ER is rated to be in an area with gas fumes. Please be careful...

The Jabsco 35770 squirrel blowers are ignition protected and certified for engine room installation. They are also continuous duty blowers where the Rule Turbo are not.

And Jim - most of the noise are from the blowers. The ducts add a bit but nothing compared with the Rule inline blowers. Just listen to your A/C fan - that is a squirrel blower that moves a lot of air. And that (at least on mine) is very quiet when the compressor is not running.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

You need to make sure anything you put in the ER is rated to be in an area with gas fumes. Please be careful...

Thanks for the note Ken. I would only consider using blowers specifically designed for engine room applications for sure!

I've seen these type of blowers used on larger Formula PC Cruisers. Mine are easy to access, but I'm not sure how to determine the existing wire gauge.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I used the same wire (14 gauge) but you may want to check to see what size you have. I also replaced the two blowers with Jabscos. They are very quiet and I leave them on all day. I install them 4 years ago and they are still running strong.

Jabsco 4" 250 Cfm Flexmount Heavy​

35770-0092​

Hodges Marine​

2​

$149.44​

$298.88​

Thanks for the tip! I assume that like on my boat, both of your blowers operate with just one switch? It would appear that having the increased amp load isn't creating a problem with the OEM setup.

 

[roadkingh1]

Thanks for the tip! I assume that like on my boat, both of your blowers operate with just one switch? It would appear that having the increased amp load isn't creating a problem with the OEM setup.

I used the same switch but they do not operate the blowers themselves. Because you have only one switch for both (rated 20 amp) and each blower draws in 11 amps, I designed a relay bank to operate the blowers. The switch activates the relay (auto 30 amp rated) and main contacts pass the 12 volts though for the blowers. Also since the relays are located under my dash it does not present a problem.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Jim, could the mounting method be causing the noise? Meaning, where/what they're mounted to may be amplifying the sound. A few months ago I moved my blower to a different area to allow for moving my batteries to allow for better engine access and storage. I mounted the blower using the same method that the fresh water pump is often mounted - I used a length of head hose. While noise wasn't my main issue, it was a pleasant surprise to note that it was indeed quieter.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I used the same switch but they do not operate the blowers themselves. Because you have only one switch for both (rated 20 amp) and each blower draws in 11 amps, I designed a relay bank to operate the blowers. The switch activates the relay (auto 30 amp rated) and main contacts pass the 12 volts though for the blowers. Also since the relays are located under my dash it does not present a problem.

Ted, thanks for the great idea!

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Jim, could the mounting method be causing the noise? Meaning, where/what they're mounted to may be amplifying the sound. A few months ago I moved my blower to a different area to allow for moving my batteries to allow for better engine access and storage. I mounted the blower using the same method that the fresh water pump is often mounted - I used a length of head hose. While noise wasn't my main issue, it was a pleasant surprise to note that it was indeed quieter.

Lazy, I have already remounted the blowers using rubber spacers but not tubing. It still sounds like a pair of cheap hotel hair dryers gone wild when they are running! They are both currently mounted at the top of the bulkhead separating my engine room from the fuel cell area. This is not a full bulkhead since it it open at the top to allow access to the top of the fuel cells. Maybe I'll just try mounting them elsewhere first using the "tubing" method...

 

[Lazy Daze]

I've never personally used the squirrel cages, so I can't offer any comments based on experience, but I also have read nothing but good things about them. So I don't want you to think I'm saying don't go that route. I just usually like to try and figure out a way to accomplish the task without buying something new - money aside, I just like trying to figure things out and make them better using what I have on hand.

Here's something else to think about - especially if more of the noise is eminating from the exhaust area rather than the blowers themselves. Noise tends to get cancelled out rather well when it try's to go around corners/bends, yet airflow will move through those same corners/bends easily... How straight are the exhaust-side hoses?

Another thought - are any of the fan blades broken?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Oh, something like 3/4" automotive heater hose would also make a good test candidate - and it's cheap and readily available.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I've never personally used the squirrel cages, so I can't offer any comments based on experience, but I also have read nothing but good things about them. So I don't want you to think I'm saying don't go that route. I just usually like to try and figure out a way to accomplish the task without buying something new - money aside, I just like trying to figure things out and make them better using what I have on hand.

Here's something else to think about - especially if more of the noise is eminating from the exhaust area rather than the blowers themselves. Noise tends to get cancelled out rather well when it try's to go around corners/bends, yet airflow will move through those same corners/bends easily... How straight are the exhaust-side hoses?

Another thought - are any of the fan blades broken?

I'm with you as far as avoiding needless expendatures! The noise seems to be eminating from the boat's structure though. As you can see from my signature photo, the vents are up on the radar arch and there is less noise there than there is in the cockpit. There are at least 2 bends between the blower and the exhaust grate. Broken fan blades are something that I've not considered, but are easy enough to check. Thanks!

 

[Ike]

Keep in mind that bends reduce air flow. You want to keep the vent hose as straight as possible, or have gentle bends. A sharp 90 deg turn can reduce airflow to half the blower rating. By the way, if you need to increase airflow, go from a 3" blower to a 4". That inch more in diameter doubles the air flow.

 

[kaz911]

Keep in mind that bends reduce air flow. You want to keep the vent hose as straight as possible, or have gentle bends. A sharp 90 deg turn can reduce airflow to half the blower rating. By the way, if you need to increase airflow, go from a 3" blower to a 4". That inch more in diameter doubles the air flow.

Sea Ray has kindly made my exhaust up with 1 x 180 turn and 1 x 90 turn... so once I straighten them out i'll let you know how it works.

 

[Ike]

I'll assume that was tongue in cheek. LOL I did straighten the hose on my 1972 190. It uses a squirrel cage (centrifugal) blower. What counts is the out put at the vent end. Mine increased a lot. But right now that doesn't matter because my 40 year old blower died. I ordered a replacement but it will take a week to get here.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just thought of something, Jim... probably the easiest way to quickly tell if the mount set-up is causing the sound issue... Remove the blower and have someone hold it while they're in the engine bay, with the hatch closed.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Just of something, Jim... probably the easiest way to quickly tell if the mount set-up is causing the sound issue... Remove the blower and have someone hold it while they're in the engine bay, with the hatch closed.

Good idea! Thanks Dennis.