do you run the engine blower all the time ?

[northshore]

I run them all the time so I don't have to worry about switching them back on if I slow down for some reason.

 

[Craigalan]

For me...if the engine is on, so is my blower.


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[Irie308]

I run my blowers from before the engines and generator start until after they are shut down. My blowers were loud as well until I replaced both with squirrel cage blowers. They are MUCH quieter. Some of the best money I spent so far.[/QUOTE
Harold if you still have the info on what you replaced them with please drop me a pm.

 

[DjDaoust]

How about you diesel folks? Do you run them continuously?

 

[Loose Cannon]

I am concerned after reading through this thread... worried that I have perhaps not been careful enough. I am diligent about running the blower for 5 minutes before starting the engine every time; however, must admit I do not run the blower once I am out of the marina even at slower speeds.

 

[BillK2632]

No, usually only run it at idle speeds (although I forget and leave it on sometimes). A running engine pulls way more air into the engine room than a blower can. Something I learned a few years back regarding blowers. Often people will run the blower while they are fueling - this can be bad and depending on where the fuel fill is, it can actually pull fumes into the bilge. I leave my blower off while fueling then run it after I have finished fueling. My boat is small and it is easy to open the engine hatch and give a sniff test. That is how I realized my fuel fill hose needed to be replaced - it was not leaking, but was permeated enough to let fumes into the engine room during fueling.

 

[La Maddalena]

I will reply as a new diesel owner. I was told by our broker when we took delivery of our new to us 2004 420 with Cummins that "the blowers aren't required at all since diesel fumes aren't explosive like gas, and that the blowers are installed on diesel boats only to meet Coast Guard requirements". (???) Nevertheless, I run the blowers prior to start up just like I did with our 360 with gas 8.1s, and then shut them off when we begin cruising. I also run them after fueling prior to starting the engines. Basically same procedure I followed on our gas boat under the "Can't hurt, might help" philosophy. I never use them when cruising around. Any advice or comments from other diesel boat owners are welcome.

 

[highslice]

No, usually only run it at idle speeds (although I forget and leave it on sometimes). A running engine pulls way more air into the engine room than a blower can. Something I learned a few years back regarding blowers. Often people will run the blower while they are fueling - this can be bad and depending on where the fuel fill is, it can actually pull fumes into the bilge. I leave my blower off while fueling then run it after I have finished fueling. My boat is small and it is easy to open the engine hatch and give a sniff test. That is how I realized my fuel fill hose needed to be replaced - it was not leaking, but was permeated enough to let fumes into the engine room during fueling.

Most of the marinas we frequent will kindly request that you turn your blower off before they will begin fueling. Reason, as stated, is the danger of fumes being pulled in. I always run my blower before start up.

 

[Lazy Daze]

thanks much for your opinions gents !

blower for safety readons of course - no exeptions.

but what about performance at wot with blower on vs off ? i never tried if there is a difference .

common sense dictates that the blower sucking air out the compartment acts against the engine sucking combustion air inside the compartment.

of course on the other hand sucking out the one side of inlets forces new air being sucked in the other side of the inlets...

Zero issues with performance. Maybe in theory...not in reality. Don't think about it too much - just go boating! :smt001

One thing (easy/cheap) you guys can do to quiet your existing blowers is to mount them on a piece of head hose - then mount the hose to boat. Also, take a look at what the blower is mounted to - if it's a hollow area, that will create more sound. But the head hose will help to isolate the sound. I noticed an obvious difference when I did this in my boat.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Run blower 5 min. before start, and at hull speeds.

 

[ttmott]

The engine room blowers are NOT rated for continuous use; they will suffer a short life cycle if you do.
There is no reason to use them after the engine(s) are started.
When underway the boat's design will provide fresh air to the engine room.
If you replaced them with a non-rated blower you risk igniting gasoline fumes with the blower itself.
The only time I use them in my boat (diesel) is in the summer to get the heat down in the engine room before I go down their or to help dry the room out after I clean it.

 

[Irie308]

I've always turned everything off while fueling then open the hatch for a visual and turn on the blowers before starting. However a few weeks ago a gas attendant told me I should leave my blowers on to reduce fume build up while fueling as well as possibly igniting built up fumes from starting the blowers. What's the consensus on running the blowers during or after fueling?

Most of the marinas we frequent will kindly request that you turn your blower off before they will begin fueling. Reason, as stated, is the danger of fumes being pulled in. I always run my blower before start up.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Most of the marinas we frequent will kindly request that you turn your blower off before they will begin fueling. Reason, as stated, is the danger of fumes being pulled in. I always run my blower before start up.

By rights on a gas boat the blower should not function while you are fueling. In fact nothing electrical should be functioning because the battery switch should be off. Unlike gas stations, most marinas use an old fashion nozzle that does not catch spills and certainly won't prevent gas fumes from escaping. Once fueling is done and the hose has been removed and the gas cap secured, they switch on the batteries and get the blowers working.

Henry

 

[Stee6043]

The engine room blowers are NOT rated for continuous use; they will suffer a short life cycle if you do.
There is no reason to use them after the engine(s) are started.
When underway the boat's design will provide fresh air to the engine room.
If you replaced them with a non-rated blower you risk igniting gasoline fumes with the blower itself.
The only time I use them in my boat (diesel) is in the summer to get the heat down in the engine room before I go down their or to help dry the room out after I clean it.

???

Copy/Paste from Sea Ray Sundancer owners manual:

4.

Run bilge blowers for at least 4 minutes before
attempting to start engine
Unlike your automobile engine which is naturally
ventilated even when it is not moving, your boat
engine compartment (the bilge) does not have
sufficient natural ventilation when the boat is not
moving or moving slowly. That is why the engine
compartment must have forced ventilation, using
the bilge blower, to remove potentially explosive
gasoline vapors, before the engine is started
and when the boat is moving slowly.
Because it may be difficult to remember to turn
on the bilge blower every time you slow down
the boat, it is recommended that the bilge blower
run all the time when the engines are running.

 

[Henry Boyd]

???

Copy/Paste from Sea Ray Sundancer owners manual:

4.

Run bilge blowers for at least 4 minutes before
attempting to start engine
Unlike your automobile engine which is naturally
ventilated even when it is not moving, your boat
engine compartment (the bilge) does not have
sufficient natural ventilation when the boat is not
moving or moving slowly. That is why the engine
compartment must have forced ventilation, using
the bilge blower, to remove potentially explosive
gasoline vapors, before the engine is started
and when the boat is moving slowly.
Because it may be difficult to remember to turn
on the bilge blower every time you slow down
the boat, it is recommended that the bilge blower
run all the time when the engines are running.

Once again I speak as the world's greatest cynic:

1. The blowers are not rated for continuos use. Its a fact. Root around and get the blower model number and look it up if you don't believe me.

2. When blowers fail from excessive use who makes money on the sale and installation? Sea Ray and its dealers.

Irie,

Next time a guy on the gas dock tells you to keep your blowers on while loading gas, leave immediately. That person has his head firmly and completely up his posterior.

Henry

 

[wish2fish]

What about when fueling?

I thought I read somewhere to shut blower down while fueling and then turning on when completed.

 

[Stee6043]

Once again I speak as the world's greatest cynic:

1. The blowers are not rated for continuos use. Its a fact. Root around and get the blower model number and look it up if you don't believe me.

2. When blowers fail from excessive use who makes money on the sale and installation? Sea Ray and its dealers.

Irie,

Next time a guy on the gas dock tells you to keep your blowers on while loading gas, leave immediately. That person has his head firmly and completely up his posterior.

Henry

I'm going to guess this isn't your first time with this debate? I suppose there are plenty of items in the owners manual we don't really need to pay attention too. I just wonder why this one would be the one to ignore? It's a $25 blower from Atwood....

 

[Stee6043]

What about when fueling?

I thought I read somewhere to shut blower down while fueling and then turning on when completed.

To reference Sea Ray again the manual suggests the blower always get turned off during fueling but that it be turned back on after fueling to clear any fumes...and get run just about "all the time" during normal operation but that appears to be debatable.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I'm going to guess this isn't your first time with this debate? I suppose there are plenty of items in the owners manual we don't really need to pay attention too. I just wonder why this one would be the one to ignore? It's a $25 blower from Atwood....

To paraphrase the last section of the SR manual you pasted in: "If you are too stupid to remember to turn the blower on at low speeds, leave it on all the time." That by the way is a recommendation, suggesting the reader is free to make his own decision on the matter.

I don't disagree with running the blowers at low speeds, or before startup, so I am not suggesting to anyone to ignore the owner's manual.

Henry

 

[AMFM3]

Just to,throw fumes into the engine room of this discussion...

when you are refuelling, the following are required during the process:

- power sources turned off (therefore blower cannot run anyway)
- everyone off the boat
- all hatches and companion ways closed
- only person on board is the person refueling

therefore, the blower couldn't possibly run during refueling as the batteries are off. I can't think why anyone would think it's right in the first place!

Mark