Bilge Blower

[Sam Bacon]

Quick question, as a new boat owner, I read in my owners manual that I should run my bilge blower running whenever the engine is on. However, I also have read that you should only run it prior to starting the engine and when the boat is running at slower speeds... What do you all think is best?

 

[440 Jim]

Assuming it's a gasser, follow your owners manual guidance. Better safe.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I think you may have misunderstood the warnings/directions. It should be run for about 4 minutes before starting the engine and any time the boat is not running on plane. Once the boat is running faster there is enough natural ventilation coming in/out that the blower is not needed. There should be a warning label at the helm that talks about this and it would be stated in the manual like that, as well (probably in a few places). HOWEVER, you might find wording somewhere that says "it's just easier to keep it running all the time rather trying to remember when to turn it on/off".

 

[hottoddie]

I prefer to run mine 100% of the time the engines are running. In addition I have a function bilge fume detector and believe it should be a Coast Guard/Insurance requirement on all inboard gas engine biats.

 

[ttmott]

Keep in mind that the engine room blowers that SR installs are NOT continuous duty rated - that means you will most likely burn out the blower motor on a regular basis. Plus those cheap axial blowers are noisy. If one wants to run the blower continuously then upgrade and install ones that are rated for the service. Jabsco makes a great squirrel caged blower just for this. You will, however, have to install a bigger circuit breaker for the Jabsco blower.

 

[Pirate Lady]

As everyone said, I run at start, off plane, after shut down. I have a fume detector. The Atwood is not meant to run all the time, but they pretty tough, replaced mine this spring after 30 years it was tripping the breaker.
Ain’t exploded yet.

 

[superwa]

What fume detector do you use?

 

[Pirate Lady]

Honestly I don’t know. It was in boat when I bought from PO. Has a sensor low in bilge.
best pic I got, far right on dash next to Uniden depth gauge. But it works. I held some fuel next to sensor and it screamed like a whore that ain’t been paid.