Bilge blower quit

Captain Spike

Captain Spike

Active Member
Oct 14, 2020
208
California Delta
Boat Info
2002 Sun Dancer with 6.2 L v drives
Engines
6.2L mercury v drive
While anchoring out this weekend, the starboard blower quit. I don’t see a fuse specifically for them but think perhaps it just died. Would like ideas on replacements. The blowers are louder than the generator.
any ideas appreciated. thanks
 
End of summer mine was tripping CB a lot, replaced with same model Atwood, 10 minute job, no more problems. My CB is on dash with switch. Yours may vary. If its tripping the CB, its the blower.
 
You don't list what model boat you have, but yes, there is typically a breaker for the blowers. It would be on a control board.

Squirrel cage blowers are generally quieter. But, you can also mount the same blower onto a piece of heavy 1-1/2" or 2" hose (sanitation hose works well) and then mount the hose to the boat. That eliminates alot of the noise due to reverberation or echoing when mounted direct to hard part of the boat.
 
I replaced noisy inline blowers with Jabsco squirrel cage blowers. I can barely hear them plus they are made for continuous use. Not cheap but I figure they will last the life of the boat,
 
Lazy Daze said:
You don't list what model boat you have, but yes, there is typically a breaker for the blowers. It would be on a control board.

Squirrel cage blowers are generally quieter. But, you can also mount the same blower onto a piece of heavy 1-1/2" or 2" hose (sanitation hose works well) and then mount the hose to the boat. That eliminates alot of the noise due to reverberation or echoing when mounted direct to hard part of the boat.
Click to expand...
The model is a 2002 340da i think the blowers are pretty standard. I have never had one die, I didn’t see a breaker but only one went out. Thank you for your input.
 
Go to your main DC breaker panel - the breakers "should" be there, if memory serves.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Go to your main DC breaker panel - the breakers "should" be there, if memory serves.
Click to expand...
I’m home now ( let the crazy’s have the water today) but I’ll go tomorrow and check. I can as on the panel a lot this weekend with starting the generator etc. the blowers can be turned on or off there or the helm. I don’t remember seeing a breaker for them and looked at the panel beneath the helm. Maybe I just missed something. Thank you again. I’ll post when I get it solved or replaced.
 
I think you will find the blower system is a bit more complicated than switch and blower. The switches operate a blower control module which is integrated with the boat's fire suppression system (if you have one). Each blower should have it's own circuit breaker with one sourced from the port battery and one from the starboard battery. If yours are original equipment and you operate them continuously then that blower probably failed; they are not rated for continuous duty. I would say if you desire to operate the blowers at all times the boat is running then step up to Jabsco 35770 continuous duty squirrel-cage units which are virtually silent. You will have to upsize the circuit breakers to 12 Amp however; the wiring should be good to go.... Here is a photo of a typical blower module shown, in this installation, with the fire suppression module.
Engine Blower Module Small.JPG
 
ttmott said:
I think you will find the blower system is a bit more complicated than switch and blower. The switches operate a blower control module which is integrated with the boat's fire suppression system (if you have one). Each blower should have it's own circuit breaker with one sourced from the port battery and one from the starboard battery. If yours are original equipment and you operate them continuously then that blower probably failed; they are not rated for continuous duty. I would say if you desire to operate the blowers at all times the boat is running then step up to Jabsco 35770 continuous duty squirrel-cage units which are virtually silent. You will have to upsize the circuit breakers to 12 Amp however; the wiring should be good to go.... Here is a photo of a typical blower module shown, in this installation, with the fire suppression module.
View attachment 106387
Click to expand...
Thank you for your info. I’ll get back to the boat this week and make an assessment of things.
 
Are both blowers dead, you should have two and both work off the same switch. Use a volt meter and be sure you have power to the one that failed. If all is good then replace the blower.

remember, the blowers move bad air out (gas fumes) you want to get this done before you use those motors again. One blower can not move the volume of bad air out to keep a build up of fumes down. Good time to check those vent hoses as well, as they age the get torn and brittle.

The vent system is probably one of the most overlooked safety systems on your boat. That’s just my opinion.
 
dwna1a said:
Are both blowers dead, you should have two and both work off the same switch. Use a volt meter and be sure you have power to the one that failed. If all is good then replace the blower.

remember, the blowers move bad air out (gas fumes) you want to get this done before you use those motors again. One blower can not move the volume of bad air out to keep a build up of fumes down. Good time to check those vent hoses as well, as they age the get torn and brittle.

The vent system is probably one of the most overlooked safety systems on your boat. That’s just my opinion.
Click to expand...
I agree, one blower is still working so unless I find a loose wire etc. it seems like the one blower. They work off the switch on dash/helm or main control panel. I will go and look for circuit breaker/ fuse ? As I turn them on off at the same switches. Thank you for the info.
 
We just ran into this same issue on Sunday, except it's both blowers. The DC breaker panel switches don't move. Any ideas on that? Taking that cover off, is that where the blower control module is?
 
JimT said:
I replaced noisy inline blowers with Jabsco squirrel cage blowers. I can barely hear them plus they are made for continuous use. Not cheap but I figure they will last the life of the boat,
Click to expand...
I like it noisy so i know its blowing before i fire up but i weird that way.
 
dwna1a said:
Are both blowers dead, you should have two and both work off the same switch. Use a volt meter and be sure you have power to the one that failed. If all is good then replace the blower.

remember, the blowers move bad air out (gas fumes) you want to get this done before you use those motors again. One blower can not move the volume of bad air out to keep a build up of fumes down. Good time to check those vent hoses as well, as they age the get torn and brittle.

The vent system is probably one of the most overlooked safety systems on your boat. That’s just my opinion.
Click to expand...
 
Happy to say that my blower problem was me thinking they exhibited from both sides ! Something i was sure I had heard… nope , in investigation they both work and exit on the port side.
Very glad to be down in ER looking as I just saw a leak from the generator coolant system. Thanks for the input , I’m learning all the time where things are etc.
 
dwna1a said:
Are both blowers dead, you should have two and both work off the same switch. Use a volt meter and be sure you have power to the one that failed. If all is good then replace the blower.

remember, the blowers move bad air out (gas fumes) you want to get this done before you use those motors again. One blower can not move the volume of bad air out to keep a build up of fumes down. Good time to check those vent hoses as well, as they age the get torn and brittle.

The vent system is probably one of the most overlooked safety systems on your boat. That’s just my opinion.
Click to expand...

Great point and I will be checking mine this weekend as, being a new boat to me, I've never even noticed the hoses or inspected them.
 
Captain Spike said:
Happy to say that my blower problem was me thinking they exhibited from both sides ! Something i was sure I had heard… nope , in investigation they both work and exit on the port side.
Very glad to be down in ER looking as I just saw a leak from the generator coolant system. Thanks for the input , I’m learning all the time where things are etc.
Click to expand...
A "free" fix - the best kind!
 
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