Definitive answer to running bilge blowers

Aerobaticflyer

Aerobaticflyer

New Member
Mar 24, 2009
263
Bradenton, FL.
Boat Info
390 Sundancer 2005
Engines
Cummins 380's
I have received a lot of conflicting data on when and how much to run your bilge blowers. I have information from my Sea Ray dealer, my Sea Ray's owner's manual, other boaters, etc. that conflict.

My question is.......is there any limiting devices (timers, internal temperature overload protectors, etc.) on the blowers that limit how long they run? My shut down after about 10 minutes running time in hot weather. Sometimes I'd like to run them longer like in a long no wake zone or when on the hook and the genset running. The owner's manual even says to run them when ever the engines are running! That seems excessive but mine would shut down anyway.

My dealer looked them over and found nothing wrong electrically. They said they are not continuous duty motors.

Any feedback from Sea Ray would be useful.
 
Aerobaticflyer said:
My question is.......is there any limiting devices (timers, internal temperature overload protectors, etc.) on the blowers that limit how long they run? .......
Click to expand...

Hmmm.
Well, mine do not have any such timer. I have run the blowers for hours at a time with the generator on at anchor.

This was during the hottest part of the summer however in Wisconsin this means in the 90’s.
 
Get a new electrical inspector, somethings amiss. I run them constantly. Easy enough to replace a $40 blower over a 5 or 6 figure size boat.
 
The definitive answer is "Run your ER blowers for 10 minutes before starting main engine(s) and genset. Keep it running the entire time the mains or Genset is running, and then ..when you shut down let the blowers run 10 minutes longer.
 
I run mine any time I'm putzing along at no wake speed, which is a lot of the time. On the hook with the genny on, same thing. I've been boating regularly since 1969 and have had to replace one blower and this was on a brand new 1986 SR. It probably was not working when the boat was delivered. I've followed the same practice all of those years. These things last longer than some people say.
 
They simply shut down? Does the light on the switch go out? I haven't tried it, but I'm guessing that if you remove battery power with them on and then turn the batteries back on, the blowers will have reverted back to the "off" position, right? If so, I'm thinking that you are losing DC momentarily during times of high heat. This may be a self-protection circuit in the Battery Circuits. I don't think it's a Blower issue.

I had a blower that would trip the CB after extented times of operation in a hot bilge. Only one of them tripped. I replaced the blower. Problem fixed. I would investigate some more and go to the dealer with your new-found electrical problem - under warranty.
 
If you run your bilge blowers continuously then you should replace them with continuous duty blowers.

For more information see the dozen other threads about running bilge blowers.
 
I have replaced both blowers with continous blowers. I run my blowers all day long without a problem. The chicken shit blower that SR puts in the 370 Da are pathetic. They are fan blade type and does not do the job. Its great up north but in the south like Covington,La.........it does not work. I replace them with continous squirrel cage motors.....not only they are very quiet, but have a tremendous amount of cfm.
 
roadkingh1 said:
I have replaced both blowers with continuous blowers. I run my blowers all day long without a problem. The chicken shit blower that SR puts in the 370 Da are pathetic. They are fan blade type and does not do the job. Its great up north but in the south like Covington,La.........it does not work. I replace them with continuous squirrel cage motors.....not only they are very quiet, but have a tremendous amount of cfm.
Click to expand...

Hey Roadknigh1 - I have great memories living in Tchefuncta Club Estates from '80 to '86. I miss Covington/Madisonville/Mandeville and Lake Ponchartrain.
 
I run my blowers always, never had them shut down. No idea if they are OEM stock or continuous duty, but they both work whenever I am running anything. Even Crusiing, I forget to to turn them off.
 
roadkingh1 said:
I have replaced both blowers with continous blowers. I run my blowers all day long without a problem. The chicken shit blower that SR puts in the 370 Da are pathetic. They are fan blade type and does not do the job. Its great up north but in the south like Covington,La.........it does not work. I replace them with continous squirrel cage motors.....not only they are very quiet, but have a tremendous amount of cfm.
Click to expand...

I have a couple of noisy screaming 4" blower motors I would like to replace, since I read your post I've been looking for continuous duty blowers, no luck. Some say intermitting, and some don't say at all.
Would you mind telling me where I can locate them, model number?
Thanks
Don
 
Last edited:
Asureyez said:
The definitive answer is "Run your ER blowers for 10 minutes before starting main engine(s) and genset. Keep it running the entire time the mains or Genset is running, and then ..when you shut down let the blowers run 10 minutes longer.
Click to expand...

Sounds like overkill to me...
Kinda like wearing a life vest and a helmet while anchored.:lol:
 
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