generator and blower question

You run the blower with the gen for the same reason you run it with the mains. It is to evacuate any gas fumes that may occur.
 
Thank you all for your info. I really appreciate it. I think that the gen is not for continous use. I was wondering about the blowers burning out after all that use too. I don't want to chance it, with this choice the stakes are too high. We will just have to go back to port and plug in or something.
 
keokie said:
You run the blower with the gen for the same reason you run it with the mains. It is to evacuate any gas fumes that may occur.
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But you run the blowers to eliminate gas fumes PRIOR to starting and then turn them off. HIFI seemed to imply that running the blower for the duration was somehow safer, but he offered no reason to back it up. I remain puzzled as to why running the blower while running the genset would be safer.
 
Pirate said:
Baa. Baa. Even though the manuals 'says so', I remain puzzled as to WHY it would be safer.
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I don't think you'll ever be satisfied with any answer. The manufacturer calls for it, maybe a buildup of gas fumes might cause an explosion, who knows? You'll either do it or you won't and I don't know how you'd be convinced to change your mind.
Also, you are supposed to run the blowers with the engine running until you get past idle speed and the natural air flow takes over. I guess it's for the same "reason".
 
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gredmer said:
Also, you are supposed to run the blowers with the engine running until you get past idle speed and the natural air flow takes over. I guess it's for the same "reason".
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I got the same explanation from CG Master instructor during certification course. If you stay in one spot with low or no wind this prevents good ventilation and the exhaust fumes may get back inside the boat (bildge, cockpit, cabin). When running genny while on the hook, I would say it's the same as running the engines at idle speed. Now, lets not forget that this is only recommendation for keeping you safer. That doesn't mean that if you don't run the blower an accident will happen. But, the main thing is that you have a choice to minimize the risk.
 
I used to run the blowers on my 380 DA all the time when the generator was running because the manual did say to do that... Just by the generator running, it is going to evacuate the air out of the engine room over time from the air intake. However, it won't evacuate any fumes that get sucked in and sink to the bottom of the bilge. Blowers on a gas boat are plumbed to the bottom of the bilge to remove those heavy than air vapors. It kinda opens up the question if it would desirable to plumb the air intake of the generator to the bottom of the bilge to suck out those heavier than air gases just by the thing running.

On the diesel boat though, I don't run them... the only time I run the blowers on the diesel is after I've made a run somewhere and need to cool the engine room down. Other than that, blowers on a diesel are useless... Sea Ray plumbs them to the top of the engine room so they wouldn't even remove fumes that sank to the bottom of the area (like propane, gasoline or CO).
 
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If you develop a fuel leak while runnig a gen or main, you will be pumping fuel into the bilge. The idea of the blower is to remove the fumes. Also, even though ignition protected, a running motor still presents some spark possibilities. So it is even more imperative to keep the bilge fume free. That's it.

I would agree it is very cautious, but I abide by it. I know it is actually very unlikely I would get struck by lightening if I held a golf club in the air during a distant T-storm, but I still don't do it.
 
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