Gotta run that blower...

[bfernald0]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1126712024608877

 

[Fill Ess]

Also a good idea to tie up when you gas up

 

[Blueone]

Didn’t someone say boats don’t blowup…. During the thread of the fire fighters putting out the Sandusky fire

 

[km1125]

Didn’t someone say boats don’t blowup…. During the thread of the fire fighters putting out the Sandusky fire

That was about fuel tanks exploding after the boat catches fire... which typically doesn't happen. Although you see it in the movies all the time.

 

[El Capitan]

I disagree with running blowers without first airing out engine compartment.

Click on the blowers if no gasses otherwise you can have a spark ignite from blower’s wiring.

I always open hatch(s) or doghouse and let it air out after it’s hot. Then I’ll turn on blowers.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I disagree with running blowers without first airing out engine compartment.

Click on the blowers if no gasses otherwise you can have a spark ignite from blower’s wiring.

I always open hatch(s) or doghouse and let it air out after it’s hot. Then I’ll turn on blowers.

The boat wiring if not otherwise altered by a clueless DIYer is designed to be spark free and the blowers are certainly designed to operate in the flammable environment. Should be no reason to open panels or hatches if you stick to standard blower protocols that are time proven. I would venture that most explosions post fueling are due to complacency or poor maintenance.

 

[RBB]

this is the main reason diesel boats are better. alot safer in my opinion.

 

[El Capitan]

The boat wiring if not otherwise altered by a clueless DIYer is designed to be spark free and the blowers are certainly designed to operate in the flammable environment. Should be no reason to open panels or hatches if you stick to standard blower protocols that are time proven. I would venture that most explosions post fueling are due to complacency or poor maintenance.

“if” “otherwise “ “designed “ “should”. You a politician?

With all those qualifiers nothing should ever go wrong.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Not a politician, just a big advocate for doing things right. I hate to see acccidents like this happen but point is they are almost all preventable and I just hope that when they do happen it inspires boaters to think twice about how their boat is maintained and operated.

 

[Creekwood]

I disagree with running blowers without first airing out engine compartment.

Click on the blowers if no gasses otherwise you can have a spark ignite from blower’s wiring.

I always open hatch(s) or doghouse and let it air out after it’s hot. Then I’ll turn on blowers.

I’ll take my chances on the blowers without hitting the switch on the electric hatch lift LOL. Blowers are designed to vent gas fumes specifically. That is what they are there for - not to be used when there are no fumes. Use them.

 

[boatman37]

I’ll take my chances on the blowers without hitting the switch on the electric hatch lift LOL. Blowers are designed to vent gas fumes specifically. That is what they are there for - not to be used when there are no fumes. Use them.

I was thinking the same. I'd rather rely on my blowers made for that specific purpose then to rely on my electric engine hatch motor

 

[El Capitan]

Yes, and alcohol stoves were made for boat cabins too.

I believe this is about safe (safest) practices.

Safe practice is to smell for vapors first, blowers don't signal if you have fuel vapors or a fuel leak. But of course, nobody's boat here has ever had a fuel leak or fuel vapor in the bilge, especially since nobody has carb'd motors here.
These are closed bilges. If you don't think fuel vapors exist....go ahead, click that switch.

Whens the last time the average boater has looked at or replaced their blower motors. Do owners know for sure the blower motors are indeed open frame and not sealed cases? Not all blower motors would pass a CSA or UL test for hazardous location.

Safe practice is to open hatches and vents first, smell/inspect for fuel vapors/leaks. During fueling, close all vents/hatches, then open after refueling.

Ive never heard of a bilge blower ridding the bilge of fuel leaked into compartment.

https://sanduskyregister.com/news/395947/345-pm-update-fire-at-local-marina/

 

[Skybolt]

Boat blowers are typically magnetic drive and ignition protected and can be operated in almost any situation. Not sure why they shouldn't be ran while fueling.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Boat blowers are typically magnetic drive and ignition protected and can be operated in almost any situation. Not sure why they shouldn't be ran while fueling.

The idea to not run them during fueling is that since they pump air out of the bilge, fuel infused air can be drawn in the intakes during fueling. Best practice is to use the blowers to clear the bilge once fueling is completed and caps are replaced.

 

[Espos4]

blowers don't signal if you have fuel vapors or a fuel leak. /

Wouldn’t you smell fuel from the vents once the blower is operating???

 

[Stee6043]

Wouldn’t you smell fuel from the vents once the blower is operating???

This is such a strange thread. But I popped in to share this very thought. As stated above I believe the manual will tell you to shut everything off during fueling, then turn on the blower and sniff for vapors. So that's what I do...and I could swear I read it somewhere at one time

 

[Skybolt]

The idea to not run them during fueling is that since they pump air out of the bilge, fuel infused air can be drawn in the intakes during fueling. Best practice is to use the blowers to clear the bilge once fueling is completed and caps are replaced.

Yeah, thats what they say, but I would think moving air would help as the gasoline fumes are not that bad generally. But I see the point, I guess arguments for both could be valid, but best to error on the side of caution.

 

[Skybolt]

This is such a strange thread. But I popped in to share this very thought. As stated above I believe the manual will tell you to shut everything off during fueling, then turn on the blower and sniff for vapors. So that's what I do...and I could swear I read it somewhere at one time

Yes, that is the "Proper" way of dealing with fueling. My comment was basically because blowers are very same to run in an explosive environment. Depending on where the blower intake is, it COULD be safer to run while fueling, but that is only my opinion.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Yeah, thats what they say, but I would think moving air would help as the gasoline fumes are not that bad generally. But I see the point, I guess arguments for both could be valid, but best to error on the side of caution.

The actual key is to be patient and run the blowers long enough to ensure any vapors are removed from the ER. I believe five minutes is the standard recommendation which seems like an eternity when there is a line of boats in the fuel dock que. I imagine there are many boaters that hit the blowers just seconds before the ignition hoping to not hear the big bang!

 

[Skybolt]

The actual key is to be patient and run the blowers long enough to ensure any vapors are removed from the ER. ... I imagine there are many boaters that hit the blowers just seconds before the ignition hoping to not hear the big bang!

As in this video ...