Gotta run that blower...

Carpediem44DB said:
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!
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As soon as the gas cap goes on the last tank my blowers go on. They run while I go inside and pay the bill. So by the time I am back on board it’s been about 5 min. Quick sniff of the blower vent exit air and I am good to fire up the iron. Takes no extra time at all.
 
bfernald0 said:
Thinking about installing a fume sniffer. Anyone had any luck with these?

https://www.mtiindustries.com/product/in-dash-gasoline-fume-detector/
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I have had that exact model on one boat, and other similar units on other boats.

You do get a false alarm every now and then. Although the unit might have been triggered by a real explosive vapor, it might not have been enough to be an issue. For an example, one time we were out in some VERY heavy seas heading in as a storm was building. The boat (single inboard) was getting tossed around quite a bit and we were still a couple miles offshore. All the sudden all three of us aboard heard a loud beeping sound and, nearly simultaneously, all looked at our watches thinking they were alarming. Then, again almost simultaneously, all three realized it was the fume sensor right in front of us. Not wanting to shut the engine down in those conditions, the other two guys pulled open the engine hatches and looked all around and could not see any issue and the alarm cleared while the hatches were open. Shut the hatches and continued the rest of the journey back and no further alarms.

Another time, was out alone and just cruising around in a bridge boat. Alarm sounded and it was nice so I was able to quickly shut down the engines and go down to the engine compartment. What I found was one of the exhaust hoses had parted (failed clamps) and there was engine exhaust in the compartment, but also water coming in from the exhaust hose. Was able to rectify the situation and get back to the dock for permanent repairs, but I'm not sure what would have happened if that alarm didn't alert me to an issue. Would enough water have come in to make it unrecoverable by the time I noticed something? Maybe.

So there's another good reason to have the sensor even if it doesn't stop an explosion.
 
km1125 said:
I have had that exact model on one boat, and other similar units on other boats.

You do get a false alarm every now and then. Although the unit might have been triggered by a real explosive vapor, it might not have been enough to be an issue. For an example, one time we were out in some VERY heavy seas heading in as a storm was building. The boat (single inboard) was getting tossed around quite a bit and we were still a couple miles offshore. All the sudden all three of us aboard heard a loud beeping sound and, nearly simultaneously, all looked at our watches thinking they were alarming. Then, again almost simultaneously, all three realized it was the fume sensor right in front of us. Not wanting to shut the engine down in those conditions, the other two guys pulled open the engine hatches and looked all around and could not see any issue and the alarm cleared while the hatches were open. Shut the hatches and continued the rest of the journey back and no further alarms.

Another time, was out alone and just cruising around in a bridge boat. Alarm sounded and it was nice so I was able to quickly shut down the engines and go down to the engine compartment. What I found was one of the exhaust hoses had parted (failed clamps) and there was engine exhaust in the compartment, but also water coming in from the exhaust hose. Was able to rectify the situation and get back to the dock for permanent repairs, but I'm not sure what would have happened if that alarm didn't alert me to an issue. Would enough water have come in to make it unrecoverable by the time I noticed something? Maybe.

So there's another good reason to have the sensor even if it doesn't stop an explosion.
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Well, Hodges had them for 75 bucks. Bought one. Will see how it works.
 
I run mine a minimum of 4 minutes and even time it to be sure. After fueling I open the hatch too for a sniff test. I do not run the blowers while fueling, but after I put the cap back on
 
For those with Classic boats that have a functioning halon system. If a fuel alarm goes off, do not open hatches to inspect until you get to a safe area. Halon only works in a closed area. Open the hatch and your fire suppression system is useless.
That’s what the little light on dash is for. To tell you your halon just discharged.
 
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Pirate Lady said:
I have one mounted low in the bilge. Came with the boat. Just for giggles I held a cup of gas by it, ya it’s loud.
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Placing gas NEAR it is fine, but don't wipe a gas-soaked rag on the sensor or you could ruin it.

Another good way to test them is use a butane lighter and just push the 'gas' button without lighting it. You can do that several inches away from the sensor, then 'wave' the gas towards it.
 
Pirate Lady said:
For those with Classic boats that have a functioning halon system. If a fuel alarm goes off, do not open hatches to inspect until you get to a safe area. Halon only works in a closed area. Open the hatch and your fire suppression system is useless.
That’s what the little light on dash is for. To tell you your halon just discharged.
Click to expand...

Whatever happened with that guy at your marina last year who filled the bilge with gas, put the boat back in his slip and left? :eek:
 
Pirate Lady said:
For those with Classic boats that have a functioning halon system. If a fuel alarm goes off, do not open hatches to inspect until you get to a safe area. Halon only works in a closed area. Open the hatch and your fire suppression system is useless.
That’s what the little light on dash is for. To tell you your halon just discharged.
Click to expand...

Hmm...I don't think this is the most appropriate logic. A gas fume detector is intended to help you prevent a fire by notifying you of a potential leak before it ignites. To not immediately inspect and address the leak would substantially eliminate the benefits of having a fume detector?

I'd also argue that if there's not yet a fire in your bilge, but somehow you would know fire is imminent, it would be far better to have the hatch open vs closed. The power (damage) of the ignition of fumes within a closed compartment can be substantially mitigated by opening that compartment.
 
Pirate Lady said:
For those with Classic boats that have a functioning halon system. If a fuel alarm goes off, do not open hatches to inspect until you get to a safe area. Halon only works in a closed area. Open the hatch and your fire suppression system is useless.
That’s what the little light on dash is for. To tell you your halon just discharged.
Click to expand...
Where do you get the idea that Halon only works in a closed area? Handheld halon extinguishers had been used for years to put out fires. The halon displaces / neutralizes the O2 thus smothering the combustion since fire requires O2. It may be true that halon is more effective in a closed area but it certainly will put out a fire in a bilge with hatches open. In aircraft, the halon extinguishes fires in engine nacelles at 200 plus MPH.
CD
 
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