lots of smoke

[capecodcruiser]

We were returning from a great weekend on Martha's Vineyard dropping some friends off. While fighting an outgoing tide in a small inlet I smell something burning, definitely plastic. Lift the starboard engine cover and see smoke and melted bilge venting. Looks like the vent motor seized, and the wires to it were melting. We switched everything off and avoided any real damage, but I am wondering why there is no circuit breaker or fuse for these?? Is the switch at the helm for the vents supposed to be a circuit breaker? If so, it sure didn't trip. So now I get to trace the wires back and and replace the fan and the wires. Not looking forward to doing the wires. Plus wondering if there is anything else that got damaged. Just looking for thoughts. Thanks

 

[fc3]

The circuit is fused with a breaker. However, those ventilation motors are not rated for continuous duty. When the run for long periods of time, they can overheat and melt. If you are going to run the bilge blowers for extended time periods, replace them with those rated for continuous duty. Jabsco makes a few models so rated.

Best regards,
Frank