Running bilge blowers?

mnm99

mnm99

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2015
2,447
Long Island
Boat Info
2004 340 SeaRay Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Merc
I was just sitting on my couch going through my SeaRay manual and came across this statement about blowers. It says run all the time!:huh:. First I ever heard of this..

7. Run bilge blowers for atleast 4 minutes beforeattempting to start engineUnlike your automobileengine which is naturallyventilated even when it isnot moving, your boatengine compartment (the bilge) does not havesufficient natural ventilation when the boat is notmoving or moving slowly. That is why theengine compartment must have forcedventilation, using the bilge blower, to removepotentially explosive gasoline vapors, before theengine is started and when the boat is movingslowly.Because it may be difficult to remember to turnon the bilge blower every time you slow downthe boat, it is recommended that the bilge blowerrun all the time when the engines are running.
 
This is standard stuff. If you have a gas boat running the blowers is almost always a good thing. Most explosions occur due to vapor being caught in the engine compartment.


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That's my habit, and it's kind of annoying that others in our lake crew constantly say, "Your blowers are running" as soon as we raft up...sometimes more than one of them says it, and sometimes they say it more than once, even before we've tied off completely! We run the blowers at least 5 minutes before turning on the engines, while the engines are running, and for a few minutes after docking/rafting. I don't know if they're trying to make sure we don't run down the batteries or what, but jeez!! Is there some horror story I've missed about blowers running too long?
 
SloBurn said:
Lawyers wrote the manual.
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter who wrote the manual if you're dead. I don't think this is a CYA statement...it's common sense.

I trailer my boat so I run the blower while I'm prepping at the ramp - around 5 mins - plus I let the blower run while the boat's idling and I park the truck/trailer. Maybe I'm paranoid but I turn the blower on while I'm at no-wake speed and turn it off when at 10+ mph.

trflgrl said:
That's my habit, and it's kind of annoying that others in our lake crew constantly say, "Your blowers are running" as soon as we raft up...sometimes more than one of them says it, and sometimes they say it more than once, even before we've tied off completely! We run the blowers at least 5 minutes before turning on the engines, while the engines are running, and for a few minutes after docking/rafting. I don't know if they're trying to make sure we don't run down the batteries or what, but jeez!! Is there some horror story I've missed about blowers running too long?
Click to expand...

Totally agree. Nothing wrong with running it all the time. Worst case is you replace the blower before your other boating friends whose get no use.
 
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I usually lift open hatch for a few minutes once I get to the boat ... Then once I fire up I have them running for a few minutes and then turn them off .. unless creep for a little bit too long
 
I do this. By accident. I try to remember to turn them off, once I go on plane. But I always forget so they run all the time. I realize I forgot, because I always remember to flip them on when coming off plane. But, they are already on! Ha ha!


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I run mine a few minutes before starting the engines and while not on plane. Once on plane I shut them off then when I back it down I flip them back on.
 
On my boat, if the engines are running, the blowers are running.
 
Only run them for a few minutes before starting engines.

Been following this routine for my 15 year boating career....so far so good.
 
It's funny, but I never heard of anyone ever having to replace a blower motor because they ran it too much.

We all know how often we hear about a boat blowing up and killing or injuring passengers.

Seems like a no brainer to me, no matter who wrote the manual.
 
Wow. And here I always feel so embarrassed/scared when I forget to turn them on or don't have them running = I always feel lucky I have the opportunity to turn them on after I forget.

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Read the wording more carefully, mnm. It doesn't state to run the blowers all the time because of ventilation issues. It recommends to run them all the time so one doesn't have to remember to turn them back on when coming back off plane. Your initial thought (before starting, when going slow) is the correct one. However, of course it can't "hurt" to run them all the time. That being said, I don't "think" the standard issue blower is officially rated for continuous duty.
 
I think they should be running anytime your not on plane. Also no harm in running all the time.


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I tend to run mine all the time. They've really only simple electric motors that don't draw a lot in the grand scheme of things and there isn't much that can go wrong with them.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Read the wording more carefully, mnm. It doesn't state to run the blowers all the time because of ventilation issues. It recommends to run them all the time so one doesn't have to remember to turn them back on when coming back off plane. Your initial thought (before starting, when going slow) is the correct one. However, of course it can't "hurt" to run them all the time. That being said, I don't "think" the standard issue blower is officially rated for continuous duty.
Click to expand...

Yea I got that, so you don't forget. After coming off plane and pulling in the harbor I never turned them on or know anyone who ever turns them on by me. I turn them on 5 min before I start and every time after I fill up. I have never heard of someone blowing up idling around. Have you? Maybe at start up and after fueling, Have you? Not saying I won't do it, just never heard of something happening like that.
 
With my diesels I run the blower from the time I leave the dock until I get back. I figure the generator is running no matter what and at very least an engine blower might help to dissipate heat in the engine room or even clear out some CO that may or may not be lingering.

The price of a blower is worth the cost.
 
Run them all the time. Engines run more efficiently when the engine room is cooler anyway.
 
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