Running the blower?

F

FLAScott185Sport

New Member
Jun 4, 2008
74
Orlando Florida
Gents,

The is a newbie question. Right now whenever I have the engine running I have the blower on. However I have read if your doing 20 MPH plus it is not nessary to have on ? :huh:
 
The blower should be run before starting the engine and they also recommend it at slow speeds. The goal, as I understand it, is to exhaust any gasoline fumes built up in the engine compartment that could become explosive when starting the engine. Personally, I use it before starting the engine, but I rarely use it when moving, unless I'm doing idle speed for a long time.
 
Others may have more info, but i think that if the engine is running, and you are tied up (no air flowing through the engine compartment), you should have the blower on (very important with carb. motors).

If you are under power, it becomes less important. IMO
 
Unless you change out your blower for one rated for continuous use, only use the blower before starting or as you idle. Not when you are cruising.
 
Since I am always running the generator when out on the boat, I keep the blower running all the time. I start it about 4-5 minutes before starting the genny and then the engines, and unless I am at cruising speed without the genny running, it stays on.

B
 
Take it from someone who has boated for 30+ years, blowers are cheap insurance. If your engine is running, run the blower. Like stated above, this is more important with carb motors. Also, I have never heard of a blower that is "rated for continious service." OEM blowers are all rated for continious service. Just my $0.02.
 
Got this off of http://my.boatus.com/Askexperts/


Like a lot of people, we thought bilge blowers could be operated continuously to keep fresh air in the bilge. That changed when we heard from a member who had a bearing in his blower's motor seize. Since the blower was still energized, it melted the fan into what he described as, "one scary looking plastic heap." The blower was less than a year old. Fortunately, they were still at the dock and smelled the smoke before any damage was done. Underway, wind over the deck could have masked the problem until it was too late.

A spokesman for ITT Jabsco, a company that makes bilge blowers, said some of its blowers are designed to withstand continuous operation and some aren't. Read the labels. If you're buying a new blower, the less expensive models will say "intermittent;" the more expensive blowers will be marked "continuous." He said that if you're not sure what's on your boat, don't operate the blower continuously. Attwood, another company that makes bilge blowers, said their blowers should not be left on for more than 15 ? 30 minutes
Click to expand...
 
I run my Blower... Before Starting, when I'm in the 5MPH zone and I also let it run for 5 or 10 minutes after I return to my mooring... anyone run the blower after a ride like me???
 
Jabsco blowers are primarily intended for intermittent duty
cycles such as evacuating fuel vapors from bilge areas.
If desired, they also may be used for other general air
circulation applications with longer duty cycles. It should
be noted that the maximum motor life is approximately
1000 hours. Therefore, the blower should only be used
for applications if this length of service is acceptable.
 
I turn it on as soon as we get to the launch area and I take the transom straps off.

While wakeboarding and tubing I like having it on since we stop and change riders etc and turn the engine off to do so. Then I forget as we finish up and take a ride up and down the lake, and it usually stays on until I remember it is on...usually when we have rafted up for the day. :grin:
 
I think proper blower usage is related to what I call your NOCD (Nautical OCD).

Since I have a rather acute case of NOCD, before I even turn the battery switch on (which is in my bilge) I sniff, look at the bilge basin and check all visible fluid levels (gear oil and coolant). I check the oil and power steering fluids once a week and before any big trip and top up accordingly.

If all is clear, then my rule of thumb is to keep the blower on for at least 4 minutes before starting up the engine (and before turning that key, I still open the engine hatch (easy on my boat) to sniff for gasoline fumes).

In addition, for some reason I recall being told/having read that it is recommended to activate the blower any time engine RPMS are 2000 RPMs or less.

I do not see the logic of keeping the blower on after shutting the engine down, but I have an open mind and would love to hear the reasons why people think this is beneficial.
 
FLAScott185Sport said:
Okay.. so I have the blower off.. do I need to turn on the bilge switch on? or does it kick in automatically?
Click to expand...
It will (unless something is wrong) kick in automatically...this is something you DONT want to leave on as it will burn out quickly!
 
HudsonHauler said:
I think proper blower usage is related to what I call your NOCD (Nautical OCD).

Since I have a rather acute case of NOCD, before I even turn the battery switch on (which is in my bilge) I sniff, look at the bilge basin and check all visible fluid levels (gear oil and coolant). I check the oil and power steering fluids once a week and before any big trip and top up accordingly.

If all is clear, then my rule of thumb is to keep the blower on for at least 4 minutes before starting up the engine (and before turning that key, I still open the engine hatch (easy on my boat) to sniff for gasoline fumes).

In addition, for some reason I recall being told/having read that it is recommended to activate the blower any time engine RPMS are 2000 RPMs or less.

I do not see the logic of keeping the blower on after shutting the engine down, but I have an open mind and would love to hear the reasons why people think this is beneficial.
Click to expand...

NOCD!:lol::lol:
 
HudsonHauler said:
I do not see the logic of keeping the blower on after shutting the engine down, but I have an open mind and would love to hear the reasons why people think this is beneficial.
Click to expand...

The reason I run the Blower after the engine is Off is to remove some of the heat build up in the (twins) engine room. I thought it was not a bad idea and doesn't cost me anything. It's just become one of those things I do, along with having my second beer and a smoke.. :)
Do you guys think it's a waste of time?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,119
Messages
1,426,568
Members
61,036
Latest member
Randy S
Back
Top