In my inexperience, I asked a diesel mechanic why there is a bilge blower in
a diesel-engined boat since diesel fumes are not as dangerous as gasoline
fumes. He said that the reason is to provide fresh air to the engine rather
than to clear out fumes. Could your blower be blowing rather than sucking on
purpose? Has anybody else checked their blowers?
Art Digout
WEENIN 26C #39 1982
Actually, I removed mine years ago. As far as it being for engine cooling, it would have to come on with the “ignition” switch and stay on to do any good. In addition, those types of blowers always remove heat rather then force cool air in. Since our boats do not have a sealed engine compartment like newer ones, I doubt if a blower would be of any use for that purpose.
I just went out to my garage and looked at the removed Attwood, ABYC approved, bilge blower. It has a flow direction arrow. Two wires, one black which I connected to ground and a yellow to 12VDC. Moves a lot of air. When connected backwards, it moves it very poorly in the opposite direction. Pictures available on request.
Joe Valinoti
IL GATTO NS30U #221
Oriental, NC
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Not a few boats keep small gasoline outboards and small gasoline containers
in the cockpit lockers. That entire space is open, for any gasoline fumes,
to the engine "compartment" and to the bilge.
Any propane gas leak anywhere on a boat would reach the bilge.
Any small containers onboard of volatiles (paint thinner, acetone, etc.)
have the potential to add explosive fumes to the bilge.
Every boat that wants to be very safe . . . wants a bilge blower that
exhausts the bilge and blows OUT of the boat.
Cheers,
Arthur Langley
BEAR AWAY 30C 54 BEAR AWAY 30C 14 BROADWAY 30U 426
Brunswick ME South Baymouth ON Toronto ON Royal Canadian YC
NH & Maine Fleet Lake Huron Fleet West-Lake Ontario Fleet
cel 207.459.6410 tel. 207.449.1980
P.S. I'd wonder just a bit about that mechanic.
A boat coming back from the MAC this year blew up and sank… gas fumes in the bilge apparently. Propane, outboard gas … any flammable gas that is heavier than air not to mention carbon monoxide will collect there and can really ruin your day!
2009/9/18 Arthur Langley <arthur_langley@hotmail.com>