Bildge blower indicator alarm

[doral1985]

I hear many newer inboard boats have a beeper alarm that sounds before startup to indicate to turn on bildge blower. My 84 Doral, 3.8 dosent have this as a reminder, is there a upgrade to buy that works for this?

 

[etracer68]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

I would turn the blower on while I was getting the boat ready to go into the water. By the time I got back from parking the truck it should be ready to go. If you dont trailer yours, put a big piece of paper on the dash saying, TURN BLOWER ON, then a pic of a boat on fire, should get it locked into your memory fast.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

Pretty much my thinking too. It never hurts to have a pre-launch checklist if you are concerned about missing items. You could put this near the top of the list.

(Of course you might need a reminder to turn it off again....)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

I would turn the blower on while I was getting the boat ready to go into the water. By the time I got back from parking the truck it should be ready to go. If you dont trailer yours, put a big piece of paper on the dash saying, TURN BLOWER ON, then a pic of a boat on fire, should get it locked into your memory fast.

Ayuh,... Or a bright Orange sticky label at the keyswitch...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

I'd be more interested in an indicator, that actually showed the blower was moving air.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

I'd be more interested in an indicator, that actually showed the blower was moving air.

That would be easy to make. Install a little paddle in the exhaust stream. The shaft operates a micro switch when the paddle swings when the blower is running. A one squre inch paddle is all thats needed and in operation would not restrict the air flow. The micro switch turns on a green light on the console. Geez -- maybe I should build these huh!!! Or a reluctance pickup from a current automobile fuel injection system could be used. Place next to the blower fins it would provide the pulses required by the electronics. That could be a pretty simple device in itself using Radio Shack parts.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

I was thinking a piece of plastic that would flutter in the air stream.

But then I would still forget to look at it.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

Usually the beeping is because the key is on and there is no oil pressure. Once the engine is running it goes off. The blige blower has no ties to the alarm. Most systems have an alarm on the thermostat housing and oil pressure. But i agree, in the staging area, kick it on while you are getting unstrapped, throwing fenders, etc.

 

[riptorn]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

Ya.
Get a 9volt carbon monoxide detector near the engine compartment. Hook it up to a 9 volt adapter cigarette lighter socket connected to the ignition switch or even a toggle switch just to turn on the battery.
Turn the key or switch on and listen to the music.
Should always have it on.

 

[doral1985]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

Good suggestions guys tks, I guess the checklist and paying attention before starting is the best idea, even when someone is yaking at about whatever. Another question, my bildge area has a 3 in hose routed from under the oil pan up to the bildge blower then to the outflow vent. should there be a tube going from inlet vent on oppsite side down into the blidge or just the vent and the blower draws the air down in under the engine. Mine has the inlet vent but no inlet tube to bildge.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Bildge blower indicator alarm

If the inlet vent goes into the engine compartment, you should be ok. If it just goes into a battery, or seat compartment, there should be enough area to draw air into the engine compartment. Most boats, once blower is turned on, will draw air from anywhere it can get it. Also if the boat is being trailered, the wind while trailering, should do pretty much of the job too. Left the motor compart hood, and use your nose to see if there is problems. A leaky gas hose, cant be fixed by a blower to get out the vapors.

I also always let the drain plug out, and bow tipped up went sitting at the house. This way any water or gas fumes will drain out.