Blower and Bilge Pump

[Sea Ray]

I just read a thread that stated to run your blower all the time. Are they refering to the exhaust blower? Do you really need to run it all the time?

My boat (just bought a used 1999 210 Sea Ray) has a built in fire extinguisher system in the engine compartment. Before I start the boat I was told to "wait for the beep" to clear out the fumes. Do I still need to run the blower?

And, what about the bilge pump. Mine does not appear to be automatic. How often should I turn it on? When is the best time - running at speed or just floating?


Thanks, I'm learning a lot!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

the blower should be run for 5 min. prior to starting accordin to the uscg i believe. used to be 4 min. used to be 2 min. too. anyways...yes, run it prior to start up. that evacuates any fuel fumes from your bilge area. fuel fumes and any spark go boom, then ya could test yer fire extiguiser system. hum, well, ya get the idea. as for runnin it all the time. it sure can't hurt. might go thru a few blower motors that way, but at least yer very sure that fuel fumes are probably not accumulatein in yer bilge.
don't know about the bilge pump question. i'm a trailer boater. mine aint auto either. i generally look to see i aint leakin when i throw it into the water, then after i go out a bit. i try it and see if anythings comeing out the exit hole. i'm pretty sure my boat don't leak, so i don't turn it on to often. just once in a while to make sure i still aint leakin. when i do turn it on, i like to have my bow high so any water goes to the back of the boat to be picked up by the bilge pump. oh, i turn it on if i get a wave over the bow and it starts to fill up my boat or in the rain for sure too. ya'd be surprised how fast rain water accumulates....i suppose the best answer for both of us would be a auto version......if yer boats sits in the water all the time. a auto version would be a nessesity i'd think......

 

[Maps]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

My boat stays at the dock. So the first thing I turn on is the battery switch and then the blower. By the time we load the boat and remove the camper top the blower is on more than 5 mins.
While the motor is running idle the blower is also on. I rather change a blower as resutl of what could happen...

My bilge pump is automatic. Even if the battery switch is off it is operationnel. The rain water seems to get through some how. I noticed this when the boat was in me drive way and the bow was lower than the stern. So I guess the bilge pump cannot remove the water that way.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

The blower motor needs to be on prior to starting up. Once you are running, the intake system is pulling plenty of fresh air into the engine compartment.

The bilge pump should be run whenever there is enough water in the bilge that would need to be evacuated. An automatic bilge pump is very handy for this.​

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

The blower motor needs to be on prior to starting up. Once you are running, the intake system is pulling plenty of fresh air into the engine compartment.

I do the same as above and when I am in a wake zone or just sitting in Idle, Any time I am not at least running at almost half throttle I flip the blower switch on , But I don't run it above half throttle.​

 

[Sea Ray]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

Sounds like I need to start using it a bit more.

My engine is fuel injected, I would guess that this helps a little with keeping the fumes out??

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

Sounds like I need to start using it a bit more.

My engine is fuel injected, I would guess that this helps a little with keeping the fumes out??

The only fumes I worry about is fuel, and I always do a check by taking off my cover to see/smell if there is gas leaking,not only that I have a carb that could leak(isn't) you just never know while under way, anything can happen at any time, Just good boating sense. Oh and something about engine lock from heat inside the cover at idle speeds too

 

[Maps]

Re: Blower and Bilge Pump

step one : remove cover

step two : use a lighter near the engine to ensure there is no fumes left

step three : if your still in one peace consider yourself one lucky bastard !!!

I've seen this done around engines before (connecting wires). If a chap try's this near you... RUN LIKE HELL !!!