Blower and Engine Compartment Ventilation

[Bulbash]

Guys,

I found a spare blower motor laying around and started thinking what if I can use it to push fresh air into the engine compartment. Currently there is one blower utilizing one air exhaust gate / port on the starboard side of the boat to push air out of the bilge, on the port side there is an intake / exhaust which is not connected to anything. I was thinking of running a flex pipe and connecting blower in such a manner that it will push air inside of the engine compartment. What do you guys think?

 

[bruceb58]

Don't do it. When you are running at speed, that exhaust vent will have way more air moving out of it than the blower could possibly have. Plus, it would severely be restrictive with the blower in there if you happen not to have it on ALL the time.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Canadian regulations state, "

• The Small Vessel Regulations require that all gasoline-powered boats, constructed in a way that would entrap vapours, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove the vapours. At least one exhaust duct must extend from the open atmosphere to the lower bilge. At least one intake duct must extend from a point at least midway to the bilge or below the level of the carburetor air intake.

Sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[Bulbash]

OK, I guess it will make sense that in my boat duct will be connected to the exhaust blower, sucking air from the bilge. The second duct will be naturally aspired, I will turn the grill on the duct in such a way that air will be pushed in when driving forward and I will attach flex pipe so the fresh air will make its way to the engine compartment.

 

[UncleWillie]

Blowing air into the bilge would be mixing fresh air with the fuel vapors if there were any. Bad idea.

When under way, even a 3L engine at WOT is going to be pulling nearly 7500L (265CuFt.) of air per minute.
The blower would only restrict the flow.

Turning the vents forward may allow more water splash to enter the ducts.

If it "ain't" broke, don't Fix it!

 

[garbageguy]

+1 on responses from bruce and willie