Do you run blower continuously

[Sea Six]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I agree with SteveZ. The Coast Guard safety course and my owner's manual say run the pump for a minimum of 4 minutes before starting the engine.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I run the blower before starting, but also installed one of these:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?prod_id=38734 <br /><br />I pause the key in the on position for a second to make sure it doesn't sound before starting.

 

[QC]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I accidentally ran my blower while underway and it sucked a loose price tag into it from the bilge. Just enough adhesive on it to stop a fin and blow the fuse. Thought for sure the blower was toast until I pulled it apart and found the little sticky POS. Now I have a spare (blower not pricetag).<br /><br />I didn't mean to run it then and don't now except prior to start-up. Plenty of air gets sucked in by the engine(s), BillP has this one right.

 

[Regal-89]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I have always thought I ran my blower like you should, I always use the blower a couple of minutes before starting and after fueling. After now reading these post I need to go and make sure my blower is set up correctly(in the right position/location) I have a 89 Raven Runabout with mercruiser 3.7 alphaone. Can someone give me an idea how things should be set up? Also an idea of how I could possible get another blower set up. Thanks in advance for any help, and sorry if I hacked in on this post for other questions.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Quietcat...I don't necessarily agree with you on this one but that's ok. The blower is meant to draw gas fumes (heavier than regular air) from down in the bilge not suck fresh air in (although that happens as the bilge air is displaced). Even as you are running fast there is no guarantee that the engines will draw air up from the bilge instead straight in from the vents. I've always left my blowers (2) on all the time while the engines are running, may not always be necessary but it hasn't hurt anything so far. They are good quality squirrel cage type blowers and you can't hardly hear them, have to hold your hand over the vent to feel the air coming out.

 

[tommays]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

the manual with my boat recomends the normal 5 minute time before starting and after fueling<br /><br />and then useing it below planeing speeds<br /><br />boats like cobalt have a much better vent for the motor box than almost any other boat i have seen <br /><br />most are sealed tite to keep noise down and seam to ignore then need for good air flow<br /><br />tommays

 

[QC]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Bobbin' boat man,<br /><br />Contrary to some others' thoughts, dissagreement and debate are what these boards are about. No prah, dude . . . <br /><br />I am rethinking the off plane use, but I believe there is more turbulence (air) going on in the engine compartment than we tend to think. When running like these engines do, they are moving a lot of air. You are dead right about the hose location etc.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

In my 18 foot open bow Larson with OMC 4.3, there are vents in the rear that allow air to flow in when at cruising speed. I run it a startup, but then I usually open the motor cover a sniff around a bit.<br /><br />My 2 cents.

 

[pinfante]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Since there should never be fumes in the bilge, two things need to be wrong to cause an explosion, right?<br /><br />(1) Fumes present (something is broke)<br />(2) Something generates a spark (another thing broken)<br /><br />Am I thinking of this correclty? Two things need to be broken to have an explosion? Not to say it couldn't happen, but just wondering if I'm missing something.

 

[pinfante]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Originally posted by garycinn:<br /> I run the blower before starting, but also installed one of these:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?prod_id=38734 <br /><br />I pause the key in the on position for a second to make sure it doesn't sound before starting.

I have one of these too. I put it on a seperate switch and leave it on for a whole day of boating (as opposed to having to listen to the engine stall beep while waiting for the light to go out).<br /><br />Also, the sensor will last longer if it is powered on/off less often and is actually made to be left on all the time. This is according to the mfg docs.

 

[ewenm]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

one of the best reasons to have multi point fuel injection is that the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber and is not sitting around in a carby. and while it is not imposible to get a loose fitting it is in my oppinion a lot safer than a carby system. i always check after fueling but one simply doesnt get the fuel smell associated with carbys so while using the blower is important i dont sweat blood if i sometimes forget

 

[garycinn]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Originally posted by pinfante:<br />

Originally posted by garycinn:<br /> I run the blower before starting, but also installed one of these:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?prod_id=38734 <br /><br />I pause the key in the on position for a second to make sure it doesn't sound before starting.

I have one of these too. I put it on a seperate switch and leave it on for a whole day of boating (as opposed to having to listen to the engine stall beep while waiting for the light to go out).<br /><br />Also, the sensor will last longer if it is powered on/off less often and is actually made to be left on all the time. This is according to the mfg docs.

That is a great idea. I will do that -- thanks.

 

[HotLava]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Hi Everyone,<br /><br />Newbie here with a few questions. I have a I/O with MPI. Do I need to be overly concerned with the 5 min deal or is this mostly concern over evaporative fumes from the carb? Also. WHEN do you initally turn on the blower? Before you launch or while you're sitting and waiting to launch?<br /><br />Thanks<br />john

 

[QC]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Just for clarification. MPI and direct injection (DI) are not the same thing. MPI engines do NOT inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber. They do inject fuel directly into the intake port, but that is still outside the combustion chamber, so it is possible to get fumes back out of the intake.<br /><br />Basically, all diesels are direct injection (yes, I know about pre-combustion, but for this discussion, all diesels are DI in comparison), and almost all spark ignited engines are still homogenous charged. What's that? It means that the air and fuel are mixed BEFORE they reach the combustion chamber. There are a couple of exceptions in the 4 cycle world (none Marine as far as I know) and some 2 cycle DI's.<br /><br />

Originally posted by HotLava:<br /> Before you launch or while you're sitting and waiting to launch?

Not sure what the difference is, but you should run the blower before you crank it.

 

[gspig]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

If this (running a blower) is such a big safety issue, why don't manufacturers have them wired to run while the engine is running and have a start delay for the blower to run before starting?

 

[HotLava]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I guess where I was headed is this: If you start the blower once it hits the water, you have to sit there for 5 min before starting, tying up the launch. So I guess I was asking if people usually start the blower while waiting to launch so when you get the boat in the water, you can start it immediatly.<br /><br />Thank you for the information.

 

[QC]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

LavaBoy,<br /><br />I run my blower right after I turn the battery switch on, which is the first thing I do when I get in the boat as the wife backs the trailer down. This way nobody is waitin' on me on the ramp as you have noted.<br /><br />BTW, every time I see your signature I am reminded of a time I went into the kitchen and one of my sons, then three, jumped out from behind a couch in the adjacent family room and yelled "watch out, that's hot yava" as he pointed to the kitchen tiles . . .

 

[HotLava]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Thanks Quietcat. Heh, my son is *VERY* into volcanos at the moment. Everything is hot lava, boat included. LOL. Gotta love kids.

 

[QC]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Originally posted by HotLava:<br /> Gotta love kids.

Usually . . . two of them just got home from school and they are distracting me as I pretend to work.