Do you run blower continuously

[cmyers_uk]

Before I start my boat I open the engine compartment and stick my head in to check for fumes then I run the blower when I start the engine and leave it running all the time the engine is started even at WOT or tickover. What do other people do?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I run the blower for 5 minutes and lift the engine compartment cover and start the motors.I leave it on until I shut the motors down.Many turn the blower off at cruising speed but run the chance of not remembering to turn it on again.Charlie

 

[BillP]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I turn blowers off when engines are running. Engines suck bilge air when running and continually purge fumes.

 

[rml]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I run my blowers before starting, while fueling and when underway at headway speed only.<br /><br />--rml

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

rml.....you should NEVER run your blowers while fueling, you can actually suck gas fumes into your bilge that way. Next time at the fuel dock check out the sign that should have the proper procedures for fueling and it will say "turn off blower"

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I run blower for a few minutes before each start up and stick my ample snoz in front of the outlet vent. I lift the dog house if I've just refueled or very hot days just to make sure. I run my blower all the time on hot days. I have a spare blower and tools to fit if needed.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Thanks guys, obviously Im not a nut running it all the time!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Chris,<br /><br />Most of the blower motors are not continuous duty motors and will burn out. I am with BillP on this one, run the blower for 5 minutes or more prior to starting and give her the schnoz test for fumes and once running it should be fine. The funnelrators should provide enough air flow and the engine moves enough air through to keep the bilge clear of fume build up. If you have a build up of fumes on a regular basis, find out why. This is technically a closed system within the boat. The vent is outside the boat. If fumes are building up check your carb, and fuel lines and the seal on the fuel gauge sensor. Otherwise you are more likely going to have a greater threat from the blower motor creating a spark from meltdown then from not running it. JMHO.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

You VERY rarely hear of a boat blowing up if you run the blower before starting and then running with it off. And after all, isn't that what it's all about...

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I've yet to hear of any boat ever blowing up! I run it for a few minutes before setting out and after sitting for a while while fishing. That should be all you ever need.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Trust me...they can and do blow up. While I have never personally witnessed it, I have been on the scene immediately afterwards on three occasions. Two of them burnt to the waterline and sank...an 18' runabout and a 50' houseboat. The third was an older 35' wooden Chris Craft that blew leaving the fuel dock...threw a passenger about 20' into the water and took out about a 5' square section of the side. Guy was quickly retrieved pretty much unharmed and the boat was towed to a nearby Travelift and pulled. It happens...use your blower and make sure that all of your ignition components are marine grade.

 

[ED21]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Cobra,<br />Just this past weekend I read of a boat blowing up & seriously injuring 3 people.<br /><br />It happened to a friend when a loose battery connection sparked in the bilge & ignited fumes. The boat burned to the waterline<br /><br />Haven't you seen the safety ad - a cup of vaporized gas equals about 4 sticks of dynamite.<br /><br />When I was a kid, my sister started the outboard & because of a small fuel leak the cover flew about 15' in the air & the engine caught fire. It was the only time I've ever needed a fire extinguiser & it didn't work because the charge was gone.(Before they used guages).

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

A boat blew up just last Friday a couple miles from where I live. <br /> News Story<br /><br />Have a look at the picture of the 'Cape Islander'.<br />Although this artical seems to miss it, the boat was gasoline powered and the invesigators seemed pretty sure it was a gasoline explosion.

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I'm going to get in trouble for this....<br /><br />My blower always runs while she is in the boat with me....<br /><br />Sorry, could not resist. I'm an outboard guy...<br /><br />what's a blower?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Yikes!!! Never knew so many boats blow up ...and in such a short period of time!!!<br /><br />steam-mill a blower is a suction fan than expells any fumes from the enclosed engine compartment. Your blower is a little different!

 

[rhinohorn]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

steam_mill, A "blower" is a high-dollar date that never says "no" or a supercharger that you put on your smallblock Chevy 350 so it'll run like a Ford!<br /><br />Actually, my father's favorite yell at the lake was "Turn on the blower!" Man, did we kids jump at that! I now find myself yelling the same thing to my wife and kids. They may not know how to run the bildge pump, but they know where the blower switch is!<br /><br />Mine runs from the time I back up to the ramp and one of the family members gets in, usually my wife because she doesn't want to get wet that early in the morning, and runs until we are out of the "no wake" zone. I feel that it's extra important becuase we have to back out of the ramp area. I figure it's about four or five minutes...if I remember to turn it off. And you want to do that because that little, expensive, must-have motor is not designed to run all the time. <br /><br />I heard that Bill Clinton was a good blowhard, but I'd buy the George Bush model in an instant. Probably won't last as long though!!<br /><br />Boat on brothers!! Rhino

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Originally posted by Relentless:<br /> The third was an older 35' wooden Chris Craft that blew leaving the fuel dock...threw a passenger about 20' into the water and took out about a 5' square section of the side. Guy was quickly retrieved pretty much unharmed and the boat was towed to a nearby Travelift and pulled. It happens...use your blower and make sure that all of your ignition components are marine grade.

Strange sight, I've also witnessed a boat go kaaabbooommm, a beautiful blue flame took the top of the hull, the guy was cranking,cranking,cranking boom! Just before it went I was thinking about walking over and offering help.<br /><br />He was also unharmed, strangest thing I've every seen. I would have thought the paramedics would be hosing what was left of him of the hull.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[xecutech]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I have 2 blower motors on my boat, one on each side. Today, neither of them came on when I flipped the switch!<br />I don't think they both went bad since yesterday... fuse or switch? It was raining today and there was some water in the boat, so I couldn't check it out 100%

 

[Boatist]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

Out here in California I think about 50 percent of the boats bilge blowers are not set up correctly.<br />Many boat have no hose on the input to the blower and the blower is mounted half way up the transom. <br />Input hose should be attached to blower and run down to a low point in the bilge below the engine. Output of the blower should run to a cowling facing to the stern.<br /><br />Input hose to the bilge should come into the engine area at or above the flame arester. Cowling for input air should be faceing foward.<br /><br />While fueling blower should be off and all hatches closed. After fueling blower should be on and all hatches open. Use your personal gas detector (nose) before starting cranking motor.<br /><br />Know how much fuel you will need to fill and if it goes over find out where it went.<br />If you have a second cowling on each side with out a blower then again the one facing to the stern should run down below th engine. The one faceing foward should run to flame arester level or higher. <br /><br />One other thing is the output hoses should be below the engine but not so low it could be covered with bilge water.

 

[STeveZ]

Re: Do you run blower continuously

I grew up in a touristy area on the Great Lakes. Every year or two a boat would blow up at a gas dock, usually accompanied by serious injuries or fatalities.<br /><br />I run the blowers before starting and after fueling only. Running them while underway can disrupt or even counteract the designed-in flow of air through the bilge.