bilge blowers

[beanz2166]

Been reading about these for a couple days now, is this something that most boats already have or is it a very good aftermarket accessory to buy? If they are not standard on boats how painfull are they to install?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: bilge blowers

All they are ......is a small fan that is mounted with a flex pipe (similar to a clothes dryer vent) to remove the gas fumes from the engine compartment. Simple to install..........

Do you have an I/O or inboard? There "should" be one in there and there should be air vents on the back of the boat too.

 

[beanz2166]

Re: bilge blowers

All they are ......is a small fan that is mounted with a flex pipe (similar to a clothes dryer vent) to remove the gas fumes from the engine compartment. Simple to install..........

Do you have an I/O or inboard? There "should" be one in there and there should be air vents on the back of the boat too.

I have an i/o this is my first boat, and I havent even seen it yet, get getting a list together of things to check for when I finally do see it So assuming there is one in there Im also assuming there should be a switch on the console to work it

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: bilge blowers

Yes, there should be a switch on the dash and you NEED to run the blower for a few minutes (3-5) before you start to clear out gas fumes. Gas fumes being heavier then air can accumulate inside the hull and below the deck...... one spark can ruin your day.

Hmmm..... first boat? I recommend you take a USCG Safety Course.

Have fun and be safe.

 

[JoLin]

Re: bilge blowers

Yup- there's a switch on the dash and you'll easily hear the fan run if it's working.

 

[Augoose]

Re: bilge blowers

Just to further explain how they work because I've seen then installed backwards- the blower is usually 3" or 4" in diameter (mine is 4") and it is mounted vertically somewhere on the transom. It should SUCK fumes out and blow them OUT of the boat vs BLOWING fresh air IN. You then take a length of vinyl (not foil!) 3" or 4" duct (depending on what type of blower you have) and hang it down and into the bilge as low as you can go - try to avoid any turns and certainly any crimps so you get the largest volume of airflow you can. You then take your upper section and run it out some vents which I'm assuming you have somewhere at the back of the boat. Sometimes these vents are just an open cup and sometimes they are horizontal vents, almost like hood louvers. Shoot us a photo of the back of your boat and we can likely point them out.
The iBoats store here has the blower for about $40 or $50 bucks- very cheap insurance plus I'm sure they are required anyway!
For the wiring, either find the old switch which your boat should have or pick up a switch of your choice- toggle, rocker, push button, etc, just be sure its marine grade and weather resistant. The leads then run as a large circuit, or circle. Outbound on one side of the switch to the battery and then to the blower and then back to the switch - and then a ground of course. When you close the switch, the circuit completes and turns the blower on. I'm sure you know all of this and I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence - maybe someone else reading this thread through a search might find it useful! I'd recommend adding an inline fuse, 5 amp should be sufficient, but check with the manufacturers recommendation on the blower packaging to be sure of what amperage you need.
Good luck!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: bilge blowers

You probably have a blower already installed (It's a USCG requirement) and never noticed....... just check the hose connections, direction of air flow and try it out before you head to the water.

 

[southkogs]

Re: bilge blowers

Beanz - If I've got my memory workin' right - you're deployed and your wife recently bought a boat for y'all: mid-90's I/O, right?

If that's correct - you'll have blowers installed. If they work is another question, but there on the boat. Probably a rocker switch right up by the helm.

Like Bob said, switch the blower on prior to engine start to evacuate any fumes in the compartment. While you're running, the boat has some venting that will drive air in, venting the space - but at idle or lower speeds you'll probably wanna' run the blower. There's more to it than that - as suggested, getcha' into a boat safety course (I wouldn't be surprised if the squids on post have one when you get back). But the main thing to keep in mind is keeping that engine space vented - always.

 

[tazrig]

Re: bilge blowers

Just to further explain how they work because I've seen then installed backwards- the blower is usually 3" or 4" in diameter (mine is 4") and it is mounted vertically somewhere on the transom. It should SUCK fumes out and blow them OUT of the boat vs BLOWING fresh air IN. You then take a length of vinyl (not foil!) 3" or 4" duct (depending on what type of blower you have) and hang it down and into the bilge as low as you can go - try to avoid any turns and certainly any crimps so you get the largest volume of airflow you can. You then take your upper section and run it out some vents which I'm assuming you have somewhere at the back of the boat. Sometimes these vents are just an open cup and sometimes they are horizontal vents, almost like hood louvers. Shoot us a photo of the back of your boat and we can likely point them out.
The iBoats store here has the blower for about $40 or $50 bucks- very cheap insurance plus I'm sure they are required anyway!
For the wiring, either find the old switch which your boat should have or pick up a switch of your choice- toggle, rocker, push button, etc, just be sure its marine grade and weather resistant. The leads then run as a large circuit, or circle. Outbound on one side of the switch to the battery and then to the blower and then back to the switch - and then a ground of course. When you close the switch, the circuit completes and turns the blower on. I'm sure you know all of this and I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence - maybe someone else reading this thread through a search might find it useful! I'd recommend adding an inline fuse, 5 amp should be sufficient, but check with the manufacturers recommendation on the blower packaging to be sure of what amperage you need.
Good luck!

^^^+1 If for any reason your blower isn't working be sure to open the engine compartment fully (sniff down low to make sure no gas fumes are present) before starting. As someone pointed out, gas fumes and just one spark can ruin your whole day!

 

[boatpoker]

Re: bilge blowers

80% of the gasoline engine compartment ventilation systems I see are incorrectly installed.
Check this out to see how it should be done Safe Gasoline Ventilation in Boats