Blower Motor

[Celtichawk]

Okay everyone so I recently posted forum about my 1976 Seaswirl OMC 175HP. Well good news I got the transom replaced and managed to do it on my own. Have not water tested it yet so wish me luck as I keep fingers crossed. Anyways I'm posting a new question. I fired it up today and let it idle however I think my blower is not operating. No power that I know of unless its just bad and I will conduct electric test this week to see. I wanted to know if and what blower I would need to replace and where I can find one if need be. Thanks. Any advice on how to test it will be great as well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Blower Motor

Pick your replacement by size ie 3" or 4" hose here http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...ords.blower--searched.1--session_id.341249901

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: Blower Motor

^^^Thanks Bob_VT, now does anyone know the best way to test the blower? I know turning it on from dash panel seems to do nothing. So would a test light option work? If so could I ask the best way?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Blower Motor

Remove it and connect it directly to a known good battery. Or, turn the swich on and check for voltage at the motor. Of course checking the fuse is always a good first step. But then if the fuse is blown, one needs to determine WHY it blew. That is generally due to a motor whose bearings have tightened up.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: Blower Motor

I found where the power wire runs out of blower to wire leading to power source, and right at the connection I was able to get test light on to bare wire. I recieved power and light came on. So that tells me the blower is getting power and fuse good. The blower must have failed is the only thing I can think of now. I will try to remove it tomorrow and test it directly to a battery source. Surely if that does not work then my blower failed like you said ^^^. Thanks for this information.

One thing I noticed though right where I tested the power, wire coming out of blower to wires on boat, the connection felt very warm? Any sign of this being a bad wire source or perhaps bad ground? I get power but judging by the feel of it I would think over time it may melt wires. That would be bad since its located at the stern near inboard motor, heat+fumes=fire!

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: Blower Motor

Bob_VT: Should I just measure the diameter then of the duct hose? Or the blower itself?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Blower Motor

Don't dash off and buy a new blower just yet. Warm connections mean high resistance which equals a bad connection. If the motor is drawing enough current to warm the wire then there is a fuse problem as well (too high a rating). You did not ensure the motor has a good ground. Without it the motor can't run even though there is power TO the motor. Check the ground conenction. With the switch turned OFF, see if you can spin the blower wheel. If it turns hard you need a new blower.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: Blower Motor

I don't plan on buying one yet, however, I did managed to get the old one off yesterday. So I will test the blower wheel. I didn't see the ability to do so unless I remove it. Once I remove it check it if its faulty then I will consider ordering new one. If it does work then I will recheck my wiring. There was corrosion back there anyways along side the transom with all the metal surfaces due to salt water and its age so I imagine I may have other problems and wouldn't hurt to just rewire. Thanks for advice.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: Blower Motor

Thanks everyone I had some success. After removing the old blower and connected it to a battery source directly I found that blower did not work and appeared ceased for sure. So I went down to West Marine and purchased a suraflow for $32.00 3" size installed and works great. Littke noisy but why I care about that. Knowing that I can hear it helps to know its operating. Surely there will be many other repairs soon. Next year off season im gonna look into a full rehaul floor repair, stringers, transom repair, etc...


Take care everyone until my next repair and happy boating.

Btw I love reading the restoration. postings and stories. Makes me want to dive into mine.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Blower Motor

While I'm glad you're back in business, please be aware that you risked an explosion by starting the motor without running the blower for 5 minutes beforehand.