Top Fishing Gadgets
Marine Engine Blower
Marine Engine Blower: An Engine Blower is also called a “Bilge Blower”. Your boat’s engine compartment can become contaminated with dangerous gases that become flammable if they accumulate. If you let these gasses continue to build up inside your boat, it could sink. Something like a small spark or static electricity can cause an explosion on your beloved boat.
To prevent this from taking place, the boats will need to expel the gases in order to eliminate the possibility of an explosion. Hence, a bilge blower is used on boats for this specific purpose.
Installation
Installing a bilge blower, also known as a blower motor, in the transom of your boat is similar to installing a small exhaust fan. In most cases, you will need to connect the blower to a hose that extends all the way into the inboard engine compartment. The other end of the blower is then connected to a bilge vent that is located on the exterior of your boat.
The hazardous fumes from the engine compartment are drawn into the bilge by the bilge blower. And sends them out of the boat through the vent where they were generated. This stops the gas from accumulating in your engine room, which would otherwise raise the possibility of an explosion occurring on board! To prevent this from taking place, the boats will need to expel the gases in order to eliminate the possibility of an explosion. Hence, a bilge blower is used on boats for this specific purpose.
(Article about “BOAT SAFETY 101 – Run your blower motors!” on beckinsurance.com)
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Marine Engine Blower: Q & A’s on the internet
How do most boat fires start?
Battery fires can be triggered by improper connections, chafed wires, and worn-out switches, but operator error is the most prevalent cause. This can include connecting the cables backward, connecting them in series when they should have been connected in parallel, or vice versa.
How does a blower work?
After entering the hub of the impellers, the air is then distributed across the various blades of the impellers. Centrifugal force is used to increase both the volume and speed of the stream of air. Because of this, the air is accelerated to a high velocity, and it is then contained in the blower housing, which results in pressure being created.
Should you run your boat blower all the time? (Marine Engine Blower)
The majority of bilge blowers are not designed to work in a continuous fashion. That way, you can put an end to them! However, before starting the engine, you need to let them run for at least four minutes in order to allow the bilge to properly vent. This will eliminate any gas buildup that may have occurred in the bilge due to the presence of gas.
What is the bilge on a boat?
The bilge is the section of a ship or boat’s hull that would touch the ground without water. It is the transition from the bottom of a hull to the sides of a hull that is referred to as the “turn of the bilge.”
What is the blower motor?
The blower motor pumps heated or cooled air via dashboard vents dependent on climate control settings and fan speed. When the fan speed is changed, a signal is sent to the blower motor through a resistor, telling it to either quicken its pace or slow it down, depending on the setting.
What precautions should I take when filling the tank?
Make sure the boat is safely anchored to the fueling dock and that the engine is turned off before proceeding.
Have your passengers step off the boat and onto the dock while you unload any portable fuel tanks that may be present. This will assist in maintaining the boat’s stability and reduce the likelihood of any spills occurring.
Check to see that no one is lighting up or smoking in the area and that there are no open flames. In addition to this, you need to turn off any electrical equipment that has the potential to spark.
Put all windows, doors, and hatches that could allow gasoline fumes into their closed positions. After you have finished refueling the boat, you will want to ensure that all of the doors, windows, and hatches are open so that fresh air can enter and move throughout the vessel.
Holding the nozzle firmly against the fill pipe opening will prevent static electricity from accumulating, which is the last safety measure you should take before filling your tank.
What would cause a boat engine to explode?
Before starting the engine of the watercraft, the improper ventilation of the vessel or the failure of the blower system is the two causes of explosions that occur most frequently. It is critical to turn on the ventilation system in your boat before beginning to operate the engine because it is common for fuel vapors to condense in the engine compartment or the bilges of the boat.
When should you use the blower on a boat?
Four minutes is the bare minimum amount of time that the blower should be on in order to properly ventilate the bilge. However, before you turn it on, you should rely on the olfactory organ that is one of the most sensitive in your possession, which is your nose. There is no way for the bilge blower to clean up the spilled fuel, so the compartment will continue to give off vapors.
Why is it called a blower?
This is due to the fact that the slang term originates from a mechanical device that came before the telephone known as the speaking tube. Each end of the speaking tube had a whistle attached to the end of it. You removed your stopper and blew down the tube in order to make the other whistle sound in order to attract the attention of the person who was at the other end of the tube.
Why is my boat blower not working?
If there was a circuit that was open anywhere in the system, the blower would not operate and the light would not turn on. Whether it be a fuse that has blown, a connection that is not securely fastened, a faulty switch, or a malfunctioning blower motor. If it’s a blown fuse, there could be a number of different reasons why it blew.
Why should a boat’s gas tank never be completely filled?
It is essential that you never fill the tank of your boat more than 90 percent of the way full at any given time. This allows space for the gas to expand and eliminates the possibility of it overflowing.
Check that the fuel tank’s air vents and any valves that connect to it are open.
When you are finished refueling, make sure the gas cap is on securely. Because of this, fuel vapors will not be able to escape. Immediately clean up any spills or leakage that may have occurred.
Before you start the engine back up, give the exhaust a good whiff to see if any of the fumes have gotten out. If you smell fumes, increase the amount of air that is circulating through the area, and wait until the fumes have completely dissipated before starting the engine.
MARINE CITY 12-Volt 3- Inches Diameter Hose Bilge Blower 158 CFM CE Certificate for Boat Heads Engine Compartments Bilges Galleys RVS Buses Sheds More
CE certificate Produced using an ABS Injection Molding Process. Perfect for use in the engine room, bilges, compartments, galleys, and head closets
Fan with five blades that maximizes airflow and efficiency while drawing low amps Motor for a longer life for the blower and the battery
A watertight boot covering the motor serves as a barrier against the ingress of water.
The hose has a diameter of 3 inches, a current of 12 volts direct current, a length of 5 inches, amps of 2.5, and 158 cubic feet per minute.
PROS and CONS from verified buyers on Amazon
As you can see there are both positive and negative impressions of the product… So you can clearly see that every person has his own opinion, and what is good for one person, is bad for another, and vice versa. Therefore, you can actually really rate the product if you try it out yourself. The choice is yours!
PROS
- This thing is pretty loud but man it blows a LOT of air. I’m very impressed.
- Great product. Easy to install. Replaced old blower perfectly.
- It was a fair price for what you get and it works well so can’t complain.
CONS
- My only complaint would be its noise …
- Broken After 10 mins use.
SEAFLO 4″ in-Line Marine Bilge Air Blower 12V 270 CFM Quiet Boat White
12 volts direct current; 270 cubic feet per minute of flow capacity (Cubic Feet per minute)
Current Draw: 6 Amp Draw, Suitable for a 4 Inch Hose Diameter
Ventilation is provided for the engine compartments, as well as the galleys, bilges, and heads.
Construction is made of white ABS plastic with molded mounting brackets already integrated into the design.
motor housing that is resistant to water and has a design that prevents corrosion, both of which are necessary for use in marine environments
PROS and CONS from verified buyers on Amazon
As you can see there are both positive and negative impressions of the product… So you can clearly see that every person has his own opinion, and what is good for one person, is bad for another, and vice versa. Therefore, you can actually really rate the product if you try it out yourself. The choice is yours!
PROS
- This is a great fan that puts out a lot of air!
- Good job SEAFLO!
- Works well for my intended purpose. I made a homemade air cooler.
- Has a powerful suction to it.
- The noise level isn’t bad at all.
- It is the most effective I have seen so far.
- Installation is a breeze.
CONS
- I bought both the 3″ and 4″ to compare the two. 3″ works fine, but 4″ didn’t draw hardly any current and ran slow – 0.14A.
- Super loud. Can hear it across the street.
- Burnt out after 3 weeks.
- When it ran which was 43 minutes it moved a lot of air. Then it stopped.
Oasis Marine in-Line Bilge Boat Air Blower 4-inch 12V Exhaust Fan (2-Year Warranty)
Oasis Marine – Warranty for Two Years
Very low current consumption, very high airflow, 12 volts, 6 amps, 4-inch outlet hose
White ABS plastic housing is resistant to corrosion and has a sealed motor shaft for optimal protection against moisture.
Mounting feet already built in make installation both vertically and horizontally simple.
A fan with six blades is designed to maximize airflow and efficiency.
PROS and CONS from verified buyers on Amazon
As you can see there are both positive and negative impressions of the product… So you can clearly see that every person has his own opinion, and what is good for one person, is bad for another, and vice versa. Therefore, you can actually really rate the product if you try it out yourself. The choice is yours!
PROS
- Very powerful. Using my k40 laser. Of course, I have to use a separate power supply but I had one it’s worth it.
- It is noisy but it certainly moves a lot of air
- After 30 hours of operation still working great!
- It’s perfect for what I need it for.
- It works perfectly to cool down the motor for the boat.
CONS
- Lasted 5 months of occasional use and died. Was really hoping to get more time out of that.
- Just Installed it and the blades all blew apart.
- Works great kinda a noisemaker
- These are NOT quiet fans.
Finally
This brings me to the conclusion of this article. I hope you enjoyed it, and please feel free to leave any questions, more information, comments, ambiguities, or untruths in the comments.