Cat 30 blower

[npettett]

Today I rewired the blower switch so I can run the blower without having the key on. Definitely a safety improvement.

 

[pk104]

Curious why you felt that needed to be one. What year boat do you have? Gas?

 

[npettett]

1990 cat 30 with a diesel.

 

[Lost Parent]

Why do you need the blower I have a 1982 with a diesel and only use the blower to cool engine comp fown on long engine journey

 

[npettett]

That is also why I use the blower, but why leave the ignition key on all the time.

 

[Lost Parent]

Generally only needed when motor is running so key should be on

 

[npettett]

I'll bottom line this: I run the blower before starting, during fueling, and after shutting engine off. The way it's wired originally defeats the whole purpose of the blower safety feature, energizing the starter circuit before removing fumes is not correct and I don't care what fuel it is.

 

[Lost Parent]

Ok

 

[dj2210]

I'm thinking of adding a 120 vac muffin fan in the same blower hose so the fan can run all the time the boat is in the slip for ventilation. I do have a day/night solar fan in the main salon port but that doesn't seem to provide enough air flow.

 

[Echo Gulf]

I'm hoping that it was just a typo or a poorly worded sentence, but, running the blower while fueling is the equivalent of checking the gas tank with a lit match.

 

[rbmcintire]

Blower on the diesel is for ventilating the engine compartment while running to help reduce heat while assisting air flow to the air intake of the engine. I could also see a benefit to using it for ventilating the cabin while away, but we use a solar exhaust vent mounted above the vee-berth and then draw the make up air through slots in the companionway boards.

Rob

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Those with propane stoves, don't discount the effectiveness of using the blower to evacuate those potentially explosive fumes. Like gasoline, propane fumes are heavier than air and have similar explosive force.

And you dieselites thought you were safe . . . . .

 

[Echo Gulf]

Those with propane stoves, don't discount the effectiveness of using the blower to evacuate those potentially explosive fumes. Like gasoline, propane fumes are heavier than air and have similar explosive force.

And you dieselites thought you were safe . . . . .

Understanding the limitations of propane, some of us "dieselites" shun it and use CNG for it's lighter than air properties or, because of the "break" the insurance company gives us for using it.:stirthepot:

EG

 

[Stu Jackson]

Suckers, too

Blowers on boats with diesel engines are there simply because the builders forgot to take them out once gas engines weren't being installed anymore.

The fact that skippers got creative in the use of the now-remaining blowers (or suckers depending on your point of view ) is a tribute to the ingenuity of those skippers.

 

[jrowan]

I always run my blower unit before engaging the glow plugs & starting the diesel just in case of any built up propane gas, or fumes in the bilge as Neil points out. You cannot be too careful, only too lazy. The idea of running it to cool down the cabin & engine copartment some after running the engine for long periods of time is a good one.