blower witch

[john]

My engine control panel includes a blower swith that controls nothing, not even any wires to it. Was this an optional item or did someone forget to install a few items as the boat came down teh assembly line?

 

[Don]

Gas engine requirement

Most likely your panel was designed when some boats were fitted with gas auxillary engines and blowers were needed to clear the bilge of dangerous gas fumes. I would expect your boat to have a diesel which uses #1 or #2 marine fuel that is not volital due to the slow burn rate thus no need for a blower instalation.It is important to be aware of any fuel spill or leakage because diesel fuel can ignite and has a high burn temperature, so wipe up any spills immediately.Good Luck and Good Sailing.

 

[Don Evans]

Possibly a Blower In Reverse?

Hello John, Don's scenario is possible as it could have had the larger Atomic 4 aboard at one time. Do you know the history of your boat? Because of the diesels' (assuming you have one aboard now?) need for lots of air, its possible a previous owner installed one and lead the air into the engine compartment in some fashion. Look for an entry hole for a bilge blower air hose. I have done this on my OD25 as I have sealed the majority of my engine box and soundproofed the interior of the box. I wired a blower in reverse to pull outside air into the engine box to supply the diesel with air. I left some space around the transmission as it exits the box as an air exit point. Kinda like supercharging your diesel....vroom...vroom.Don

 

[lnranch]

Same on O"day @8

My 1983 O'Day 28 has same panel and with a diesel. I quess they had some left over from gasoline engines`.