Engine Blower purpose

[panamajim]

Could you tell me what exactly the purpose of the blower in the engine compartment. Remove heat and fumes? Put air into the compartment or what?
My blower is very loud and recently making a squealing noise so I shut it off and opened the engine room door to release heat build up while motoring.


Thanks

 

[Steve Dion]

I believe that it is for heat buildup.

I would contact Hunter Marine for their answer.

 

[Keith13369]

Is your boat equipped with a built -in propane storage locker? If so the blower is to remove possible propane vapors from the engine compartment prior to strating the engine. The blower should be run for 5minutes before starting the engine since propane is heavier than air.

 

[Raftco]

Check out USCG CFR's for blowers:

Sec. 183.610 Powered ventilation system.

(a) Each compartment in a boat that has a permanently
installedgasoline engine with a cranking motor must:
(1) Be open to the atmosphere, or
(2) Be ventilated by an exhaust blower system.
(b) Each exhaust blower or combination of blowers must be rated atan
air flow capacity not less than that computed by the formulas givenin
Table 183.610, Column 2. Blower rating must be determined accordingto
AMCA Standard 210-74, Figure 12, or UL Standard 1128.


The blower is there to vent out gas fumes before you start the engine if you have an inboard. You should run the blower for 5 - 10 minutes before starting the engine, especially if you have just fueled up your boat. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it is as neccessary on diesel boats. Gas fumes will sit low and collect and if not vented or sucked out with the blower can cause an explosion when starting the engine.

 

[petersea]

engine room blowers are not required on a diesel powered boat, however on gasoline powered boat they are a required item. some builders install them to remove heat (exhaust air out) and some install them to bring air in. Check and see what your blower does.Some of the new engines (especial with turbo's) need lots of air to operate correctly. Propane lockers should be self venting outside the boat but never a bad idea to run a venting blower if equipped for a few minutes before starting engine and it does help cool the engine room thus the boat interior after using the engine . My bet is your's is an exhaust blower and used to cool the engine compartment after use.

 

[Guest]

Heat

Our P42 has a blower system that exhausts heated air from the engine room. I've never had a need to use it here in the PNW. In warmer climates running the genset for extended periods to operate the reverse cycle heat pumps that keep the interior cool from the blistering heat outside can cause a substantial heat build up ergo the exhaust air system. It becomes even more important if you run the genset and the main propulsion engine at the same time, say while motoring in comfort to the next anchorage.

Terry Cox