Bilge blower & hose set-up

TickledPinkTickledPink Member Posts: 112 ✭✭
in General Boating Discussions
When i bought my boat, on one side of the bilge blower was a hose that wasn't connected, the other end of which was sat on top of the water container. Nothing was attached to the other side of the blower. 
See photos.
Can you please tell me how this should all be set up? I've bought new hose.
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  • IanIan Member Posts: 3,004 ✭✭✭✭
    Ideally the bottom end (nothing on it) should have hose into the lowest part of the line and the to[ attached to the vent out. What you have now is no venting and a dangerous situation.

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 906 ✭✭✭
    edited January 11
    First turn on the blower motor and confirm it works, it should blow air towards the hose that is disconnected. Replace if not working or weak airflow. Connect the new hose to the  blower using a hose clamp. The other end connects to the vent on the side of the hull, again with a clamp. DO NOT OPERATE THE BOAT UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. IT SHOULD BE TURNED ON A FEW MINUTES BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE(S) TO EXHAUST ANY GAS FUMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PREVENT AN EXPLOSION.
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,978 mod
    edited January 11
    Personally, I would not use the boat in that condition. Like @Ian said - it's a dangerous situation.  

    If you have explosive fuel vapor in the engine bay, the vapor will collect in the lowest part of the bilge.  The intake side of the blower needs a hose that hangs all the way down to the lowest part of the bilge so it can grab that fuel vapor.  The output hose connects to a vent on the side of the boat to evacuate the fuel vapor.  

    Also check the automatic fire extinguisher in the engine room.  At the top of the fire extinguisher, there's a sensor with two wires.  With your blower running, disconnect one of those wires.  It should turn off the blower.  The reason is that if you have a fire, you don't want the blower feeding fresh air into the engine room.  
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 906 ✭✭✭
    Yes @LaRea, I should have mentioned connecting a hose to the blower intake.
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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 113 ✭✭
    FWIW I had bilge blower issues for a little bit, and continued to use the boat. Before starting the engines I would open the hatch to perform my engine checks. While down there I made sure i didn't smell any fumes, then I would leave the hatch open while starting the engines.
    2006 342EC
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  • TickledPinkTickledPink Member Posts: 112 ✭✭
    edited January 16
    I don't recall seeing a vent. Where is this likely to be? Does anyone have a picture? 
    The blower does work. I also don't recall an automatic fire extinguisher. 
    Up $hit creek with this.
    Post edited by raybo3 on
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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 113 ✭✭
    My boat is a 342, the vents are here: 


    2006 342EC
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 17
    On the back side of that vent there is a flange to attach the hose to. That being said, those plastic vent/connection is cheap and mine were only remnants when we bought the boat- you could just have an open hull there! If you have a dingy package, you may have another vent under the rear seat. On my 270, like your vessel, you may have 4 vents, two on each side- as far as I know nothing is hooked to those- perhaps if you had two motors you would have a blower for each side. 
    As far as your fire suppression,  I'd be surprised if you had one. It may have been standard on rinkers larger boats-and / or optional- I don't have one, at least as far as I know! I've pulled my motor and transom assembly myself so I'm pretty confident. Our's is an 06 so maybe newer boats it was a safety requirement. Looks like commercial boats and recreational boats over 65' it is required.  I would make sure you have two good extinguishers on board. I keep one up top and one below. I've used my microwave extensively but I've never used the achol stove. I have a gas grille on the transom- if something goes wrong I can kick the whole thing in the water.  Plus, cooking smells in our size boats....yuk.

    Welcome to the forum. Great info here. You can search forums for a pretty good spread of years. Since rinker is no longer in business it's been a concern how long this site would stay up- somebody must be footing the bill and no advertising...

    If this is your first boat I'd suggest contacting a local coast guard or auxiliary in your area. I belive they will be happy to assist you with safety inspection of your new boat. I'd make that priority one if you are a new boaters. Breaking down sucks but nothing compared to a fire or explosion on the water. I always run that bilge blower on the way to the ramp and open the hatch, sniff the exhaust from the blower. If I break down I have seatow (another strong recommend depending on your boating travel). If I catch on fire....
    Post edited by rasbury on
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  • TickledPinkTickledPink Member Posts: 112 ✭✭
    Thanks everyone. As always, your advice is priceless and very much appreciated. 
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