Blower motor access

[Les Luzar]

I am with Mike. When I bought my boat eight years ago, the blower did not work, and although I always think about replacing it, I never did. I always thought that when I run out of projects I may replace it, but I never got to it. It seems like there is no need to replace it. Is it really necessary?

[Phil Spicer]

   How do you fuel your stove ? ? ?  Most have propane & if it leaks outside the propane locker it will go to the bilge....Fix / replace & run your bilge blower. There is a reason it's there.....the safety of you and all aboard.
    If all fails, install a new blower in a new location and run a new hose or hook into the old hose where you can get to it under the aft cabin.
   Just another option

[Noah]

It is a good safety feature to have and use. I would fix it. I have also heard of some folks running it all the time they are motoring to help dissipate heat below decks.

[KWKloeber]

   How do you fuel your stove ? ? ?  Most have propane & if it leaks outside the propane locker it will go to the bilge....Fix / replace & run your bilge blower. There is a reason it's there.....the safety of you and all aboard.
    If all fails, install a new blower in a new location and run a new hose or hook into the old hose where you can get to it under the aft cabin.
   Just another option

How does it leak outside the LP locker if it's properly overboard drained?  
Who runs their blower for 3 mins before starting a diesel?  
If LP was leaking continually (say a bad solenoid and a leaking hose to the range hose) would the blower be running at all times while at the slip, on a hook, while sleeping, etc.?  
Run the blower at all times while making coffee, cooking, etc.?

Another thought

KK

[Noah]

Kind of a belt and suspenders approach perhaps?  I also have a Fireboy gas/fume detector.

[Stu Jackson]

And assure there's a spark-proof motor.

[Ken Juul]

IIRC the blower motor is held in place by screws that are visible above the cockpit seat just forward of the engine control panel.  Perhaps, unscrew, bring entire unit out, fix wires and reinstall.

[Ron Hill]

Eisen : With a walk thru transom, I'll guess that the only way you'll ever get at that blower motor wire is to remove the engine instrument panel and go fishing for it!

[Eisensail]

Just wanted to add the final solution for fixing this problem.... First, my boat is a MK1.5 (full walk through transom) which is why it may or may not be different than other boats out there.  To get access to the blower motor, and the short 2" wire I needed to re-attach to, there is a panel on the aft side of the port lazarette which comes out with 3 screws that run along the bottom edge of the panel.  It is a bit of a chore to get the panel out because the diesel filling tube goes through it, but with enough wiggling it will move.  The blower is actually mounted on the backside of this panel, so once it's pulled out about a foot you can reach where the wire goes into the motor housing.  I was able to crimp a new wire and now it's fixed!

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

I'm glad you were able to figure it out. It's always a great feeling when you work through a new project and are able to complete it successfully.



Mike

[rmbrown]

I'm doing mine now.  Best access, in my opinion, is through the bulkhead that covers the aft water tank with the tank removed.  You might be able to get at it without pulling the tank, but I'm 240 and 6'4".

[sailaway]

I have a 1986 they didn't have blowers in them from the factory. Still doesn't have one it's a diesel. Charlie

[rmbrown]

My primary reason for putting it back is so that I can run the blower to keep the engine compartment cooler.  My hope is that, by keeping the alternator cooler, I can minimize my engine run time (charging time) on the hook.

[Eisensail]

 My reason for running the blower is to reduce the diesel smell in the aft berth after motor for long periods of time.  I am not concern about flammable fumes like I once was when I owed a boat with an atomic4.

[rmbrown]

Eisensail... that's my bride's reason. :)

We sleep in the v-berth for the ventilation, though, and I've learned to love the faint smell of diesel, but hey... everybody wins!