Exhaust Fan???????

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

I'm seeing you guys talking about exhaust fans and my '89 doesn't have one. Are they optional or did the PO possibly remove it. I actually thought they were only necessary if you had a gasoline engine. Should I ask Santa for one?

Mike

[Ron Hill]

Mike : When your 1989 left the factory, it had a 4" solar powered EXHAUST fan installed in the entry way (overhead) to the aft cabin.

Also on you engine instrument panel Catalina installed a switch and a BLOWER fan that takes air/fumes from just aft of the engine and exhausts then thru a vent near the port side stern pulpit.   The blower fan is only required by law if you have a gasoline engine.   

[Stu Jackson]

Mike

We've never used our Blower fan.  No need, since once we open up the boat to get going, it's all aired out.  Ron's right about the gasoline engine part -- the blower fan is almost a holdover to the old days.  Has been discussion about using it to cool the engine compartment, a useful trick or necessity it seems by some.

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Thanks Guys,
I do have the solor fan but no evidence of a blower. Seems that the PO made modifications because I also don't have a fuel guage but i think I have something else in place of the fuel guage. I have a voltmeter, temp and oil pressure on the instrument panel and also an amp meter mounted just above the engine access panel in the aft cabin.

Mike

[Ron Hill]

Mike : The PO must have done away with the blower.  It should have been mounted just under the engine instrument panel with 3 inch white plastic hoses that are visible under the aft berth.

You bring up an interesting instrument - amp meter in the aft cabin.  You might want to check and see if that ammeter is run off of an external shunt.  The reason that I say that is because if it isn't run off of an external shunt then the shunt is internal and ALL of your power is being run thru that instrument before it goes anywhere else.  The external shunt wire should be small either #16 or 18 will suffice.  However, if the shunt is internal then the wire should be SIZABLE  #4 or you could risk overheating and a fire!! 
Usually a 50 amp meter is internal while the larger meters are externally shunted.   You may want to check !!     

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Ron, Thanls for the info. I'll check it the next time I go to the boat.

Mike