Blower motor access

[Eisensail]

My blower motor has 2 crimp connectors on the wires that go from the cockpit panel blower switch to the blower motor. While working on my panel wiring project one of the wires to the blower pulled out of the crimp connector.  I can't reach it to re-crimp it through the opening for the panel.  I tried to acces the wires by removing the port panel in the aft berth, but no luck there.  Any suggestions?

[Stu Jackson]

Only place you haven't tried is the lazarette, right?    That's where I would have gone first.

[mregan]

The blower should be in the lazarette like Stu mentioned.  You may have to crawl in there to get at it.

[Eisensail]

I guess I have too much stuff in the lazarett since I looked there as well and didn't think it went thru. I guess it's time to clean out the PO's old dock line and broken broom handle collection

[Ralph Masters]

If you have not yet been in that aft lazzert, you are in for a fun filled afternoon.  I've been in ours 4 or 5 times, an "E" ticket ride for sure.

Ralph

[mregan]

It should on the wall separating the lazarette from the aft berth.  Right under the engine panel.  Once you are in and sitting down, it actually rather roomy.  Just getting in and out is a pickle.

[Noah]

Guess it depends on the boat. Mine has a screwed in plywood shelf all the way across; with propane box near midline bilge pump and its hoses taking up portside near midline and the blower bolted to the shelf on portside. a under the shelf on starbord side is another shelf with reefer compressor.  All in all no way to "dive in" my locker until propane box and then top shelf is removed. Not a quick operation. Unfortunately, while clean looking and solid, this limits my usable storage access... I may change the arrangement "some day"...

[Ron Hill]

Eisen : There is another option - to install a 6" Beckson port just under the engine instrument panel.

I did that so I could make a platform for my cockpit VHF to sit on(Mainsheet tech note article).  Then you can also get at that loose blower wire !!  

A thought

[Eisensail]

Wait, are you talking about the starboard lazarette or aft lazarette? I have an open transom model, so my aft ones are about 2' by 2'.  I am also 6'6" 

[Noah]

Aft. Mine is also a 1990 (hull 1014) with a "walk-over" transom, not walk through. The push pit (stern pulpit) is split with a gate, and opens for ladder to hinge down and climb down onto sugar scoop stern/step.

[KWKloeber]

the starboard lazarette or aft lazarette?

Mates!!!  If a boat has a lazarette, it's found in only ONE location on the vessel !  

Ken K

[Ken Juul]

On MK1.5s with the walk thru, we have 2 lazerettes, one on each side of the walk thru.  About a 2x2 opening under the fold up seat give you access.  One would have to be very small to get in and out.  At least on my boat which is ~100 newer than the one in question, the propane locker takes the port side which will block any access to the wires.  If you really can't reach it by removing the aft berth plywood walls, then maybe use a coat hanger to start fishing.  Maybe you will get lucky.  If not, removing the fuel tank to gain access may be your only choice.

[Craig Illman]

On my 1991, hull #1150, the blower was mounted on the aft side of the aft panel in the port lazarette. You needed to remove the panel with maybe four screws to access the blower, the rear side of the shore power outlet, and anything else back there, like the engine panel. Like Ken's boat, my rear port lazarette had the propane locker. I was able to get into the starboard side, spin and crawl under the step through and over to the port side, but never would be able to come close to the blower. I'm only 5'6" and 140#.

Craig

[Eisensail]

My boat is the same as Ken's with 2 lazarettes on each side of the walk through and a large lazarette under the port bench.  The blower motor is between the engine panel cutout and the port lazarette.  The problem is the wire that I need to crimp to is about 3" long hanging off the motor.  I can reach it with one arm stretched way down from the engine panel opening, but I can't cut off the old crimp connector and crimp a new with one hand. In addition when I put my arm down there I can't see what I am doing.

When I go this weekend I'll try to get access through the port lazarette like I think Stu suggested, but I think it's just a closed in box.  Removing the aft cabin wall may be my only access.

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Is it possible to just run a whole new wire from end to end or is the end point at the blower the problem.
My '89 didn't have a blower and I don't know if the P O removed it or it never had one.
I'm probably missing the point here somewhere but is it really necessary to have a blower on a diesel engine?

Mike