bilge blowers

[sunquest]

I have the usual blowers in the engine bay but forward of the bulkhead to the bow there are none. Since this is virtually a sealed compartment and therefore little airflow, should there be a blower somewhere there. the problem is the area smells stale if that sounds a reasonable description. Thanks.

 

[Barry Jones]

Presumably, its not a watertight area ?? just access hatches not opened much and therefore stale air ??

Sometimes its enough to put a couple of PC fans in, just to keep the air circulating and they are quite silent and economic on battery power.

 

[sunquest]

Presumably, its not a watertight area ?? just access hatches not opened much and therefore stale air ??.

Thats correct Barry. I was thinking of installing an inline blower and trunking it out. I would still like to know if it is normal to have a bilge blower installed.

 

[Barry Jones]

Bilge blowers are normally used to stop the build up of fumes, gas etc in the bilges. If this compartment on your compartment isn't susceptible to dangerous gases then I wouldn't say a blower is necessary.

You need to use a spark-proof blower in spaces with such fumes. I would only use a PC fan to stop staleness and mildew, etc in safe areas.