OK, this would come under the category of minor problems, but.... The bilge blower on my boat howls like a deranged werewolf. Has since the boat was new. Under way, it's louder than the engine; docking or anchoring, it's really noticeable when it gets turned off. I'm sure my neighbors just love it.
Is this just a characteristic of bilge blowers, or is mine louder than those on other boats? I'd gladly replace the thing just to get rid of the racket. I probably made it more noticeable when I soundproofed the engine compartment.
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Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
I don't use mine often. It is pretty loud, but not unexpectedly so.
What would be some reasons why you would have it running while underway?
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
+1 for what Duane said. Can hardly hear ours running when the engine is idling, at any kind of revs it's virtually impossible to hear. Only way I can tell it is on is that the voltmeter will be a bit lower than with it off. I used to run it to keep engine room temps down but I've found it doesn't do much in that respect.
I guess I run it to try to keep fresh cool air moving through the engine space. While it won't have any effect on engine temps, it might help in keeping the alternator cool.?? Then again, maybe not. I figure it's not hurting anything, except for irritating me with it's noise. If Bud's is too quiet to hear, maybe mine has a problem. Something to look into, but not the highest on the priorities list.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
We had the same problem and it was a relatively simple fix - at least on the MKII. The blower is mounted in the left aft lazarette and it was louder than the engine at times.
My solution was to move it below decks to the open area under the aft berth - port side where the air intake and exhaust hoses are. Used some 3M 4200 to glue a wood block to the hull, remounted the blower using some rubber isolation feet I found on line. The thing was so quiet in the cockpit I had to install an LED light on the engine control panel to remind me that it was on. I've e been meaning to write this up and will get to it this winter.
We run ours whenever the engine is running and it keeps the aft cabin cooler.
Bruce
Southern Comfort #1881
Tall rig, Wing Keel
Chesapeake Bay
Gary,
Most marine engine room blowers are not designed for continuous operation, including the ones installed in the C36. They are designed to be run 5-10 minutes before starting a gas inboard. If you plan to run yours for hours at a time, you might want to get a new one designed for continuous operation.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Tom.....
I may be living on borrowed time. I've run the Catalina-installed unit for hours and it seems to run cool to the hand. Shurflo advertises the "Yellow tail" that is guaranteed for 3 years and has no specified limits on running time - it will be my likely replacement when this one goes - whenever that is.
Bruce
Southern Comfort #1881
Tall rig, Wing Keel
Chesapeake Bay
Tom is right on the blowers. Either on here or the old 36 forum there was a lengthy discussion on the blowers. If it is not continuous duty you run the risk of burning them out.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
I trust you have inspected the blower to make sure nothing is contacting the fan. The plastic duct has a wire reinforcement and if the wire comes loose and contacts the spinning fan it makes a he'll of a racket. Could be an easy and cheap fix. If nothing is contacting the fan it is likely the bearings are going in the motor, they can really scream.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas