T&T: Federal Law re Using Blower Before Starting Engine

[Robert Deering]

On 6/30/09 3:26 PM, "John Buckwalter" <steam at usa2net.net> wrote:


> I don't know about your boat but my turbochargers suck more air that my
> engine room blowers provide.  In fact it is important for proper
> operation to have enough combustion air.  You better think twice about
> making the engine room more negative.

I wouldn't be too worried about starving your turbos.  Remember, the purpose
of the blowers is to evacuate potentially explosive gasses before starting.
At starting speeds your turbo is hardly functioning.  And if your engine is
being starved of air at startup RPM's, you'll have far bigger problems at
cruising RPMs.

If it's still a concern, shut off the blowers once you've started.  Their
intended purpose is now complete.  You didn't blow up.

But I'd still like to see a reference to the actual federal regulation
requiring diesel engine boats to operate the blowers.  Is there a Coast
Guard reg out there demanding it?  Or is that only for commercial passenger
vessels?

Bob Deering
Juneau, Alaska