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Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy
That's actually not true with regards to bilge blowers, you just need to search specifically for continuous duty blowers, not intermittent. Here's an example that I found in about 5 seconds: https://www.hodgesmarine.com/Jabsco-4-Flexmount-Continuous-Duty-Blower-p/jab35770-0094.htm
As for sound, you just need to match the ducting and fan accordingly. Bigger ducting will cut down on the negative pressure but also make it quieter. You can also pick a lower speed fan to cut down on sound. Another option related to the above fan that is 24 VDC, if you run it at 12 VDC but keep the same current it should cut the RPM in approximately half. There are an abundance of options and they are designed for this exact application, I don't think you should rule it out.
If you want to go in a different direction, maybe a household bathroom exhaust fan would work? They are designed for continuous duty and would be quiet. I would just be concerned about how they would hold up on a boat, and you have to have AC power available. |
I'll look into the bilge blowers further. If I can get a bilge blower to work I think that is the path of least resistance. My concern is not the sound of the air movement but the actual motor sound which in my experience are very noisy. I would also be concerned about the amount of power they use. Again, if we lose power when I am not around to turn the fan off I would be concerned that the fan would quickly drain the batteries leaving the boat vulnerable. I am not opposed to a bathroom exhaust fan, computer fan, etc. again if I can make a clean install, low power and quiet. If I need to replace a fan every few years no big deal. Still far cheaper and less work than repairing rot damage that could easily run in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Greglepore- I am OK with 110. My main concern with 110 would be cost to operate. If efficient it would be fine.
There are a lot of ways I can create air movement in the bilge. Again I am looking for a more or less permanent install that is essentially hidden in the bilge, is quiet, with a low operating cost.