Carbon Monoxide in cabin while running generator

[Midnightsun]

A bilge has open to air vents, nothing fancy, just basically a hole in the hull. They are normally designed to self evacuate air with no need for a mechanical blower while underway due to the direction the vent louvers are positioned. That being said, a blower in the bilge cannot just move air from the bilge out without drawing outside air in or at least I cannot see how this is possible, you simply need to replaced any evacuated air by the same amount of intake and this needs to come from outside.


My setup was done well by Carver as the vents are about 6' long on both sides. I kid you not, if the winds are strong there is a good strong draft in the bilge, sometimes it surprises me because it is actually windy in there.

[tbrookshire]

Thank you all for your feedback! Based on the comments, I will run the blowers whenever the generator is on and see if that solves the issue. I'll post an update when I've had a chance to see if that eliminates the problem. Thanks again for your valuable input!

[denpooch]

I have gotten into the habit of always running my blowers whenever I have either the genset or main engines running. As Viper suggested, it helps hold down some of the heat in the engine compartment and I figure the air exchange is a good thing. To Admiral Grew's point, air intake on the starboard, exhaust on the port. Genset exhaust shares the port side with exhaust fan.

[rjr]

I think I know the answer but want to make sure. Are there any CO issues with diesels?

[mjk1040]

CO is produced by all fossil fuels when burning.

[Midnightsun]

Diesels do also however only about .5% compared to about 11%.