Carbon Monoxide in cabin while running generator

[tbrookshire]

I have had some CO issues while operating the generator while on hook. I have inspected the exhaust hoses for the generator and they are good to go, but my Kidde digital CO detector still picks up moderately high levels in the engine room which eventually sets it off in the cabin. I did contact Kidde and they informed me that their detectors aren't rated for marine service and they can also detect hydrogen sulfide produced from the lead/acid batteries which can also trigger the alarm. So I have ordered a new Xintex CO detector as a replacement and I also plan to replace all 3 batteries with AGM type to eliminate the Hydrogen Sulfide potential.

I have also had several people say that they normally run their blowers while the generator is on, but that doesn't seem necessary to me if there is no exhaust leaks in the engine room. However, I'd like to get some feedback from anyone on here that has experience with this. Thanks in advance!

[RGrew176]

Some friends of mine have a 2000 Silverton 351 Sedan. Whenever they fire up their generator the blower comes on with the generator. Being that Silverton set it up that way one might come to the conclusion that it is a good idea to run the blower with the generator.

[mjk1040]

Carver recommends the same thing, blower on when ever running the genny. So we do as they suggest.

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum....It is good to have this discussion.
.......So consider this, any running engine consumes air from the engine compartment for combustion and exhausts it out the wet exhaust in most marine situations....this exhaust is loaded with many PPM of CO. Given the right wind direction then the gasses will be sucked back into the engine compartment thru the air intake vents for the blower system and so on.In fact Imo the blower could create that.

....but that said, you absolutely do need to run the blowers to clear any heavy gasoline fumes from the lower bilge area to be safe, especially before the engine is even started.

The hydrogen off gas from charging batteries is lighter than air and is an interference problem for electro chemical CO sensors.....there are some better ones, but in this case the alarms and numbers bring your attention to the problem and allow it to be monitored and corrected.

I believe CO to be a major problem with boats running gennys at anchor without having an awareness of wind/air movement, the genny exhaust location and their combined effects. A properly tuned genny will go a long way to help.

[Viper]

Welcome aboard.

Always run your blowers when you're operating the generator. It's a good safety practice and also helps remove heat from the compartment which can be a problem with some units.

[Midnightsun]

Just thinking out loud. A blower sucks air from the outside in and then blows it out. Why would you want to suck in exhaust fumes from the generator if the winds are favourable?

[mjk1040]

I've seen boats with multiple blowers moving air both ways on boats. Some supply outside fresh air and some exhaust bilge area air. One may want to see just which way ones blowers are operating? A replacement blower may have been put in at the wrong direction of flow!

[Viper]

If everything is working right, any air the blower draws in will be exhausted by the blower. Between that and the generator intake, they should be exhausting any of the generator exhaust that might be sucked into the engine bay under the right conditions.

[bud37]

In theory all that gets blown out of the engine compartment would be replaced by the air coming in thru the vents.....but here is where I see an issue, as the genny runs the compartment ambient air is getting more concentrated under certain conditions from outside.......now because these areas are not sealed well at all, hatches, access panels etc, all that has to happen is to create a negative pressure in the salon etc by running a vent fan.....CO is slightly lighter than air and will readily mix and there is a problem.

The Mariner was recalled for upgrades to the engine compartment sealing.

Now maybe not a ton , but low level exposure over time can result in health problems. It is very good to have these discussions, awareness is always a positive.

[RGrew176]

On my friends Silverton their generator exhaust is on the starboard side of the boat and the intake for the blower is on the port side of the boat. At least under ideal conditions they are on opposite sides of the boat. Less chance for the blower to draw in carbon monoxide.

Good discussion to have here.