caoimhin
Full Member
Posts: 26
Country: Ireland
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Post by caoimhin on Jun 18, 2011 19:45:22 GMT
The cooling fan in the engine compartment is on all the time. Is this normal or should it be cutting in or out.
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Post by rhb on Jun 18, 2011 22:36:58 GMT
The fan on our 42I stays on all the time as does the fan on a friends 30I. The noise can be a bit distressing at times. So far I haven't been able to find out why it is set up the way it is from the factory. I am not aware of any other diesel powered sailboats that have a fan that runs 100% of the time.
I've experimented with the use of a small thermostat to activate the fan but so far I haven't found a good location (one that reliably cycles it on and off) for the thermostat and I'm not happy with this solution yet. At the moment I have reverted to running the fan all the time but in the future I may install a simple toggle switch to turn it off and on. Before I do so I intend to determine exactly why it's there. I want to make sure with 100% certainty that it isn't required for safety.
I have a suspicion that the fan is there because of some obscure CE regulation rather than an engineering necessity but I can't prove it. In my opinion the fan isn't there due to a need for more air in the compartment or to control excessive compartment temperature - but that's just my opinion, not backed up by any evidence. Our boat lives in a place where it almost never gets really hot - it may be different for a tropical locale.
The fan that Jeanneau uses is very noisy, perhaps there are quieter fans that could be obtained.
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Post by Don Reaves on Jun 19, 2011 12:31:11 GMT
The fan on my SO35 is on a thermostat. When I go day sailing, it often never comes on until I'm back at the dock, cooling down the engine. Seems like a waste.
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Post by blackcaiman on Jun 19, 2011 16:09:23 GMT
Very new to all this, I have not noticed a fan running in the engine compartment, but if it was running, I don't know if I would have been able to hear it over the air-con, which is running all the time. I will check this weekend. Really interesting figuring all this out. We are learning something new each weekend.
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caoimhin
Full Member
Posts: 26
Country: Ireland
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Post by caoimhin on Jun 19, 2011 22:17:53 GMT
Many thanks for your replies. I will contact the Jeanneau agent in Dublin to morrow and get his opinion.I am considering putting some insulation benind the fan to lower the noise which is very loud in the aft cabin.
Juniper ll
Howth,
Co Dublin
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Post by mkremedy on Jun 21, 2011 3:52:35 GMT
caoimhin,
I am under the impression that this is a new code, that the boat manufacturer has to comply with. Engine on, Fan on. My 2007 36i fan works the same way.
Happy Sailing
MKREMEDY
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Post by rockstar on Jun 21, 2011 8:16:25 GMT
Hi Juniper,
Rockstar a Jenneau 42i has the fan running once the engine is on. I found the engine insulation very poor and replaced all of it. This made a big difference to both engine and fan noise. I am in Howth at the moment if you would like me to take a look at your boat email me or you can get my number in the club. Francis.
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Post by rhb on Jun 21, 2011 12:26:46 GMT
Francis;
How difficult was the replacement of the engine bay insulation? I've thought about doing this to our boat but so far it looks to me like a monstrous job to get off the existing and form / fit / cut the new.
What did you use for the new insulation?
Roy
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caoimhin
Full Member
Posts: 26
Country: Ireland
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Post by caoimhin on Jun 21, 2011 20:56:10 GMT
Many thanks. I will replace the insulation,I will also double the insulation behind the fan as it vibrates into the cabin.
Francis I will gve you a call in Howth. Thanks for all the replies
Caoimhin.
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Post by rockstar on Jun 22, 2011 11:46:11 GMT
Hi Roy, Not as big a job as you might think, a bit difficult to get the old insulation off from the side of the engine bay, it didnt take us a day to remove all of it. We replaced it with Halyard Noise Insulation Materials, 45mm Self adhesive material, we used five sheets for the job a bit expensive but worth it, have a look at Halyards web site. www.Halyard.eu.com Francis. |
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Post by MartyB on Jun 22, 2011 14:04:24 GMT
I replaced the insulation on my boat too, altho not a 36i, and reduced the cockpit noise level tremendously. I used a 1"/2.5cm foam I got a west marine. it is not cheap! a 3'x5' sheet was $130us. I did not get to the side panels, as I do not have the room, along with having to remove a bunch of misc engine items, like fuel filter, the battery isolator to name two things. I did the top, cak and front panels at home, an hour or two to measure and cut, another half to an hour to put the foam on, take back to the boat, for me, 10 min away and install! Really simple to do, and I would recommend it for ANY ONE with noise from an engine, be it the fan in this case, or just that one has a 25 yr old boat like I do!
The two side panels would probably take 4'ish hours, more due to the having to remove items, tight quarters etc. I'll probably get some of the 1/2" foam available, as that will fit, an would have better noise reuction than what is there! not as good as the 1", but better none the less.
Marty
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Post by shiook on Jun 22, 2011 19:36:12 GMT
My dealer told me it was so the Yanmar has enough combustion air due to the nearly air-tight motor enclosure. I pick up the boat this weekend so don't know if mine only runs when the yanmar does - but would think that the case if the dealer is correct. If it is needed due to temperature, I agree that it should have a thermostat. Will report back Monday
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Post by blackcaiman on Jul 4, 2011 22:01:47 GMT
We sailed/motored from Hilton Head, SC to Savannah, GA and back this weekend. The fan was only on when the engine was on. Please note... always remember to latch the stairs back when done.  |
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Post by mkremedy on Jul 7, 2011 3:26:04 GMT
Just a side note. We were sailing our 36i Performance this past weekend in 15 knots of apparent wind. The knot meter read a high of 9.3 knots.
Happy Sailing
mkremedy
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Post by shiook on Jul 11, 2011 13:15:16 GMT
My 2010 36i does have the fan run all the time the motor is running. I confirmed with my mechanic that the fan supplies combustion makeup air for the motor.
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Post by tedp on Jul 13, 2011 8:33:40 GMT
My 2010 36i does have the fan run all the time the motor is running. I confirmed with my mechanic that the fan supplies combustion makeup air for the motor. This is funny - as far as I know in my SO32 the engine gets its air through a large diameter duct from the transom. The suction through the intake filter sets up enough draught so it won't starve. Is the arrangement in the 36i so much different it needs a fan? |
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Post by electricmonk on Jul 13, 2011 22:59:35 GMT
I am not aware of any other diesel powered sailboats that have a fan that runs 100% of the time. I've experimented with the use of a small thermostat to activate the fan but so far I haven't found a good location (one that reliably cycles it on and off) for the thermostat and I'm not happy with this solution yet. At the moment I have reverted to running the fan all the time but in the future I may install a simple toggle switch to turn it off and on. Before I do so I intend to determine exactly why it's there. I want to make sure with 100% certainty that it isn't required for safety. I have a suspicion that the fan is there because of some obscure CE regulation rather than an engineering necessity but I can't prove it. In my opinion the fan isn't there due to a need for more air in the compartment or to control excessive compartment temperature - but that's just my opinion, not backed up by any evidence. Our boat lives in a place where it almost never gets really hot - it may be different for a tropical locale. quote] The fan is there for engineering necessity (see Yanmar instalation instructions or have a look here: www.yanmarhelp.com/i_vent.htm), it provides the engine with cool combustion air and ventilates the engine space. Its not directly a safety issue but the engine is not capable of digesting enough air to be able to run efficently without one (the engine compartment would get too hot). It is usual to fit a thermostat to control the fan and this is normaly sited inside the air hose that is attached to the fan (which should be arranged to extract air), my last two jeanneaus both had them, a small disk of metal about 3/4" in dia with blue wire suspended in the pipe. A toggle switch could be used but you would have to guess at the engine compartment temperature. An advantage would be that you could run the fan for a few minutes after the engine had been switched off thus extracting any fumes and smells. |
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Post by no3l on Jul 21, 2011 23:04:49 GMT
Hi, I am currently cruising on the south and east coasts of Ireland and the engine fan has failed. As usual the wind is on the nose and we are motoring/motor sailing. I have been monitoring the engine and haven't noticed any deterioration in performance.
FYI the fan assembly is a "Rule 240 12v in-line blower"
Regards
No3l
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Post by bill42i on Aug 20, 2011 10:16:35 GMT
I took delivery of a new 42i and was surprised to find that the fan was always on. I tried very hard, to get a suitable switch but no one seems to list one and all the automotive versions require the sensor to be in the water jacket. Eventually I managed to obtain the Jeanneau version fitted to my previous 37.
I cruise in the Med. and the ambient is high but, the switch has dramatically reduced the time the engine fan runs and the corresponding noise levels. I also fitted a switched, permanent live feed so that I can continue to run the fan when the engine is off. This vents. the engine compartment and helps to reduce heat soak into the aft cabin. (This is a real problem in +40c) Obviously this draws power from the battery and is only practical with shore support.
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Post by Peter123 on Sept 9, 2011 15:17:41 GMT
My fan runs all the time ... well, it did till it broke after 2 years and I've had to replace it ... the key thing is that since the fan sucks air out of the engine compartment it can't be there to supply air to the engine. When it broke down, the cabin smelt of ... well .. engine smells (hot rubber and oil etc) so I think it is there simply to extract smelly air from the engine compartment and to keep the saloon smelling nice.
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Post by gre2 on Sept 12, 2011 15:33:54 GMT
We have a 2001 SO 37 and the fan only comes on when the temperature reaches a certain level. There is a thermostat placed at the opening to the duct in the engine compartment with an inline Jabsco fan. But this summer the fan hasn't come on and the thermostat seems okay so still problem solving. Aint it fun.
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Post by gjwilliams on Sept 14, 2011 22:15:23 GMT
I too noticed the fan on our SO36. I undid it - 2 screws - and fitted a couple of s/s saddles. I then cable tied the fan to the saddles hence insulating the fan from the engine box. Its fixed the problem for me. Cheers John.
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Post by electricmonk on Oct 16, 2011 14:06:10 GMT
My fan runs all the time ... well, it did till it broke after 2 years and I've had to replace it ... the key thing is that since the fan sucks air out of the engine compartment it can't be there to supply air to the engine. When it broke down, the cabin smelt of ... well .. engine smells (hot rubber and oil etc) so I think it is there simply to extract smelly air from the engine compartment and to keep the saloon smelling nice. Well Peter look at it this way, for every bit of air the fan removes from the boat, new fresh air has to come in to replace it. The only sure way of making sure fresh air gets to the engine is to remove air from the engine compartment and ensure there is an airway big enough to supply air to engine compartment. So you have two big pipes, one with a fan and one without. If you blow air into the engine compartment smells will find there way around the boat, the arrangement you have is the best for you and the engine. |
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