Attwood Turbo 3000 In-Line Bilge Blower 12V White

The Attwood Turbo 3000 In-Line Blower (model 1733-4) is the water-resistant 12V in-line bilge blower in the 3-inch hose configuration with the white finish. 120 CFM of airflow at just 2.6 amps of current draw, vane axial-flow fan design that's based on aerospace ventilation engineering for maximum airflow per watt of power, in-line installation that fits standard 3-inch marine ventilation hose, mounting feet that allow vertical or horizontal install in confined spaces, and the water-resistant construction that handles the wet environment of a real engine compartment. The right blower for engine compartment ventilation, galley exhaust, bilge ventilation, and head ventilation on any boat that runs gasoline engines, propane appliances, or other equipment that needs forced-air ventilation for safety and comfort.

What a bilge blower actually does and why ABYC requires it on gasoline boats. Gasoline engines, propane appliances, and other fuel-burning equipment can leak fuel vapors into the boat's interior compartments. Gasoline vapor is heavier than air, so it pools at the bottom of the bilge in the area where the engine and fuel system live. In sufficient concentration with a spark, gasoline vapor explodes. ABYC requires forced-air ventilation on every gasoline-powered boat to evacuate any vapor that has accumulated before the engine starts. The standard procedure: run the bilge blower for several minutes before starting the engine, with the goal of cycling the entire engine compartment air several times to flush any vapor that might be present. Without a working bilge blower, boats with gasoline engines are at significant risk of fuel-vapor explosion when the engine cranks.

The Turbo 3000 vane axial-flow fan design is what separates this from older centrifugal bilge blowers. Older blowers use a centrifugal squirrel-cage fan design that's reliable but inefficient: significant air gets wasted in the rotating action and the fan housing has to be physically larger to deliver the same useful airflow. Vane axial-flow fans push air parallel to the fan axis (like a propeller) and are much more efficient at converting electrical input into useful airflow. The result for the Turbo 3000: 120 CFM of usable airflow at 2.6 amps of current draw, which is significantly better than the typical centrifugal bilge blower in the same physical size and power class.

120 CFM at 12V is the right airflow rating for typical recreational marine engine compartments. ABYC E-11 specifies the required CFM based on the volume of the compartment being ventilated and the desired air-change rate. For most recreational boats with engine compartments in the 50 to 200 cubic foot range, a single 120 CFM blower handles the air-change requirement comfortably. For larger compartments or for higher-air-change applications (heavy commercial use, multi-engine installs), step up to higher-CFM blowers or install multiple blowers.

2.6 amps current draw at 12V is low enough that you can run the blower for the full ABYC-recommended pre-start ventilation duration without significantly draining the boat's house battery. Standard practice is 4 minutes of blower run time before each engine start. at 2.6 amps for 4 minutes, that's a tiny battery draw that any healthy battery handles without notice. Compared to older bilge blowers drawing 5 to 8 amps, the Turbo 3000's lower draw means longer blower service life (less heat in the motor windings) and less battery drain.

In-line design is the install advantage of this blower. Older blowers used a side-discharge or top-discharge configuration that required specific orientation and dedicated mounting platforms. The Turbo 3000's in-line design (intake on one end, exhaust on the other) lets you install the blower in-line with the standard 3-inch ventilation hose: cut the hose where you want to put the blower, slip the blower body in line with hose clamps on each end, and you're done. No platform-mount required for typical installs (though mounting feet are included for installs that benefit from physical anchoring).

3-inch hose compatibility is the standard size for recreational marine ventilation. Tabs in the intake and exhaust ports hold the ventilation hose firmly with the supplied hose clamps. The hose connects on one end to the engine compartment intake (usually a hull-mount intake vent) and on the other end to the engine compartment or bilge area you're ventilating. Run the hose along the bulkhead or through the boat's existing wire chase to reach the install location.

Vertical or horizontal mounting flexibility means the blower fits installs that older blowers wouldn't. Built-in mounting feet on the blower body let you anchor the blower to a flat surface in either orientation. For tight engine compartment installs where space is limited, vertical mount works. For installs with more horizontal floor space, horizontal mount works. Use the included #10 fasteners through the mounting feet, plus the included tie straps for additional anchoring if needed.

Water-resistant construction handles the realistic exposure of the engine compartment environment. The motor cap seals the wires and motor against water intrusion from condensation, occasional splashing, and the general humidity of any engine compartment. The nickel-plated motor can resists corrosion that would attack a bare-steel motor case in a marine environment. Stiffening ribs in the housing reduce structural distortion that could compromise the seal over years of vibration. The result is a blower that survives the marine environment for the full 3-year warranty period and typically much longer.

The 5-blade fan maximizes airflow and efficiency. More blades than the typical 3 or 4-blade fan means more surface area pushing air, which translates into more CFM at the same RPM. The blade design is engineered for low noise: at typical operation, the Turbo 3000 is noticeably quieter than older bilge blowers, which matters for boats where the engine compartment is close to the cabin and blower noise can intrude on conversation.

Build details. 16-gauge tinned and caulked copper wire leads (16 inches in length) for marine corrosion resistance. Tinned wire is essential for marine durability. un-tinned copper corrodes within a year or two of marine exposure. Optional MP1 molded rubber connectors are available for owners who want quick-disconnect installs. CE certified for international compliance.

Installation. Cut the existing 3-inch ventilation hose where you want to install the blower (or run new hose from the engine compartment to the discharge location). Slip the blower body in-line between the two hose sections with hose clamps on each side. Anchor the blower to a flat surface with the supplied #10 fasteners through the mounting feet. Connect the wire leads to a 12V switched circuit at the helm (typically wired with the ignition so the blower runs whenever the key is on). Most installs take about an hour for someone with reasonable mechanical skill.

What this blower isn't. It is not a 4-inch hose blower (this is the 3-inch size. Attwood makes 4-inch variants for higher-CFM applications). It is not the centrifugal-fan style of older bilge blowers (the vane axial-flow design is the modern upgrade). It is not a high-CFM commercial blower for very large compartments (look at the Attwood high-CFM commercial line for those applications). For typical recreational marine engine, galley, bilge, and head ventilation in 12V applications with 3-inch hose, the Turbo 3000 is the right blower.

3-Year Attwood warranty. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.