Engine Room Blower Breaker Tripping

[Sadey]

The 24V breaker at the distribution panel keeps tripping for my starboard engine room blower motor. Did the logical thing and replace the blower. Still trips the breaker. Opened up the service panel and there are two leads on each blower breaker. One leads goes to the flybridge control (I’m assuming) which is a single switch for both blowers on and off with separate indicator lights. The other lead (again I’m assuming) goes to the pilot house control switch. At the helm in the pilot house there are two separate lighted switches for Port and starboard blowers. I disconnected each lead at the service panel then reconnected one at a time trying to isolate the switches and possible short. Even with one lead connected at a time the breaker still trips. I also tried swapping Port and starboard blower motor breaker connection to see if it could be the breaker that is bad. The short follows the leads not the breaker. So it would appear that there is a short somewhere between the flybridge, pilot house, service or somewhere in the bowels of the bilge. Any suggestions short of the miserable job of running all new leads?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I’d start with a jumper on one circuit to at least find the bad side.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I'd run a jumper lead to the new fan to make sure it runs and you didn't install a defective unit. Also unhook the fan and energize the circuit to see if the breaker still trips.

 

[SEVEN]

I'd run a jumper lead to the new fan to make sure it runs and you didn't install a defective unit. Also unhook the fan and energize the circuit to see if the breaker still trips.

You are so correct Sky. I had to install 2 blowers before I got one that wasn’t defective.

 

[Sadey]

I did try each individual lead and the breaker trips on each lead. One thing I forgot to mention was the breaker doesn’t trip right away. It takes about a minute or two.

 

[SEVEN]

The breaker could be weak. Try replacing it and then retest. God luck.

 

[Sadey]

I tried to switch wires so the port was on the starboard breaker and visa versa. The short didn’t follow. The breaker didn’t trip until I switched back to the original wiring configuration. Besides the cost to replace a working blower it’s frustrating because the breaker doesn’t trip right away which seems to indicate a bad blower.

 

[oscarvan]

Unless I'm missing something if "the short didn't follow" it's the breaker no?

And delayed tripping does NOT indicate a bad blower in my book, it indicates a bad breaker....... Takes it for a little then heats up an pop goes the weazel.

 

[Sadey]

I know that wasn't clear. When I connected the port blower wires to the starboard blower breaker (offending breaker) the starboard breaker does not trip.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Bad blower motor. Its drawing to many amps once it runs and heats up.

 

[doc g]

the fact that it takes a few minutes indicates a bad blower motor as Sky said , it heats up starts to over draw amps and blows the breaker, almost every one I have replaced did the exact same thing Those motors are junk except for the ones on the continuous duty models. They don't even have bearings , just junk bushings.......Pat

 

[Sadey]

Fell down a different rabbit hole today...Anybody that wants a HRO water maker that’s hasn’t run in years, it’s free for the taking if you can pick it up in Stuart. No pump just the machine itself.
tomorrow I will swap blower motors to see if it is in-fact the new blower that is bad. Hope that’s it. Thank you for the help!

 

[Briankinley2004]

Do you have the model no or picture of the water maker?

 

[SEVEN]

Just thinking about this and it hasn’t been asked. What volt blower did you buy? Mine are 32 volt, not sure of your model Hatteras but thought I’d mention it just in case someone sold you a 12 volt blower.

 

[Sadey]

I’ll get pictures and model number later this am. On the blower, it’s a 24volt Jabsco for my 24v system. I ordered the same model that was installed in both rooms. That’s why this site is so helpful, all bases seem to get covered.

 

[SEVEN]

Dave, if the blower is correct it has to be the breaker. Looking forward to hearing the outcome.

 

[Freeebird]

I’m a bit surprised that nobody suggested swapping breakers. Seems I got questioned for having done that many years ago on here, so maybe that’s why.

 

[SEVEN]

I’m a bit surprised that nobody suggested swapping breakers. Seems I got questioned for having done that many years ago on here, so maybe that’s why.

He had switched the wires to the breakers and didn’t get it to trip. (7th post). But you are correct that would have confirmed if the breaker was weak.

 

[Avenger]

Doesn't anybody on this forum own a multi-meter? Harbor Freight used to give them away.

 

[rsmith]

Doesn't anybody on this forum own a multi-meter? Harbor Freight used to give them away.

MikeP did an in-depth analysis of multimeters here a few years ago. Finally admitted the HF was as accurate as his Fluke.