Where's the Blower?

[dacarter]

I bought an '03 Larson Cabrio 274 earlier in the year that originally came from Seattle. Since it's from the NE, it has an optional heater that runs off the cooling water">engine cooling water from the closed cooling system. There's a speed control on the dash and vents inside and outside the cabin. When I turn it on, it does not blow and throws a breaker. Don't need the heater much here in Texas, but now that it's cools I'd like to get it working, but can't see how to get to the blower to repair. Any ideas? The ducts seem to disappear into the side of the boat near the driver's side dash, with little access.

[Comogene]

Start at the other end. There should be two hoses (5/8" or 3/4") from the circulating pump housing and/or intake manifold on the engine that supply heated coolant to the heater. Trace these to what should be a rectangular box. It should contain a simple form of radiator with a fan.

If the circuit breaker blows, the blower motor is probably frozen.

Gene

[dacarter]

Yes, there are two water lines to the heater, but they disappear between the gas tank and the floor of the boat as they run forward to the heater. There's really no way to follow them.

[Cheechako]

my hoses go under the tank also... but look for the little radiator where they go. The fan should be attached to that. Yours sounds like it may have ducting attached to the radiator... so may be buried somewhere.... look for where the ducts start... probably somewhere forward of the fuel tank the hoses go under. Maybe under a berth? follow hoses, follow ducts......

[dacarter]

I have already tried to follow water lines and ducts, but have been unsuccessful in finding the actual heater.

There may be trap door under the mattress of the aft berth. I'll check that out next.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, dacarter.

[Target9000]

Why not follow the electrical wires to the blower?

[dacarter]

Same situation. The wires, hoses and ducts all lead to inaccessible areas. I have taken the switch panel lose and can see the wires leading downward, but there's no access to the area they lead towards without removing the entire dash pod, which looks like a huge job.

[DeepFrz]

If you go to the Larsen Power Boats web site there is a button called "ask a tech". I bet they could tell you.

[Richard_W]

This is most likely after market install ... the heater could be installed anywhere there is a sufficient space. The best way is to follow the air hoses as they are much more limited in length and routing options (don't bend and kink as much, and have much larger diameter than wires and water hoses).

I bet the heater is within 6 feet from any and all air vents. You need to identify the proximity, and any space/void of 2x1x1 feet ... this is as much or as little the heater and connections take. It could be hidden under the helm/dash enclosure, or under the seat pedestal, or in some storage compartment ... look for spaces like these, and for a larger access hatch, like 8-12 inch round or square.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[GPSocal]

I have had four GlasPly boats built in the northwest, all equipped with heaters. My 21' and 24' had Red Dot brand heaters mounted on the stem and both of my 28's had the same heater mounted under the cabin access steps just forward of the engine bulkhead. These are like little radiators with engine coolant circulating through tubing in front of a small fan. There is no ducting with these units, the heated air just blows through a grill. They do get hot, so I imagine your heater unit is not entirely enclosed. If you try probing into the ducts with something flexible and dull (like a garden hose) so you don't cut into the ducts which are like dryer hose, you can probably locate the heater. It may be just ahead of the place the hoses disappear out of the engine compartment and enter the cabin area. You should be able to lift/remove the cabin sole as part of your search. If the fan motors is frozen, repair/replacement is pretty straightforward.

[Richard_W]

Originally Posted by GPSocal

... There is no ducting with these units, the heated air just blows through a grill. ... If you try probing into the ducts with something flexible and dull (like a garden hose) so you don't cut into the ducts which are like dryer hose, you can probably locate the heater. ...

Don't understand ... no ducting but there are ducts (air hoses)?

@dacarter
In any case, it would be helpful to know the brand of your install. There might be the brand name like "Heater Craft" or something else on the heater switches/controls.

[GPSocal]

My heater units are just rectangular metal boxes mounted in out of the way, but open areas. Engine hot water goes in one side and out the other and the fan blows the heat into the cabin. The are self contained - no ducts. The hulls with the stem mounted units had copper pipe laid in the bilge (and maybe in the fiberglass) from the engine forward to the heater. My current 28 just has rubber hot water hose from one engine through the bulkhead into the heater. The heaters are 'Red Dot' brand and use a two speed fan.

I was referring to the ducts you mentioned which carry the heated air from the heating unit into the cabin/cockpit area. I am thinking they would be smaller versions of home laundry dryer hose, flexible with a wire ring core. Snaking a garden hose or something similar into the ducts until it stops may help you find the heater.

[Richard_W]

Originally Posted by GPSocal

I was referring to the ducts you mentioned which carry the heated air from the heating unit into the cabin/cockpit area. I am thinking they would be smaller versions of home laundry dryer hose, flexible with a wire ring core. Snaking a garden hose or something similar into the ducts until it stops may help you find the heater.

I get it now ... yes, in my case the ducts are smaller diameter (3" I think) version of what engine room blower hoses are (4" just like laundry dryer hoses). The heater brand used on my boat is Heater Craft.

[GPSocal]

Google 'Heater craft' they are in Rathdrum, Idaho. If you ever find the heater you can get parts for it.