Salon exhaust fan?

[cmariner32]

Still going over and through my new-to-me 380 Santego. I discovered a blower in the under seat space in the salon where the main A/C unit is. It is connected to the side of the partion wall of the space and exhausts air to the engine room. There is a rubber-type flap on the engine room side of this wall. My only thought is that this is/was some kind of exhaust fan that would draw air thru the A/C return grill and push it thru the engine room-very similar to an attic fan in a house. Has anyone else come across this setup in their boat? This has always been a Florida boat to my knowledge (it's always hot or not hot) so I can't figure out the reasoning for the installation. Help?

 

[pdecat]

probably an attempt to cool the ER. It can take a long time to cool down after a run. I wish I had some sort of large air mover to exhaust the ER. The blowers dont do much but blowing air into the er is as likely to force hot air back into the salon through many leaks and force it out the engine vents.

 

[David M]

Agree with Bruce and add I would seal it.

I assume this is not actually the AC return grille, but an add on. The flap is not air tight. The ER is not air tight. I would be afraid of forcing CO back into the cabin.

 

[cmariner32]

Thanks for the feedback. Bruce, unless I'm misundestanding, the blowers would be sucking air out of the engine room drawing fresh air from the static air intakes to the engine room. I agree that the poorly sealing rubber flapper would allow CO to back into the salon. I think I will plan on removing the blower and sealing off this hole. Was really curious if this was an OEM thing or a PO addition.