can smell gen set running in cabin

[carver 3396]

we have a 1984 carver 3396 with a onan 6.5 mcck when we run the gen set we can smell it in side the cabin. what might we do about this ? the gen sits out near the motors in the back of the boat we don't hear it much but we sure do smell her the smell is not gas by no means but here is what i was thinking of doing
put a 4'' bower inline with tubing ducked at the top of the gen set carb area maybe, and run it out the side of the boat vent anytime it was running does anyone think this is a good idea

 

[Grub54891]

Re: can smell gen set running in cabin

So you say you can smell it,but not gas.Probbally exhaust smell,not good.More venting may help but I"d look hard for an exhaust leak in the systym first.You should never run the genny or main when sleeping as the exhaust can migrate inside the boat and kill anyone onboard.There shold be a blower in the engine area already,they tend to blow air in to vent the area,some blow out also,seen em both ways.It could be sucking the genny exhaust back in depending on location of the vent in relation to the exhaust.I'd still look for exhaust leak though. Grub

 

[carver 3396]

Re: can smell gen set running in cabin

some great ideas to look at i will check the exhaust today for leaks i was needing to know if the cabin sould be sealed off from boat engine bilge ? "somewhat" i was thinking ad a bower near genset but something to think about is
if i pull a draw out inside my boat i can see my engine bilge area so was thinking ??old boat maybe i could seal those areas off?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: can smell gen set running in cabin

It should be sealed off because the HVAC return vent will draw bilge air into the boat when it's on. You should also run the blower anytime the generator is running. ALL bilge blower systems should evacuate the engine compartment. This means the blower should suck the air out of the bilge and blow it overboard out the vent.
I've run the generators on all my boats when we sleep so the A/C works, can't sleep without A/C here, but only under the following conditions;
Carbon monoxide detector installed and working
Smoke detector installed and working
Fuel fume detector installed and working
Blower system operating anytime generator in operating
Moored on a bow anchor so the boat can swing when the wind direction changes. This allows the exhaust from the blower system and the generator to be blown aft, away from the boat.
Never run a generator under conditions that the exhaust could be blown into the cockpit or cabin, e.g., a marina slip or mooring that requires the use of a bow and stern anchor.