[BigLew]

This is possibly a minor point, but I learned (and it makes sense if you think about it) that the blower should be mounted so that it sucks fresh air in and delivers it to the bilge/below deck areas where it will be forced out the remaining vents, along with the air in the bilge go any accumulated fumes from fuel, etc.

If you mount the blower so that it picks up the bilge air and pushes through the blower and then out through the vent, you run the risk of drawing up fume laden air in the bilge and forcing it past an electric motor that more than likely is creating sparks at the armature portion to the electric motor; a potential disaster!

Because of this, it is recommended that the blower be run for 5 minutes prior to engaging the starter or even turning on the ignition. In our boats this should provide time for about a three to five fold exchange of outside air through the bilge.

Just my 2 cents.