Cleaning and Care

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS and WARRANTY INFORMATION
Read and follow all safety instructions
Thank you for your recent BilgeWizardTM purchase. We sincerely appreciate your business. At MWB
Consulting, we are committed to the enhancement of your boating experience and to extending boat life
through original, simple and effective boating accessories such as the BilgeWizardTM.
This product is designed and built to offer years of service when used and maintained according to the
instructions in this booklet. Please take a few moments to read and familiarize yourself with the contents of this
manual. Also, please be sure to register your purchase with us for our records and your protection.
IMPORTANT: The BilgeWizard™ is intended for use ONLY when the boat’s fuel system is in good
working order. Under no circumstances should the unit be used on a boat with a leaking or damaged fuel
system.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
This product is not a substitute for periodic inspections during long periods of storage; nor is it a
substitute for any boat repairs such as fuel system leaks or bilge fan failure. The BilgeWizard™
should never be installed on boats with a leaking fuel system. Boats should be checked at least once a
month for fuel system leaks regardless of BilgeWizard™ installation. The BilgeWizard™ is not a
substitute for Coast Guard ventilation standards which require running the boat’s bilge fan for a
minimum of four minutes prior to starting the engine. In addition this product is not intended to
circumvent or bypass any Coast Guard regulations pertaining to bilge ventilation. DUE TO THE
POTENTIAL IMMEDIATE VENTILATION OF EXPLOSIVE GASSES, NEVER INSTALL THIS
PRODUCT WHILE SMOKING. DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THIS PRODUCT WITHIN 100
FEET OF FIRE, PILOTED IGNITION SOURCES, OR ANY SPARKING DEVICE. Use of power
sources or wiring not provided with this product may damage the unit, and will void the warranty.
Owners of boats with aluminum fuel tanks should pay particular attention for fuel system leaks since
these tanks have been known to corrode causing leaks in as little as five years from date of
installation. It is advised that all boat owners have the fuel systems professionally inspected on their
boat at least once a year. Inspections should be made according to your boat’s owners manual. If a
fuel leak on the boat you wish to use your BilgeWizard™ is present, stop the use of this product
immediately regardless of the leaks size. It is recommended to use the BilgeWizard in well ventilated
areas only.
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Do not use the BilgeWizard™ on boats with leaking fuel systems.
Do not use in enclosed structures with poor ventilation or a piloted ignition source.
Do not tow boats with dangling power cords.
Do not tow with improperly installed components.
Use only brass pipe extensions shorter then 2 inches in specified situations.
Do not bypass safety equipment like fan shields for any reason.
Ensure fan blades are free of obstructions before using.
Do not insert fingers into fan blades.
Do not handle the fan unit unless all power sources are detached.
Use only BilgeWizard™ approved wiring, replacement fans and power sources.
Do not attempt to modify solar panel.
Insure water flow from the bilge has slowed to a drip prior to installation.
Do not pull on cords. When installing and removing be sure to grasp wiring by the connecters.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE
UNIT, YOUR TRAILER, YOUR BOAT, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The BilgeWizard™ is designed and built to provide worry free shore use auxiliary bilge ventilation for your
boat, provided you adhere to the safety instructions in this brochure. This product is designed to ventilate the
bilge while your boat is not in use. The following lists the individual parts of your BilgeWizard™.
INSTALLATION
The BilgeWizard™ is installed in three simple steps: (1) installing the fan unit, (2) installing the power source
and (3) connecting the power source to the fan housing.
(1) Installing the Fan Unit
IMPORTANT: Prior to installation of the BilgeWizardTM fan unit, make sure the boat’s bilge is clear of
objects that can be drawn into and obstruct the fan unit during operation, such as seaweed, fish scales,
looses pieces of carpet or sand, ETC.
The fan unit is installed by removing the drain plug at the base of the boat (see Figure 2) and screwing in the fan
slowly and gently unit to the drain (garboard) plug hole. The fan unit has a leader edge prior to the threads to
reduce the likelihood of cross threading the unit. Care should be taken when installing the fan unit to further
avoid the possibility of cross threading. Turn the fan unit until snug. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN OR USE ANY
TOOLS TO INSTALL THE UNIT. DO NOT USE TEFLON TAPE OR ANY KIND OF CHEMICALS ON
THE THREADS. Once the unit is snug, the power source may be safely attached to the unit (step 2).
Drain Plug Hole
Certain boat models may not allow for the fan unit to be installed in a conventional manner. For instance, the
outdrive unit may interfere with installation. If this is the case, the use of a BRASS (1/2” NPT) 45 degree angle
adaptor may be used. These angle adaptors are available at most boating supply stores and are also called “street
elbows”. If this is the case the angle adaptor / elbow must be installed first and must be verified that it is snug
prior to the installation of the fan unit. Make sure the fan unit is not pointing in an upward position, as this may
allow water to enter the boat’s bilge. The angle adaptor must also be pointing starboard (drivers side) so in the
event of movement, the unit will tighten rather than loosen. Make sure that the fan unit does not go below the
lowest part on the trailer.. If your boat has a retaining cable holding the plug to the boat, this should be removed
or you may purchase the optional BRASS SPLIT ADAPTER to properly install the fan housing. This product is
intended for threaded drain plug holes. If your boat has a thread-less drain (expansion plug), use a short section
of 5/8” auto heater hose (approximately 6”) to accommodate installation of unit. NOTE: under this installation
situation, remove the BilgeWizard™ prior to trailering.
Approved 45 Degree Angle Adaptor
(Male 1/2” NPT to female 1/2” NPT)
Correct Angle Install
Incorrect Angle Install
(2) Installing the Power Source
The BilgeWizard™ fan unit is powered by the SOLAR PANEL (Flat 2 Connector) OR AC-DC ADAPTER
(“M” Style Barrel connector). PLEASE NOTE: BilgeWizard fan units have both connectors to
accommodate which power source you desire.
(3) Connecting the Power Cord to the Fan Housing
Once the fan unit and power source are properly secured, the power cord can be installed. Care should be taken
in this final step not to leave dangling cords that would not be safe for trailering or would cause a tripping
hazard which resulting in personal injury. There should be no tension on the power cord. If there is more than
10 inches of slack this can be easily remedied by wrapping the cord around the outdrive once before connecting
the power source to the fan unit. DO NOT WRAP EXCESS CORD AROUND THE TRAILER FRAME. This
could result in interference with wheels, suspension, lights and/or brakes.
CLEANING AND CARE
Solar panel: A thick coating of dust can reduce power output by 20%. The solar panel should be cleaned with a
damp cloth. Do not use detergents, solvents or abrasives of any kind for this will damage the protective coating.
When removing snow from the solar panel, do not use devices that could scratch the panel such as bristle
brushes or ice scrapers. When the solar panel is used in snow and ice conditions the solar panel should be set at
a 40 degree angle (facing south if possible) to reduce the accumulation of snow and ice. The solar panel can be
sprayed with water to clean. Dry with non abrasive cloth.
Fan unit: The fan unit should be wiped periodically with a damp cloth. Should the fan unit be left installed upon
launching, pull the boat out of the water, disconnect power cable and remove the fan housing. Check for and
remove debris carefully with tweezers or needle nose pliers. Verify that the fan operates freely by turning the
blades with a toothpick.
Cables: Cables should be wiped periodically with a damp cloth.
The fan will last longer using on covered boats.
When cleaning the fan unit, first DISCONNECT ALL POWER SOURCES. .NOTE: The fan will last longer
when used on covered boats.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If the bilge fan is working, you should hear the sound of the turning fan and feel air movement. The absence of
this could indicate a problem. If the fan does not appear to be working, check the following:
1. Check the fan housing for foreign materials that may be obstructing the fan blades. If such foreign
material exists, gently disconnect the power source, unscrew the fan housing from the boat, and use
a shop style vacuum from the back side. Many times material can be removed with tweezers. Do not
use compressed air for this could cause the fan blades to spin excessively causing fragmentation of
the blades and posing injury to the user.
2. Make sure there is enough light; the weather must be at least partly sunny and not in a shaded area in
order to generate enough power.
3. Check to see if the power cord is connected by pushing the connector ends together.
4. Check to make sure solar panels are not damaged. This can be done by either natural light or a
floodlight. Fluorescent light does not effectively power solar cells. Occasionally under lower light
conditions the fan blades will not rotate. Tapping on the fan housing should start the fan, but this is
not necessary. The fan will start upon more light.
If this does not solve your problem, please contact us at [email protected].
LIMITED W ARRANTY
BilgeWizardTM warrants only to the original retail purchaser and are not transferable. Solar Panels are
warranted per manufactures specifications.
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Warrant all parts to be free from factory defects in workmanship and materials. The warranty
covers the replacement of the defective part within the original warranty period.
Our company does not accept liability beyond the original purchase price.
The customer is required to send the defective item back at their own expense before a
replacement is sent.
Warranty excludes damage caused by misuse, abuse, other faulty parts or improper
installation
Any parts found defective within the warranty period will be replaced with proof of purchase. Our
obligation under this warranty is expressly limited to repair or replacement at our option of which parts
are defective. This warranty does not apply to damage cause by unreasonable use, improper
securing of product and failure to comply with instructions, nor does it apply to any transportation or
labor charges. MWB Consulting is not responsible for damage to product, boat or its surroundings
due to mechanical or natural causes. Causes such as improper securing of all or any components of
the BilgeWizard™, hail, wind, acts of God or any natural force and tampering. ALL IMPLIED
WARRANTIES ARE ALSO LIMITED TO ONE (1) YEAR. INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARE
EXCLUDED FROM THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.