Air Conditioner

[gnott]

I have a new 35 CB and will likely have many questions needing help..she is kept on a lift, and of cours every time it is lifted, the water from the A/C drains, and it does not prime when in the water..is there any solution barring taking the hoses off and bleeding to get it primed...somebody suggested to turn on the genny when under way, and the water would be forced thru the system...have not tried that yet.....Gary

[Pitou]

I haven't yet found any way, but to bleed the pump when an air lock occurs. The genny seawater intake and the AC seawater intake are completely seperate closed systems and the only thing the genny can do is provide power to the AC Power side to run the air conditioning unit to hopefully prime the pump. I find this to work 50-50 at best. Enjoy that new Command Bridge !!

[SpaceCoaster]

I installed a marine AC unit in my 28TE a couple years ago and also keep our boat on a lift. To resolve this problem the manufacturer of the AC system also sells a "T" valve that I installed inline on the seawater intake hose. I can't say for sure, but I believe it is installed between the seacock and the pump. If not, then just after the pump.

The pump and T-valve are both in the engine room and under the waterline. So, when I drop the boat back in the water, and if I want to run the AC unit, I simply prime the pump by opening the T valve. The water enters the pump and drains out in the bilge. I then put the valve in its normal position so the T-valve then permits water to flow along the path of the hose (to the AC unit) once I start the system.

I don't know if this makes sense how I've explained it. If not, let me know and I'll get out to the boat and take a picture.

[Veebyes2]

The AC intake should have a seacock . Turn it off before lifting the boat. Remember to open it after lowering. Don't know if the location is changed, but my 96 32 the seacock is down deep in the keel.

[Pitou]

Gary ..... It looks like you got some good responses. They've helped me too.

The "T" valve after the pump sounds like a great idea to make the bleed easier.

I'm in the water and sometimes when I don't close the AC seacock when not running the AC system and run the boat ..... air lock! I, as well, thank you for the suggestions gents.

[gnott]

some very good input there, for which I thank you....won't get a chance to try for a while, but when I do will report back.....thanx again, Gary

[gnott]

After much diddling and head scratching, I have a tentative conclusion....closing the sea cock is not an alternative....only a fiend could have located it in such a hard to reach (actually next to impossible to reach) spot....the T valve is a good choice...it beats undoing the "out" hose of the pump each time....but what does seem to work, is to losen the strainer top until it overflows with water, and the pump can prime itself....thanks, all....Gary