Questions about installing A/C system

[McZube]

I read the install manual online for an A/C system I'm planning to install soon and I have a couple of questions:

1) The manufacturer is adamant that the condensate line not dump into the bilge. What difference does it make?

2) They recommend that the overboard outlet be located not too high above the water line to minimize the noise of the constant output of seawater. That makes sense but does it matter if that outlet port goes underwater under sail? The system won't be in use under way and won't be providing positive pressure. On the other hand, it's always full of sea water so it probably doesn't matter.

Thanks.

 

[kloudie1]

don't know why they'd not put the condensate into the bilge.. mine has been that way for 15 years.. If you don't want it there, you can use one of the eductors that goes in line with the seawater line to suck the condensate out with the discharge water. Like this.. there are a few different ones on the market. http://www.mmair.com/marine_division/accessories/mermaid_condensator
Ya want to make sure that the pump suction port is below waterline so that the pump can prime itself.Since the cooling water lines are mostly full and are a closed circuit , the port going under water during sailing makes no difference. The pump suctionline should be arranged so that there are no air traps .. it should be constantly rising from the thru-hull through the strainer, and into the suction port of the cooling pump.

 

[Pat]

Truthfully, our condensate line goes into a mermaid condensator that combines it with the
seawater line and sends it all overboard about 18 to 20 inches above the water line..It is totally quiet...you cannot hear the water running and from inside the boat you can't hear
the overboard water outside the boat. It's a simple solution. Good Luck

 

[Ken13559]

1. My aircon condensate goes to bilge.
2. I drill my hull about 18" above waterline as its easier than close to water. Splashing noise never an issue.

 

[onecoolair]

don't know why they'd not put the condensate into the bilge.. mine has been that way for 15 years.. If you don't want it there, you can use one of the eductors that goes in line with the seawater line to suck the condensate out with the discharge water. Like this.. there are a few different ones on the market. http://www.mmair.com/marine_division/accessories/mermaid_condensator
Ya want to make sure that the pump suction port is below waterline so that the pump can prime itself.Since the cooling water lines are mostly full and are a closed circuit , the port going under water during sailing makes no difference. The pump suctionline should be arranged so that there are no air traps .. it should be constantly rising from the thru-hull through the strainer, and into the suction port of the cooling pump.

So spend 200-250 buck for a venturi that plugs up and flies apart after barely a year....Unrepairable....Or 20-25 bucks for a venturi that's lasted five plus years never plugged up and as needed zero Maintenance.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Kent_Mar...in_Skimmers-Kent_Marine-KM2851-FIPSAC-vi.html

http://www.thatpetplace.com/turbo-v..._id=26445418&gclid=CPD3v4X-gbYCFQ6EnQodWy0Adw

The venturi screws right to the Groco or Perco seacock at the a/c discharge which is above the water line. I used an elbow fitting with seacock so hoses can lay along side hull.
All three of my a/c discharges and their associated seacocks are mounted in a protected location right next to a/c unit or very close. No one is going to be stepping on them!! The small suction tube loops up about another 12-16"s higher then seacock then drops down into drip pan and clipped in place or is attached to drip pan drain fitting outlet. One of the a/c units discharge is up at the bow and the other two are on the beam. Have never needed a check valve for suction tubes. Except for the occasional shower sump malfunction:cussing: bilge now stays dry. K.I.S.S.

p.s. Oh! Look that fancy concensator has plastic fittings!! From home depot

 

[RichH]

1) The manufacturer is adamant that the condensate line not dump into the bilge. What difference does it make?

Probably a liability reduction statement for those boat owners who always have the 'dehumidifer' function on when the boat is vacant; and, ... the bilge pump fails, the boat sinks, ..... and the AC manufacturer, their distributor, the installer plus his adult children and their grandparents, and ~24 other randomly selected potential deep-pocket sources are sued.

Also the condenser plates and condensate pan on an AC are a potential source points of 'really nasty' bacteria such as 'legionella' (legionella pneumophila) which can cause deadly Legionaires disease or Pontiac Fever.

 

[alexco38]

Since AC runs on shore power anyway, why not just put one of those condensate tank and pump for high efficency furnace to dump the condensate over board, e.g. into the sink.

 

[reworb]

I would be very careful about installing one of those condensators/venturi things, and the placement of the overboard discharge. The prior owner of my boat installed one of the venturis and connected it to the air conditioners seawater discharge line. The genius who installed the unit installed the seawater discharge just above the dry water line of the boat, obviously not knowing sail boats lean over every so often, consequently the discharge is below the healed water line and the venturi siphons back (if the thru hull on the discharge is not closed) and puts sea water in the condensate pan and rots out the coils on the unit. Make sure who ever makes the hole for the seawater discharge has seen a sailboat before and knows they heal. Or your air conditioner will need replacing even tho its only a few years old.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

McZub;

Over the years I installed many air conditioners onboard on smaller boats which was a speciality of mine from 33 feet and down as it more difficult due to less room. You asked about water going into the bilge from the condensation pan.

Many do not like that as the bilge pump will come on too besides the air unit itself too. However, I was the first to use what is called the Condensator by Mermaid which simply sucks the water from the condensation pan and throws it out overboard via the discharge from the air unit. This was particualy nice for the smaller boats with or without a true bilge area on the trailerables. THey work and it was a standard part on all units in every boat I sold with air.

As for the discharge, just make sure it is not too close to the water line or if heeled way far over, water can back up into the boat. Some will intall a vented loop or even a one way valve for water flow to help prevent; however, if either fails,then water wil not discharge overboard. If higher, the sound of the discharge did not really make a difference to the customers I dealt with.

crazy dave condon