Previous owner kept the AC through hull open all the time to keep it "primed". Sorry but I'm the type that closes every thru-hull on departure. Will I have trouble gettin the AC pump to prime back up after closing the thru-hull? If I do, is there a simple inexpensive fix?
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M
MKing
Shouldn't be a problem
Andy, I understand why people close thru-hulls. I do not think you will loose prime by closing your thru-hull at the dock. Underway can be a different story but much depends on its location to the water line and the location of the pump. I have seen the pick-up high enough on the hull that it can drain when the boat is heeled although that will not be the case with a factory or proper install. Mermaid has a kit available to address loss of prime problems. I don't usually have a prime problem on sailboats unless hauled, then I just unclamp the supply hose at the evap and and take a couple long pulls on the hose. Not as hard as it sounds, most strainers & pumps are located within 3'to 5' of the thru hull and you only have to get the water to the pump not the unit. Just don't board your hot boat and flip the breaker first with other things on your mind like many people do as your unit will fire right up,cool for a few minutes then everything will get real quiet and that will be because your seawater pump ran dry, your compressor head pressure went way up and the high pressure cut-out switch shut everything but the fan down. Easy enough to reset it you know where the manufacturer located the button. They are sometimes buried under the fan or coil out of sight. Hope this helps, just my 2 cents. Have a great day!
Andy, I understand why people close thru-hulls. I do not think you will loose prime by closing your thru-hull at the dock. Underway can be a different story but much depends on its location to the water line and the location of the pump. I have seen the pick-up high enough on the hull that it can drain when the boat is heeled although that will not be the case with a factory or proper install. Mermaid has a kit available to address loss of prime problems. I don't usually have a prime problem on sailboats unless hauled, then I just unclamp the supply hose at the evap and and take a couple long pulls on the hose. Not as hard as it sounds, most strainers & pumps are located within 3'to 5' of the thru hull and you only have to get the water to the pump not the unit. Just don't board your hot boat and flip the breaker first with other things on your mind like many people do as your unit will fire right up,cool for a few minutes then everything will get real quiet and that will be because your seawater pump ran dry, your compressor head pressure went way up and the high pressure cut-out switch shut everything but the fan down. Easy enough to reset it you know where the manufacturer located the button. They are sometimes buried under the fan or coil out of sight. Hope this helps, just my 2 cents. Have a great day!
In-line Filter
Andy, on my H34 I shut down all through hulls except the engine's. If I've been sailing, I need to prime the AC pump like you do. I have an in-line Jabsco filter ahead of the circulating pump. I open the thru-hull, put a sponge under the filter, and unscrew the bowl enough to get a water flow. Tighten the bowl and throw the switch. I had to replace the Lil Giant circulating pump last week (probably original) when it ate the impeller centering bearing. This could have been the result of previous run-drys. Intrepid H34 #113
Andy, on my H34 I shut down all through hulls except the engine's. If I've been sailing, I need to prime the AC pump like you do. I have an in-line Jabsco filter ahead of the circulating pump. I open the thru-hull, put a sponge under the filter, and unscrew the bowl enough to get a water flow. Tighten the bowl and throw the switch. I had to replace the Lil Giant circulating pump last week (probably original) when it ate the impeller centering bearing. This could have been the result of previous run-drys. Intrepid H34 #113
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Wayne Estabrooks
I use a bleeder valve
MKing has good advice and is right about possibly losing prime while heeling. I always close all of my seacocks including the engine seawater intake whenever I leave the boat. I installed a Tee at the output of my seawater pump with a PVC shutoff valve in the output of the tee. This stuff came with my Mermaid install kit. It is a simple matter to bleed the bump if I lose prime. My pump is located in the bilge and is below waterline. I put a plastic cup under the output or spigot of the valve and open it to let air out until water comes out. Only takes a couple of seconds.
MKing has good advice and is right about possibly losing prime while heeling. I always close all of my seacocks including the engine seawater intake whenever I leave the boat. I installed a Tee at the output of my seawater pump with a PVC shutoff valve in the output of the tee. This stuff came with my Mermaid install kit. It is a simple matter to bleed the bump if I lose prime. My pump is located in the bilge and is below waterline. I put a plastic cup under the output or spigot of the valve and open it to let air out until water comes out. Only takes a couple of seconds.
M
MKing
Nervous
You guys are just trying to make me nervous...My boat is docked 50 miles away with the AC running. I have an auxillary 1000GPH bilge pump on a separate circuit from the primary bilge pump with an alarm out in the cockpit. Rationale being that the 800GPH primary can outrun the 340GPH seawater pump and should the seawater pump outlast the primary then the auxillary will kick in, set off the alarm and aggravate someone at my marina to the point that they will investigate. Still gambling but arrive to a cool,dry boat.
You guys are just trying to make me nervous...My boat is docked 50 miles away with the AC running. I have an auxillary 1000GPH bilge pump on a separate circuit from the primary bilge pump with an alarm out in the cockpit. Rationale being that the 800GPH primary can outrun the 340GPH seawater pump and should the seawater pump outlast the primary then the auxillary will kick in, set off the alarm and aggravate someone at my marina to the point that they will investigate. Still gambling but arrive to a cool,dry boat.
A
Andy
Loss from heeling not the problem
If I loose prime from heeling AC will be the least of my worries! I'll just have to remember to do as MKing suggest and open up before power up!
If I loose prime from heeling AC will be the least of my worries! I'll just have to remember to do as MKing suggest and open up before power up!
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