Marine Air Conditioning

[Hermit Scott]

I pulled the engine in my Catalina 30 today. I pulled the head and most of the water passages were clogged, it had pits at the lowest part of the cylinder sleeve. I am going to rebuild it top to bottom.
Any way I was checking out my boat and I noticed that someone installed an aftermarket marine air conditioner (thanks to whoever did that). I didn't even try starting it up yet for fear of damaging it before I consult the pros on here.
It hasn't been ran in at least 2 years. Is there any thing I need to watch out for when firing it up? What general things should I look for?
I wish I had some info about it but all I know is it has a sealed 'little giant' sea water pump.

 

[Pete]

MFG WEB SITE

Check out the manufacturer's web site for owners manual and model info. It should be pretty straight forward make sure the water valve is open and strainer in place for the water pump, if everything "looks" normal (see manual for more installation info),turn it on.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

In addition...

check to see that water is going overboard when pump comes on. Also check that thev air filters are clean.
If water pump isn't working, no overboard discharge will be seen.
The A/C should have an automatic shut off switch (overload switch) if the compressor gets too hot from pumpm failure of clogged filters.
Like the man said, open the sea cocks and turn it on. If all looks good, I would not leave it on or unattended until at least a few days of you being there to monitor for leaks.
If it dont work, let us know what is or is not happening

Tony B

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

If no flow from the water pump:

It may need to be primed. Some pumps are self priming others are not, even if they are below the water line. The air in the hose from the pump to the compressor will not allow some of these pumps to prime.

If this happens, close the thru hull, Remove the hose from this discharge side open the thru hull till water come out the end of the pump, close the thru hull, reclamp the hose, then start the ac.

I have a pump which looses its prime each time I"m on a port tack. I installed a T in the hose between the pump and the condensor, ran a clear hose to a valve above the water line. Each time I have to prime the pump, I open the valve on this hose till I see water starting to fill the hose. It has saved me a lot of work.

 

[Dan]

Auto shut off?

Find out if the unit shuts down in the event of low refrigerant. If it doesn't, you need to make sure you have enough refrigerant in the system or the compressor will seize.