Thru-Hull Blockage...

[Jack Beale]

Recently, I've experienced what appars to be a blockage of the thru-hulls associated witht the reverse-cycle air conditioner and the refirgerator.I've been in a new marina in FL for about three weeks and I've noiced a huge bloom of very fine seaweed around the pilings. I cleaned the filter baskets on all intakes to remove debris that mostly clogged them. After replacing the filters, no water was being pumped through the systems.On closer inspection, I can get water through the systems using a hose to 'push' water through in both directions. The only 'logical' thing I can figure is that the H-380 has a screen on the seawater intakes that is blocked by the seaweed. The seaweed must be 'sucked' against the screen blocking it.Question is: Does the h-380 have a screen on the reverse-cycle air conditioner and the refrigerator raw wate intakes.Thanks

 

[Bryce Grefe]

blocked thru hull

Jack,I had a similar problem on the genset intake on my 410 last season. The intake didin't have a screen, just a clump of growth that looked similar to an oyster! I removed the hose from the thru hull and pushed it out from inside the boat with a hanger. Amazing what grows on the bottom sometimes.BryceS/V Spellbinder

 

[JAY EATON]

Post-Filter Replacement

I have not yet had this experience. However, I just read comments on the SailNet regarding this problem. I quote the following:From: AlanROates@aol.comTo: hunter-list@sailnet.netDate: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 08:02:59 ESTSubject: Re: [hunter-list] Reverse Cycle Air & RefrigerationJack,We have a '96 H376, and every time I change the filter for the factory installed refrigeration a bubble of air gets into the water pump and causes it to cavitate. The March-made pump that Hunter uses is supposed to be installed so the out-take line is facing up allowing the air to pass through the system. Hardly ever happens. I installed a "tee" fitting with a length of water line just before the pump intake and bled the system each time I cleaned the filter. That worked, but it was cumbersome to reach the hose. The entire system on the H376 is under the starboard settee, and because we installed factory air conditioning the pump is totally inaccessible without unscrewing the entire settee platform top. Lately I have been undoing the waterline going into the compressor and using an irrigating syringe (like a large turkey baster) to bleed the system. Works every time.Try reinstalling the pump so the outflow line faces up, it should help. Also, plan on buying a lot of March pumps. I'm on my fourth one at $180 a pop. The pump is designed well but March uses an electric motor with a bushing for the front bearing, and it wears out quickly. About once a year in my experience - just after the warranty runs out. March just came out with a new model that has a 50,000-hour life. We'll see.Good luck. --- unquote.JAY