Venturi for AC Condensation pan

[bcollis]

I'm debating on putting AC in my 88 H30. The problem is the space that I have to put it in. I have an area forward of the water tank in the vberth that is just large enough for all of the equipment, with the exception of a suitable way to drain the condensation pan into the bilge. There just isn't a way to run a hose aft. I'd consider a micro pump, but I'm not sure I'd trust it. I like the idea of a venturi line attached to the outgoing raw water line. Has anyone tried something like this?

 

[bcollis]

Looks like I'm not the first to look into this, and also not the first to post a question without searching the forum first. Sounds like a venturi is the way to go.

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...itioner-condensate-drain.173480/#post-1229035

 

[Davidasailor26]

I agree. We had a Mermaid Venturi style device on our previous boat, and it worked well.

I am surprised that you'd need a hose to carry the condensate to the bilge. Wouldn't it run along the hull to get there on its own? (Not that having condensate constantly in the bilge is a good situation.)

 

[bcollis]

The area that I'm hoping to put it in has a bulkhead that sits snugly against the outline of the hull. It's probably a somewhat sealed section to prevent water from flooding the boat after a collision. Like the Titanic though, if the water were to get over 15 inches deep, it would overflow into holes placed for the water tank fill and vent, then sink the boat.

You're right about a dry bilge. That's what I hope to keep.

 

[gettinthere]

I installed a saltwater aquarium venturi. Works great, sucks all the water out of the pan.
A few things to consider...
if any gunk gets in the pan, it can clog the venturi. So keep the pan clean.
I put a valve between the venturi and the thru hull plus a loop well above heeled waterline, I can heal the boat enough to put the thru hull under water. I never run the AC under weigh.
When you install the inlet seacock, consider an extra tee with valve on that inlet. Mine is just above static waterline, I can add a garden hose to that tee, shut off the seawater thru hull valve and flush the AC with fresh garden hose water. I can also use that if I get an air lock in the system.

 

[Pat]

We used the Mermaid Condensator on our 272 AC....works like a champ...everyone once in awhile there will be a bit of debris
in the pan which is easy to get out, but it will go for nearly an entire summer without an issue......Patrick