inoperative A/C

[Jerold Geisenheimer]

We survived Irene probably because we hauled Joint Venture out of the Stoney Point Marina and onto land. No damage. However now the A/C does not work when we relaunched her. No water comes out of the outlets for both of the units. The strainers are clean. I do recall someone else having a similar problem when relaunching. Any advice? Thanks.
Jerry Geisenheimer

 

[Levitation]

A quick fix, is to pull the end of the hose at the sea strainer (port side of engine on the floor of the hull there) and blow some water through it - water hose at slip or from the cockpit washdown... This will clear any airlock or grass in the system... Clamp the end back on and it should start right up...

denny-o

 

[Jerold Geisenheimer]

Thank you for your quick reply. Sounds like a good plan, makes sense. Will try it when we take boat out later this week. Jerry

 

[Shared Dream II]

Jerry
The other way to resolve the A/C is to run the boat at speed and then turn on the A/C. This will force the water through the high speed pick up for the A/C, clear the air gap and the units will function normally. Of course, you will need to ensure the seacocks for the generator and A/C are open.
Best Regards
Ken

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I have couple of questions about the AC not working on relaunch. When you took your boat out of the water did you leave the thru hull fitting for the air unit open or did you close it? Would it make sense to close the valve when hauling out in order to hold the water in the lines and would this help prevent an air lock situation once the boat is relaunched, valve turned on and air started? Would those that trailer their boats a lot advise what you do and why? Thanks in advance.

 

[knotflying]

I have launched and retrieved several times and never had this issue. However I have always opened the seacocks prior to launch and have cruised prior to docking at a distant marina so perhaps I avoided the problem by going a distance prior to using the a/c. The idea of closing the seacock on the a/c prior to retrieval sounds like a good idea.

 

[PhilR]

I keep the AC seacock closed when I haul my boat. It's open only when it's in the water and the AC is on. I tried traveling at speed with the seacock open and the AC on...no luck. I'm going to have to disconnect the line and run water in under a little pressure to get it working I guess.

 

[commander bill]

Those of us that haul our boats have alot of exerience with this. These boats have a long history of this problem which is difficulty of self priming of water hoses. The idea of leaving the hull valve closed would likely work although, I doubt if that is a good idea for extended (over the winter) periods as stagnant raw water is bad for metal and can freeze. Also, as mentioned the problem will not be seen if an extended time or cruise occurs before you attempt to start AC after launching. I would guess the motion over time would result in the hoses filling to prime the sea water pump. If you search the Dominec website for info on these pumps they recommend at least 2 feet of suction head for installation which is not possible in out boats. Ranger would have had to design our boats with much deeper draft to allow that needed suction head. That plus the long length of suction & discharge hoses between the hull valve (rear of boat) and the AC unit (forward part of boat) and it takes alot otf time for that initial water fill. After the initial fill the hoses remain filled/primed until next time you haul your boat. There have been several good/workable suggestions to help. It just helps if you understand what is causing the problem.