Prime AC pump Cutwater 30CB

[chickensofthesea]

No water is discharging when running ac, so we are thinking we need to reprime the raw water line to the pump. First time using the AC this season. Boat was winterized in the slip with no issues. Had an engine room heater as well. Have read a few posts here for help. The strainer is not clogged and it is full of water. Tried on shore power and on generator. Don't seem to hear or feel the AC pump doing anything. Not overheated. All seacocks are properly opened. Shooting water with hose into strainer toward pump did not solve issue. Only a trickle of water came out the discharge holes on the bow when running hose into strainer. Normally we would see a stream of water discharging if it was working properly. Air is coming out of the vents inside the cabin but not cold enough.Any further ideas for getting it to work properly again?

 

[gsc3]

I just had a similar problem with the AC on our 2016 Cutwater 24. The problem was clogging in the AC's cooling line. Following the service manual, I removed the input and outflow hoses from the AC unit, connected a new hose from the input to the output of a submersible pump in a bucket, and a new hose from the AC outflow to drain into the bucket. I put a dilute solution of muratic acid in water in the bucket and pumped it through the AC's cooling line for about 5 minutes. When the pumping started a lot of sludge came out of the AC into the bucket. After 5 minutes I put fresh water in the bucket and flushed out the AC cooling line for another few minutes. After hooking everything back up, the AC water pump put a strong flow through the AC and out of the through hull. The manual says to do this every year, but my schedule has been about every three years, whenever the water flow gets too weak and is not remedied by cleaning the strainer. Good luck!

Slade Cargill
2016 Cutwater 24 "Sojourner"

 

[HopTug]

On my ranger tug, with the pump running, I just loosen one or two of the pump wing nuts until it starts to drip - that usually primes the pump. Tighten them back up and be on your way!

 

[chickensofthesea]

Thank you! We will try both of those ideas.

 

[BB marine]

The issue with many of the Ranger and Cutwater AC pumps not priming is the installation was not done properly. The pump is not self priming and is designed to be installed below the water line. Fluid Motion failed to read the installation recommendations. So, when the pump is drained it will not pick up a prime. There is air in the pump and air does not pump it compresses. You need to bleed all the air out of the strainer. If the strainer is above the water line fill it with water and put the cover on it now cycle the pump. It may take a couple times of doing this until the air is removed from the pump. once the air is out the pump is promised and will work fine until the boat is hauled with seacock open or the pump is drained for winterizing. The best solution to this issue is install the pump and strainer as per manufactures recommendations.

Page 7, It doesn't matter what manufacture. If it is not a self priming pump this is the recommendation for proper operation of the Marine air cooling system.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... PUDeKz1Shg

 

[chickensofthesea]

Thank you for all the advice. We did get it to prime. Water is exhausting out of the side. However, the front cabin is blowing hot air and rear seems cool but not sure either is cool enough. Thermostats are set correctly. Any other ideas to get this AC working again?