Airconditioning seawater leak

[David]

Mike

Just ot follow up comments from Scott.

It may well be a corrosion problem.  I have a new unit I am about to install and there does not seem to be any hole or plug I can see in the tappered section in mine.  Have you installed a galvanic isolator on earth of shore power?  David

[Mike Brown]

James, yes it is. We get to sail all sorts of different models. This time it was the 50. Last year it was the 40 and 46. I was impressed by the way it handled under power as well as sail. Motored all day Saturday but Sunday we had 20kts of wind on our tails. We set the genny and left the motor on but at low RPMs. We made the run from Chesapeake City to Annapolis in 5hr 40 mins, best time so far. We were running with a 45 Jeanneau DS which was equally as fast. The 3rd boat was a 36 Jeanneau which we held back for. Otherwise we'd have made it in a little over 5 hrs. All in all a nice trip. Will you be going to the show this year? I'm working the show for the first time and will be at the Jeanneau display.
Mike

[Aquamarine]

We do have the AC unit that David posted (the earlier model of the Cruisair aircon). I am still finding seawater in the bilge, and it apparently is not coming from the AC unit. The little condensation pump is working like a champ (noisy but still doing its job).
The seawater is still localized to the same midsection compartment that the AC and bilge pumps are located so I am now wondering if the bilge pump setup itself is the culprit of the leak. As maybe the check valve is faulty and allowing a backflow? So there are two pumps one is a “Rule-Mate” the other is (?) I did move the hose for the other pump, and verified that it is not leaking back in. Although just recently it fails to clear the bilge, it makes a lot of noise but can only pump a little then seems to be “maxed out.” I think I need to replace that pump. So no I am back to trying to verify the Rule-Mate… so next time I get to the boat I’ll try to isolate that one.

Hmmm... How do I post pictures, I seem to only be successful with attaching files?

Anyhow attached is a picture of the bildge... As you can see in that attchment, I have fresh water coming in aft forward (top of the picture as I need to fix the fresh water pump, the other problem we have). But here the other bilge pump and check valve do not seem to be the problem.

[James Taylor]

Couple suggestions!
Make sure you have no leaks around the ac freshwater pump filter assembly ( I did, had to tighten) and make sure the speed paddle assembly is properly installed (ie arrow on equipment must point to bow). If the speed paddle is not installed with the arrow facing forward you will have a slight continuing water leak (did this one also).
James

[Mike Brown]

Another thing to do is remove the bronze strainer on the end of the hose and clean out any build up that may be in there. I had some residue in mine which prevented the valve from opening. The valve is nothing more than a round free floating plate that shuts itself with any back pressure. If it get's dirty it can't open and close and wont pick up water. One sign it's dirty is you can hear the pump run but it wont pick up water. Cleaned the strainer and all has been fine since.