Webastco FCF E1 Error

[OS2Dude]

I cleared the raw water strainer for the A/C (Webastco 24K FCF) and now get a high head pressure alarm (E1) after several minutes. The manual says it is a water flow issue, but I don't notice a drop in output. If the temperature outside is not too high the unit will cycle as normal, but in the heat of the day it will start giving the error.


The manual states specifically to hook up input/output hoses to specified places, so I'm concerned about trying to reverse the connections to flush it out. (Read somewhere it is a capillary exchange system?)

Any ideas?

[a64pilot]

You sure it’s pumping water? Cause I think that is an actual over pressure alarm, meaning of course no or not enough water flow. My pumps are a bear to reprime, they won’t pull water an inch.

To flush hook up a garden hose and let it rip. If it gets bad I fill a 5 Fl bucket with muratic acid and water and let flow around in a circle.
I have only done that once, and probably shouldn’t have then.
You can’t hurt it by pumping water backwards or forward, it’s just basically an open pipe, surrounded by another pipe with refrigerant in it, the water section is just open. The compressor doesn’t need to be running for a flush, but likely a flush won’t accomplish much, but doesn’t hurt to try.

I have primed my system by putting a garden hose on the discharge thru hull and pumping water backwards, then of course turning the system on.

[OS2Dude]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You sure it’s pumping water? Cause I think that is an actual over pressure alarm, meaning of course no or not enough water flow. My pumps are a bear to reprime, they won’t pull water an inch.

Yes, I can look over the side and see the water leaving the boat. I don't know if it was a coincidence that the alarm started after cleaning the strainer or not. It was a mess, and I'm a little surprised that the alarm didn't start earlier due to the condition of the strainer screen. Since my pump is below the water line as recommended by the installation manual, all I have to do to prime it is to remove the output hose from the pump while the seacock is open.

[Sailmonkey]

You may have so much scum built up inside the heat exchanger that it’s not efficiently exchanging. This can be exacerbated by being afloat in extremely warm water (like a muddy brown shallow marina in Texas). Best bet would be a mild acid flush of the condenser to remove scale and slime.

[dslance]

Sailmonkey I'm in Waterford Harbor marina and I'm getting the acid flush done today becuase you are right about our hot muddy water here in the back waters of the bay.