Air Conditioner Maintenance

[Bill Lee]

I have an a/c reverse cycle heat system aboard that is cooled with seawater. Is this system like a house a/c and does it need any maintenance? If so - what maintenance? Thanks all,
Bill

[Hudson Force]

Cleaning the filters is essential and keeping good surface area contact between the water in the coils and the air flow over the fins (grating). I have been in areas where a film of silt and/or algae has built up a layer on the inside of my coils and reduced the heat exchange. I was successfull in cleaning the coils by using a plastic surfer's leash as an auger to ream through the coils. I cut off the ends of the soft plastic leash and it worked well without any risk of damage. This is a yearly task for me. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[Bill Lee]

Thanks! Will do.
Cheers,
Bill

[speciald@ocens.]

Clean the screen, clean the water strainer, in areas of high growth of sea creatures - rinse out the plumbing with a Chlorox solution. i don't think it is neccessary to have the charge tested. In 20 years, the only problems I've had is failure of the water pump; so far no compressor failures.