AC Condensation

[Wmiii]

We live aboard in Bradenton Florida. Our Marine Air system runs basically all the time. The condensation collects around the units and drains into the bilge.
Occasionally the drain tube stops up and water overflows the tray and into the floor which has discolored it.
Is there a way to keep the tube from stopping up or some treatment that helps, or just 'blow' it out every so often?
Thanks,

Wm Mayberry
OPTIMYSTIQUE
IP 37-30

[chala]

Originally Posted by Wmiii

Occasionally the drain tube stops up

Sometime a little skirt of dish washing detergent where the condensation collect can help so long the bilge can handle the detergent.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Wmiii

We live aboard in Bradenton Florida. Our Marine Air system runs basically all the time. The condensation collects around the units and drains into the bilge.
Occasionally the drain tube stops up and water overflows the tray and into the floor which has discolored it.
Is there a way to keep the tube from stopping up or some treatment that helps, or just 'blow' it out every so often?
Thanks,

Wm Mayberry
OPTIMYSTIQUE
IP 37-30

A. Ensure you have an effective filter on the return air and particularly in front of the evaporator grill assembly and clean or replace these regularly. If not, dust/debris that lodges in the vanes of the evaporator will be washed into the condensate pan by the condensate run-off, creating mud in the pan that will obstruct the collection pan drain tubes;

B. From time-to-time, at least weekly if you are living aboard 24/7, use a long tube to squirt a bit of bilge cleaner into the condensate pan to help breakdown debris and any algae that might be developing there and wash it through/out of the system. A squirt of Lemon Juice into the pan periodically will also help keep things clean and prevent odors.

FWIW, we do the foregoing but also periodically use our shop vac to suction out the condensate drain lines (we have two, one each on the port and starboard sides of the pan that are joined at a T-fitting and a single line to the bilge) to ensure there are no obstructions.

FWIW...

[Wmiii]

Thanks for the ideas.

Wm

[gettinthere]

I put a venturi in the overboard discharge. It sucks the condensate out of the pan. Pan stays dry, nothing goes into the bilge.

Bought venturi at a salt water fish tank supply

[S/V Illusion]

The Venturi tube solution is an excellent suggestion. The only other comment I have is to increase the size (diameter) of the hose draining the pan. It sounds like yours is simply too small and increasing its size should preclude clogging

[Hudson Force]

My solution to this problem is very simple and effective, but you need to take care that the position of your AC and plumbing related to your water level will allow the solution. I took my tube leading away from my condensation pan and "T-ed" it to my cooling (heat exchange) water that is pumped through the AC coils. This fast moving flow creates a suction that overcomes any collection of dust or debris that used to clog my pan drain. My AC is above the added T-fitting and the T-fitting is above the effluent of my cooling water and the cooling water effluent through-hull is just above the waterline.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

My solution to this problem is very simple and effective, but you need to take care that the position of your AC and plumbing related to your water level will allow the solution. I took my tube leading away from my condensation pan and "T-ed" it to my cooling (heat exchange) water that is pumped through the AC coils. This fast moving flow creates a suction that overcomes any collection of dust or debris that used to clog my pan drain. My AC is above the added T-fitting and the T-fitting is above the effluent of my cooling water and the cooling water effluent through-hull is just above the waterline.

This is the method for connecting a venturi as previously suggested. If you omitted the venturi in that flow scheme, you limit the suction potential with the unintended and potentially disasterous consequence of creating a backflow path in the event of a blockage.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

This is the method for connecting a venturi as previously suggested. If you omitted the venturi in that flow scheme, you limit the suction potential with the unintended and potentially disasterous consequence of creating a backflow path in the event of a blockage.

Without the venturi I'm best described as using aspiration instead. I understand the blockage risk; however, any blockage of my heat exchange water would be at the influent and of no consequence. It's true that blockage at the effluent could be disasterous, but it's difficult to imagine such a scenario.