Cleaned Strainer Now HPF

[bigtex]

Hey All,

Recently cleaned the sea strainer in a HVAC in a new to me boat. I closed Peacock, cleaned strainer, put back in and opened seacock then turned on the system. It sounds a bit different and then outputs HPF error which I have come to find out is a flow issue.

Is there anything I'm missing? Does the unit need to be primed somehow after draining the strainer?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[Sailmonkey]

You’ve got an airlock in the centrifugal pump.

Some are a pain to burp, others are as easy as cracking the lid of the strainer with the seacock open.

[bigtex]

I have a Sherwood strainer.
https://imgur.com/a/wfjv8J5

Where would I look for centrifugal pump?
Thank you

[Sailmonkey]

Between the strainer and the air conditioner.

The pump is what supplies the cooling water to the air conditioner.

These pumps cannot pump air, so when an air bubble gets stuck in them the AC overheats.

[Mo Surprises]

Sailmonkey nailed it. I used to have a problem with airlock also and had to burp the water pump. I moved the pump so that it’s lower than the strainer and airlock problems were diminished although when it occasionally occurs I crack the lid of the strainer, much easier than burping the pump. The air lock can also occur after a bumpy sail! Good luck.

[bigtex]

By lid do you mean the strainer bowl ? If I run the Hvac and loosen then tighten ?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by bigtex

By lid do you mean the strainer bowl ? If I run the Hvac and loosen then tighten ?

Yep. Most bronze strainers have a lid on top.

But in your case, this is what you’ve got, so loosen the bowl.

[a64pilot]

One of my units I have to remove the hose from the outlet of the pump for a second and let water flow, it will the work OK, until as was said we go out in lumpy weather and I believe the thru hull comes out of the water, then you have to remove the hose again.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

One of my units I have to remove the hose from the outlet of the pump for a second and let water flow, it will the work OK, until as was said we go out in lumpy weather and I believe the thru hull comes out of the water, then you have to remove the hose again.

OP, if this is an option for you, and you’re planning on running the AC a lot in a Texas marina, I highly recommend putting a bleed valve on the output of the pump.

The water here has a habit of coming to life in the free lunch of a strainer.

[sailian89]

The pump I have had an Allen screw on top for bleeding air. Was in the manual...

[PineyWoodsPete]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

OP, if this is an option for you, and you’re planning on running the AC a lot in a Texas marina, I highly recommend putting a bleed valve on the output of the pump.

The water here has a habit of coming to life in the free lunch of a strainer.

My boat came with a handy T-valve at the pump inlet rather than outlet I believe, with a couple feet of 1/4" clear tubing attached. Found it after mucking about in the bilge to find the source of the "strangled cat" sound, w/ HPF error on the Dometic control.

[Coolerking]

1- Leave the pump off.
2-Thru hull open
3- Crack the lid of the strainer to allow any air to escape.
4-Loosen the hose on the discharge side of the pump head until clean water comes out AND/OR
5- Loosen the seawater hose at the condenser seawater inlet, I like this method best because it allows me to pruge the lines from the highest point and no seawater is actually seen, (we are bleeding the pump right?) it should be well below the unit and once it's primed its good to go.
6- Tighten all the clamps and check for leaks while you enjoy your AC.
.....I also rinse any clamps that get seawater on them during this process, use a simple spray bottle of fresh water and a few rags to get it cleaned up, they will last much longer....kind of.

[bigtex]

Originally Posted by Coolerking

1- Leave the pump off.
2-Thru hull open
3- Crack the lid of the strainer to allow any air to escape.
4-Loosen the hose on the discharge side of the pump head until clean water comes out AND/OR
5- Loosen the seawater hose at the condenser seawater inlet, I like this method best because it allows me to pruge the lines from the highest point and no seawater is actually seen, (we are bleeding the pump right?) it should be well below the unit and once it's primed its good to go.
6- Tighten all the clamps and check for leaks while you enjoy your AC.
.....I also rinse any clamps that get seawater on them during this process, use a simple spray bottle of fresh water and a few rags to get it cleaned up, they will last much longer....kind of.

Thanks for the information
I’m just getting accustomed to the boat so will need to see how to leave the pump off unless you are meaning entire ac system

My pump is here
https://imgur.com/a/RIbKMpe

The white hose is the outlet and have been stuck getting it off
I have tried running the system and cracking the strainer but did not seem to help much

Thanks to all for the replies !

[Sailmonkey]

Can you get the hose off of the air conditioner and either blow or suck on it?

Even putting a garden hose into the discharge through hull and forcing water backwards into the system may work

[bigtex]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Can you get the hose off of the air conditioner and either blow or suck on it?

Even putting a garden hose into the discharge through hull and forcing water backwards into the system may work

I did get the inlet on the unit hose off

https://imgur.com/a/nIQRbob

Not feeling too comfortable running system with this off but if it’s ok for short time I could

Will try shoving water into outflow also thanks