Bilge...Why Is There Water?

[JPA Cate]

Kenomac mentioned it first, but often, it is from refrigeration systems, too.

The shaft seal shouldn't be leaking as much as she describes, although it would need tightening, some, if it is dripping steadily at rest.

@Pete: Yes, dusty bilges are a wondrous item. Love 'em.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by scarlet

Would a shaft seal be leaking on new boats?

Drip, sure. Maybe trip the bilge pump every few hours until broken in and adjusted to not leak as much, but if your seeing continuous water, then that is the AC.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Wotname

It is the cooling water from the condenser side of the A/C system; similar to the cooling water from an engine.

Anytime the A/C is running, there will be cooling water discharged.

Correct. The cooling water runs continuously.

[savoir]

Originally Posted by scarlet

does an A/C unit put out gallons and gallons of water?

Sure does. Small units put out 5 gpm and it goes up from there. Water cooled fridges put out 2 - 3 gpm.

[Starbuck]

Gallons per minute? WUT?

[robert sailor]

Geeez who owns air conditioners that put at that amount of water, sure they do a constant trickle because they are a dehumidifier as well. If someone has a fairly large reefer going with salt water cooling then you certainly will get a steady stream there or if a watermaker is running you'll get a pretty good stream of water there as well.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Geeez who owns air conditioners that put at that amount of water, sure they do a constant trickle because they are a dehumidifier as well. If someone has a fairly large reefer going with salt water cooling then you certainly will get a steady stream there or if a watermaker is running you'll get a pretty good stream of water there as well.

most marine AC units use water cooled heat exchangers as oppose to the air type you are used to seeing on a house.
HTTPS://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/pro...rine?at=marine

[four winds]

robert sailor, a marine air conditioner puts out water like a large reefer with water cooling. And for the same reason, it's how it works. It's not the familiar drip from condensation we all know.

Edit, newhaul beat me to the response.

But for what it's worth, when I used to live at a marina hardly a summer week went by that someone walking the dock would ask me if my boat was leaking or sinking. Living on anchor for years now and sorta miss using the "central air and heat". Don't even know if it still works.

[Aquadome]

Originally Posted by scarlet

does an A/C unit put out gallons and gallons of water?

The AC sucks up and discharges seawater continuously while it is running - if you saw my boat with all ACs running you'd see continuous water coming out of three holes on the port and stb sides.

[akprb]

Originally Posted by scarlet

does an A/C unit put out gallons and gallons of water?

Yes, gallons and gallons ;-)

[robert sailor]

I guess I'm still living in Hicksville, lol I've only been exposed to air cooled air con systems and personally have never used it myself, thanks for the education.

[zeehag]

first time next to a constantly pissing boat after being a wood boat no engine sailor can be somewhat disconcerting.
now i hear the water pouring out an think it ism y own bilge pumps... oopsy. always must check.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by scarlet

I've always wanted to ask this question. I've often been walking through marinas, and see water being pumped out of the boat through the bilge discharge, even though the weather has been beautiful, and no rain. In October, we were in Annapolis, and I noticed that many of the brand new boats at the show, also had water being pumped out of them. Brand new boats! There was no rain, so no water leaking into the boat from there. There were grey water tanks, presumably well sealed... black water tanks, also presumably sealed. I'm guessing the fresh water tanks were also well sealed, being that they were brand new boats. So, where would that water actually be coming from?

AC condensation discharge?

[Aquadome]

Originally Posted by Cadence

AC condensation discharge?

NO.... seawater cooled a.c.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Aquadome

NO.... seawater cooled a.c.

My bad, lack of thinking much about it. He is looking at the little piss hole for the AC cooling discharge not a bilge pump discharge.