Air Conditioning condensing drain

[SVNeko]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Or for $5.41 plus the cost of some tubing, you could do this. Same thing!

More than just a pic would help. But it looks like it might restrict the cooling water flow a bit.

[sailormed]

Venturi tubes can be found in waterbed tubes, they are used to empty the bed.


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[sailormed]

Sorry shops


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[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by SVNeko

More than just a pic would help. But it looks like it might restrict the cooling water flow a bit.

Just an example of the many choices available. This one pictured is the one I use available on Amazon.
No loss of flow rate if you select the appropriate size Venturi.

I hate to see people waste money on marketing packages.

[boeing1]

Yes Mermaid does sell a device to drain the pan, I have installed them on two units, they work quite well, however they are pricey

[SVNeko]

Here's a relevant thread.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ump-62347.html

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by TxCoastSailor

We did this:

Mermaid Condensator / Accessories / Marine Division / Home - Mermaid Manfucturing - Home of Mermaid Marine Air Conditioning & Medi-Kool Climate Controlled Drug Cabinets

Yep, used the same successfully for many years now. Occasionally need to wire out the venturi. Our boat has no bilge and this carries the condensate directly from pan to overboard.

[98blackbell]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

catalina42goup

Use the association website, in addition to this fine forum. Saves reinventing the wheel with your boat-specific issues.

Thanks for the link.

[sailcrazy]

We let both our ac's drain into the bilge, where I've installed a "tree" (for easy removal/mx) with a bilge pump at the bottom (with a dedicated level sw), a second bilge pump above it (with a dedicated sw), and a bilge alarm (horn) sw located above everything. The ac's condensate lets me know the bilge pump and sw are (still) working as they should when we run our ac's......gives me a warm fuzzy-not a bad thing! Why do you need/want a totally dry bilge......ours (FG) has not been dry since we bought our boat in 1999?

[drruss]

I installed the venturi devices on both air conditioners on our Tayana 48...works great and easy to install!!

[Robin3]

Originally Posted by SVNeko

We run two AC condensate drains into a sump box, which pumps it overboard.
RULE INDUSTRIES Shower Sump System | West Marine

We have the same. The over pressure relief water from the calorifier (hot water tank) and the drain from the fridge/freezer also go there.

[SVNeko]

Have any of you fit the venturi below the waterline? Even if above, if your AC is below the waterline, do you worry about a siphon from the seawater line into the pan?

[EmeraldCoastSailor]

I have gone thru a few condensate pumps in 8 years. I considered the cheap venturi approach but didn't want to add load or complexity to my AC system which may or may not be a valid concern. I got a great little pump from John at EDC ((203) 881-5544) that works super so far for me. I plumbed it to the pan so water flows down to the pump and automatically gets put overboard. I didn't have room for a sump approach. My EDC pump is the sump in effect.

[Akapeterc]

Our units go to the sump for both bathrooms

[Djarraluda]

Originally Posted by redsky49

From the perspective of HVAC and air quality/safety, while Legionella is possible, it is not the primary worry. Bacteria is likely to be present however, and there are likely various contaminants, including heavy metals, often found in condensate.

Best operating practices should include keeping the evaporator coil clean, ensuring positive drainage of the condensate pan, and periodically cleaning and sterilizing the pan. Biocides are available for this with wide spectrum capability.

A single dedicated condensate sump would be a good approach if you are able to drain both units by gravity to a single collection point.

Bit of a stretch to start talking of Legionella. It does not breed in the condensate, partially because it is unlikely to be there (naturally occurring bacteria in soil etc) but essentially, it needs 30-45 degrees C to breed. You must be thinking of the cooling towers used in the commercial a/c units for heat rejection.

Also, no idea where you are getting your heavy metals, condensate from a/c comes out of the air, you must be in a toxic environment!

Tea Tree oil and other natural biocides are great for the mould that will grow.

Avoid the wild stories of needing chlorine (bleach) to kill the legionella though, partly you are unlikely to have it and partly because it does not do much anyway, except chew through various metal components. Cleaning the lint, mould and general grot is the best way to keep things healthy, topped off with the eucalyptus oil for a great fish smell.