Flushing the A/C Unit

[denpooch]

When I was winterizing the A/C system last year, I used a reverse vacuum to blow out the lines and force antifreeze through the system.
I used a 'Sea Flush' funnel to accomplish this task. We noticed lots of gunk coming out of the forward thru hull so I want to descale and flush the system. There is a youtube video (attached) describing the process utilizing their system in conjunction with a product called 'Barnacle Buster'. Have any of you ever done this? I am thinking the system will run more efficiently when cleaned. Has anyone had experience using the product called 'Barnacle Buster' as described in the video? Do you have any experience and tips for getting this job done with or without this system? Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onBV7VvCdBg

[mjk1040]

Barnacle Buster is fine, however I found RydLyme seemed to do a better job. Have the Sea Flush unit and it works just fine, however I'm in the process of putting in Perko flushing valves with easy to reach hoses so all I have to do is close the seacocks and add my descaler or antifreeze without having to take things apart, working smarter not harder!

[Viper]

Personally I prefer Rydlyme too.

There is one thing mentioned in the video that I would approach with caution; he instructs you to pinch the line after the strainer however most applications usually use hoses that incorporate a wire or plastic winding within the hose. These types of hoses should never be pinched in that manner. If you're performing this task in the water, then you need to purge the water in the intake side but it's better to remove the hose from the output side of the strainer and block the port with your hand while you blow out the intake side, you'll need to close, open, then close the seacock again as required to accomplish this. If you're doing this out of the water and the line from the seacock to the strainer is installed correctly, it should be a down hill run and empty on its own. if that's the case, no need to purge the intake side or pinch a hose, you'll just have to drain the strainer by pulling the drain plug.

[Midnightsun]

My 2 cents.

The method shown also shows the coil or anything above that for that matter will drain out due to the exit through hull being lower meaning the product does not sit and desolve the scale/crude over time like it is suppose to. I much prefer to circulate the product via a pail and run it for 20 mins or so. Does require some hose pulling, a pump and access but a better method for sure.

Here is a rather primitive yet effective way of doing what I mentioned above. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOwfzHpn8sw

[Viper]

Agreed

[denpooch]

Thanks guys. I agree that recirculating is the better method, however, access to the appropriate lines will make this near impossible in my set up. I guess something will better than nothing.

[mjk1040]

Agreed, circulating is the best method if system is accessible. If not, what ever method u can use is better than not trying something at all to open them passages back up to full flow.