Winterizing A/C

[tonyiiiafl]

I believe this was mentioned before, but I usually winterize my A/C by opening the strainer and pouring pink stuff in while i. Is running to push it through the system. kind of a PITA because the strainer goes dry and have to wait for the pump to pick up again. I thought I saw a post here that someone put a 3 way ball valve on and opened it to allow the pink to be pumped by a separate pump through the system?

[Midnightsun]

I had the same problem and looked for a way to do it on the hard as opposed to needing to run the AC pump.

This is what I cobbled together which works wonderfully and is now part of my Winterizing Kit. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4486&p=32968&hilit=pink+pump#p32968

A 3 way valve would not work on mine as I have 3 AC units. The pump feeds a manifold that supplies each unit. Problem with a multi valve is it selects only one outlet and therefor cannot supply to all which is required for normal AC use.

[tonyiiiafl]

Something as I was thinking. Mine comes in through the strainer to the pump, then the there is a tee to split to both units. I like what you did, and need to put it in design.

[Midnightsun]

It works really well. I did go back and change the link to the pump in the how to post to an active one. The pump is less than $20 delivered.

[denpooch]

I started to winterize my 2 unit system while on the 'hard'. I tried various techniques through the years but this seems to be the best for me. Although its a 2 person job, I can accomplish it pretty easily and it gets the job done.
Pink is poured into the strainer. Outside the boat your mate uses a Wetvac at each of the thru hulls pulling the antifreeze through the system. Once they see pink you're done.
In the spring, I 'prime' the system using a wetvac at the dock only this time pulling raw water. I only have to do this at one of the thru hulls and voila, its primed!

[Tireless]

I used to put the pink in the strainer and then I was taught and easier way to winterize my A/C on the hard. It is very simple and I have not had an issue.

1) Close the through hull fitting and ensure the strainer cap is still on. You need a closed system.
2) Using a compresser, blow compressed air through the forward through hull exhaust fitting. This should remove all the water and push it out the other through hull fittings, normally there are one or two near the aft depending on how many A/C units you have. Push compressed air through until there is no more water coming out.
3) Open the strainer cap and vacuum the water out of the strainer.
4) If on the hard, open and close the sea cox to remove the water. If you are still in the water, do this after you are on the hard to ensure there is no water near your ball valve.
5) Fill a 5 gallon pail with pink and put a small submersible pump (1/6 HP) in the pail. Using a hose attached to the top of the submersible, pump the pink through the same forward though hull exhaust fitting until the pink flows consistently out of the other through hull exhaust fittings.
6) I then blow the system out again with compressed air to get rid of the pink. I have been told you don't have to do this, but I do it anyway.
7) Remove the strainer cap to check for pink and open the ball valve after you are finished and on the hard.

I have made special attachments with shut offs and ends to push the air/non-tox through the hull fitting. These are a pressure fitting at the hull that I hold on as I have yet to find some that actually attaches to the fitting. I simply used a barbed fitting with a little electrical tape on the contact point to help make a seal on the fitting.

This system has worked for me and my friends over the last four years with no issue. I have also seen mechanics do it this way. I prefer to do it on the hard this way as I have better access and you don't need shore power, just 15 amp plug.

There are many ways to winterize A/C, all good, but this is my preferred way and I thought I would share with you. It may work for you.

Greg