Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Discussion of AC's, plumbing and sanitation related issues.
Viper
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by Viper »

If it's wired right, the pump shouldn't come on simply by turning on the breaker. It should only come on when you turn one of the AC units on, then the controller will activate the pump to supply water. The only way it would come on without one of the units working is if the controller was by-passed because the relay or driver for the motor failed.
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Midnightsun
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by Midnightsun »

I don’t need to turn on units for bilge to fill, just the pump.
Like Viper said, you should not be able to turn on the pump. It only turns on if you turn on any AC unit.
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by bud37 »

There were some earlier units that you could just turn the pump on, but in this case it is an 87 so I don't know about that, that is why I asked if running......it just seems a bit odd. Bright light and mirrors, dry the bilge, lay down towels then check while running.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by waybomb »

The ac in the back discharges out the "exhaust". Not really, but the hose is connected to the same hull channel as the engine exhaust.
You need to follow the line from the pump to all three ac units, and then from the ac units to their through hulls. It should be coming out
the exhaust channel;
midships, port side;
and bow end which side, I don't remember.
If you have it flowing from the exhaust and the bow, I'd start with the one in the middle. Climb into the engine room, forward of the genset, and I believe you'll see the discharge hose of the mid-ac unity. It's probably busted or disconnected from the through hull.
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by tomschauer »

Not sure about the temps where you are, but if you are subject to freezing temps and the a/c units were not properly winterized, you could have split a tube on your condenser. That would let water leak into the bilge and still come out the discharge thru hulls. You would just need to look at each a/c unit with the pump running, you should be able to see or at least hear water leaking.
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by Viper »

Good point Tom. I thought of that too but it seems the boat is in California so I eliminated that possibility but there is certainly a chance the same thing can happen due to corrosion. I think what needs to happen is take the measures needed for the leak to occur, then go on a search through every hatch, access, etc. to at least narrow down the area where it's originating, then fine tune the search to the source. Unfortunately, this may involve dismantling the inside of cupboards if necessary. Hopefully it's something simple and accessible and not a cracked manifold where the discharges go into, but even if it is, it's repairable, you just have to find out where.
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by buster53 »

pdragula wrote:QR_BBPOST I don’t need to turn on units for bilge to fill, just the pump.
Ok, humor me on this question...
I assume you are turning on the pump at the circuit breaker, correct?
If so, are you turning on the circuit breaker on the 120 volt side of your electric panel or the 12 volt side?
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by buster53 »

pdragula wrote:QR_BBPOST Hey guys,

Yes I have traced all lines and no leaks. I don’t see how it is connected to exhaust. Water is discharging from exhaust, front of hull and now bilge.

Anyone know where to look for connection on exhaust from ac?
Ok, what’s the latest....
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by Viper »

Curious minds want to know!
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vtcats
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Re: Water in bilge when I turn on ac

Post by vtcats »

Does your pump have a bleeder screw? It’s used to purge if air gets into the system, but if it broke on the pump it will be spitting out water as it runs.
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