Boat A/C

[gcredle]

Got on the boat yesterday--opened everything thing up, cleaned the cabin--got some fresh air in the boat and let it breathe. Once the afternoon warmed, I fired the generator up and decided I would run the A/C just to put it through its paces---quickly noticed no cooling water exiting the A/C and display flashed " High Head Pressure" and shut down. So I guess checking the strainers , clear the lines and possibly check the water pump just got added to my to do list.
So I would like to ask the question: What is your typical monthly, quarterly and annual checklist of maint. items look like for your onboard heat/ac units?

[billschwabe]

Depends on if they stay running continuously (sound like not) and if they are on a central pump system. At least monthly I would check and clean strainers, and at the same time do the air intake filters. They are usually behind the return grills but sometimes on the face of the evaporator coils themselves too.

[Mako 36]

Got on the boat yesterday--opened everything thing up, cleaned the cabin--got some fresh air in the boat and let it breathe. Once the afternoon warmed, I fired the generator up and decided I would run the A/C just to put it through its paces---quickly noticed no cooling water exiting the A/C and display flashed " High Head Pressure" and shut down. So I guess checking the strainers , clear the lines and possibly check the water pump just got added to my to do list.
So I would like to ask the question: What is your typical monthly, quarterly and annual checklist of maint. items look like for your onboard heat/ac units?

I keep my seacock closed for my A.C. so the growth in the line is kept to a minimum,

If I'm not on the boat every day.

[seapower]

Just get your "other half" to give me a call, I'm sure I can fit you in Frank

[Kahi]

.....Is your friend. Curculate it according to the directions, will clear out the build up of Lyme and barnacles..might be zebra mussels or marine build up..I saw a major improvement after one hour of circulation on a small unit.

[clt_capt]

I normally leave the ACs in Humidity Mode if I am not around - that greatly reduces the amount of garbage getting sucked up...

I clean the strainer on a regular basis - every few weeks, and I'll put pool Chlorine tabs in the strainer basket after cleaning - with the ACs in Humidity, the chlorine tabs do a good job of keeping the growth out.

Each winter, I'll cycle a very dilute muriatic acid solution through the units themselves to clean them out - it is amazing how much better they cool after the gunk is flushed.

[Questsportfishing]

you can have a brand new boat and back her in a slip of muddy water and it can clog up a sea strainer! plastic, grass, cigarette butts... you name it it can make for a bad day!
you should check out your raw water strainers at least on a month to month basis and then you will know them. get a new inside 'basket' for the strainer if it has holes in it or it is rusting also. always remember if momma ain't happy on the boat.. your not happy on the boat..
even when we go to the bahamas or keys I have a spare march pump in my box of tricks to replace a pump if I have to...

[gcredle]

Thank you for all the replies--lots of good info shared here.
Historically I have not had the pleasure of onboard A/C---so its new to me and so is the maint. side of it. I appreciate all the help.
Seapower---I'll call you in if I get over my head..

[Tarbaby]

Check to see if the breaker for the pump is on. It could also be stuck and needs a little pursuasion.

Not much you can do in the winter if it is winterized. If not you could run it once a month just to keep it lubed and free. I run the A/C in my truck in the winter once a month for good measure.

[Fin Hunter]

Muriatic acid diluted once or twice a year cycled through your lines will clean the gunk out. I have also seen when your lines start to get clogged the system will get an air lock and you will have to spray water into the system through the discharge port in the side of the boat. Dirty filters will also cause you problems as others have stated already.