HELP - Winterizing my 340 DA's Air Conditioner

Soul Mate II

Soul Mate II

Member
Jun 28, 2015
193
New York
Boat Info
99 340 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 Mercruiser w V drives
The boat is all winterized...engines, generator, water system but I am having no luck with the air conditioning unit. Here is what I tried - I opened the sea strainer put a hose into it. Turned on the AC in the cabin. I was getting cold air but no water was being pulled out of the strainer. The bucket water went down a very little bit. My plan was to run fresh water and then non tox through the strainer. I have a Cruisair SX12-R4. How do you winterize your AC unit?

Thanks for the help!
 
If you're out of the water then open the seacock and pump antifreeze into the system from the through hull outlet. When the antifreeze come out the pick up you're done!

-Kevin
 
The AC pump will not prime itself as it is not designed to do that. You will need to put the bucket much higher then the pump to get some head on it so it primes and pulls the AF in.

As others have said, you can pump it through the outlet if you have a pump. I am planning to use my sea flush and a shop vac to blow the AF through the AC units per their videos on their web site. Considering the charge from my yard is around $75 for my two units (which is ridiculous when you see the video) I think it was worth the purchase. Plan on using the sea flush for my engines and generator to get AF into them as well.
 
Alegria said:
The AC pump will not prime itself as it is not designed to do that. You will need to put the bucket much higher then the pump to get some head on it so it primes and pulls the AF in.

As others have said, you can pump it through the outlet if you have a pump. I am planning to use my sea flush and a shop vac to blow the AF through the AC units per their videos on their web site. Considering the charge from my yard is around $75 for my two units (which is ridiculous when you see the video) I think it was worth the purchase. Plan on using the sea flush for my engines and generator to get AF into them as well.
Click to expand...

I have and used the Seaflush when winterizing the AC in water and worked well. Worked well for the engines too. It's a pretty expensive funnel but just like you said it paid for itself in one season. The snorkel works well to prime or push the AF through but depending on your ER setup can be tricky to get the proper rise and still pour in. I was a little underwhelmed in the fact that it was basically a PVC cap and a drain hose - but it saved me the time and expense to build one.

As far as the pump goes I use the little red hand held one from Harbor Freight - a little extra electrical tape around the hose to make the seal and a few pumps and the AF is pushed through.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
If you're out of the water then open the seacock and pump antifreeze into the system from the through hull outlet. When the antifreeze come out the pick up you're done!

-Kevin
Click to expand...
I use a drill mounted pump. Drop one end of hose in a gallon of AF and push the other end into the AC outlet. Squeeze the drill trigger and 30 sec your done. One of the easiest parts of my winter routine.
 
I am always amazed at how much they charge to winterize the AC system considering it is so easy. I know its a business and they need to make money some how but plenty of places will not even allow you to do it and people have to pay.

-Kevin
 
Use an old bilge pump, stuck it in a bucket of pink. I put a switch inline on the positive side. A small utility battery works great (like for a garden tractor).
 
Don't want to hi jack a thread but this question is a little related. What about the condensate lines? How do they get winterized
 
katricol said:
Don't want to hi jack a thread but this question is a little related. What about the condensate lines? How do they get winterized
Click to expand...

Shop Vac out any standing water in the pan. Pour in antifreeze and let it run down to the sump. Listen for the sump to kick on and I think your done. My shower drains go into the same sump so I do the same there too.
 
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