420/44 DB Owners Club

Upgraded electronics and installed underwater lights this off season amongst other upgrades. However why am I most giddy about the fact I just today, after 3 seasons, fixed the holding tank level sensors!
 
Hi, does anyone know the size of the speakers in the ceiling of the salon? About to bid on some and not sure of the size. Thanks
 
Has anybody figured out an easy way to flush the AC system. I have an 07 model and believe I have a barnacle build up in the lines and/or ac coils. Especially the forward or stateroom AC. My thinking now is to find a way to sort of wedge two hoses into the discharge ports and create some kind of low pressure seal for recirculation of an acidic solution. Unfortunately the seals at the discharge ports that I have in mind may not work and if they do will require 3 people to perform this task. Hoping somebody here has a better idea.
 
Has anybody figured out an easy way to flush the AC system. I have an 07 model and believe I have a barnacle build up in the lines and/or ac coils. Especially the forward or stateroom AC. My thinking now is to find a way to sort of wedge two hoses into the discharge ports and create some kind of low pressure seal for recirculation of an acidic solution. Unfortunately the seals at the discharge ports that I have in mind may not work and if they do will require 3 people to perform this task. Hoping somebody here has a better idea.
Are the A/C units going off on high pressure cutout ?
Do you have a poor water circulation
 
Has anybody figured out an easy way to flush the AC system. I have an 07 model and believe I have a barnacle build up in the lines and/or ac coils. Especially the forward or stateroom AC. My thinking now is to find a way to sort of wedge two hoses into the discharge ports and create some kind of low pressure seal for recirculation of an acidic solution. Unfortunately the seals at the discharge ports that I have in mind may not work and if they do will require 3 people to perform this task. Hoping somebody here has a better idea.
I built a flush kit to use on the 44 from the plumbing isle at Home Depot. I ran a return hose thru the cabin back to the engine hatch for the forward unit and put a quick disconnect splice in the overboard hose for the salon unit just above the isolator transformer. I used a mixture of muriatic acid and circulated for about ten minutes and was amazed at the debris that was cleaned out. Just remove the 'out' line from the heat exchanger on the forward unit and clamp a hose to it to run back thru the cabin. Use a long enough hose to not need a junction to avoid a possibility of a leak in the cabin. It is a one man job this way.
Cheers
Carpe Diem
 
Has anybody figured out an easy way to flush the AC system. I have an 07 model and believe I have a barnacle build up in the lines and/or ac coils. Especially the forward or stateroom AC. My thinking now is to find a way to sort of wedge two hoses into the discharge ports and create some kind of low pressure seal for recirculation of an acidic solution. Unfortunately the seals at the discharge ports that I have in mind may not work and if they do will require 3 people to perform this task. Hoping somebody here has a better idea.

I have 3 units (Salon, State Rooms and the bridge). I routed bridge AC discharge right next to the salon discharge. So those two are very easy to reach for creating circulation. I just stuck a 5/8" hose with couple rounds of electric tape and it worked very well.

State rooms is the more involved one, so I can offer two options (assuming the boat is in the water):
1. Blow the line with air compressor to clear remaining water. Run the acid solution until you see it dripping out of the discharge. Let is sit for an hour, then flush with city water.
2. Disconnect the discharge side from the AC unit and run it back to the bucket. The short run between the unit and the discharge can easily be flushed with city water.

Both options require one person, but obviously it'll help having an extra person alerting you when solution is coming out of the discharge.
 
I have 3 units (Salon, State Rooms and the bridge). I routed bridge AC discharge right next to the salon discharge. So those two are very easy to reach for creating circulation. I just stuck a 5/8" hose with couple rounds of electric tape and it worked very well.

State rooms is the more involved one, so I can offer two options (assuming the boat is in the water):
1. Blow the line with air compressor to clear remaining water. Run the acid solution until you see it dripping out of the discharge. Let is sit for an hour, then flush with city water.
2. Disconnect the discharge side from the AC unit and run it back to the bucket. The short run between the unit and the discharge can easily be flushed with city water.

Both options require one person, but obviously it'll help having an extra person alerting you when solution is coming out of the discharge.
I didn't even read your post yet man! Where the hell have you been? Welcome back.
 
Has anybody figured out an easy way to flush the AC system. I have an 07 model and believe I have a barnacle build up in the lines and/or ac coils. Especially the forward or stateroom AC. My thinking now is to find a way to sort of wedge two hoses into the discharge ports and create some kind of low pressure seal for recirculation of an acidic solution. Unfortunately the seals at the discharge ports that I have in mind may not work and if they do will require 3 people to perform this task. Hoping somebody here has a better idea.


Like others, I made my own system. Basically created a closed loop from the discharge side of the AC's and ran a hose back to 5 gallon bucket in the bilge positioned near AC water circulation pump. I removed the hose from the intake side of the pump and ran a "jumper hose" to the same bucket which I filled with Barnacle Buster (BB). Once all was set up I turn the AC pump on and using a hose with freshwater, prime the pump (kind of like a pool filter). Once primed and all the air is out I quickly place the intake hose into the nearby bucket filled with BB. End result is continuous circulation "closed loop" of Barnacle buster through the system/AC. Ever so often I would shut pump down and let sit for 10-15 minutes making sure I don't lose the prime. The crud that came out into the bucket was unbelievable and the contents of the bucket quickly turned black the first time I did this. I immediately did it a second time with fresh BB and it eventually cleared to something acceptable. Same process applies for my other AC unit. I now do this process ever other year. BB is a lot safer that using acid approach - which probably works better - but is a bit scary to work with. The fittings and hose I used were all purchased at a local hardware store. Took a little time to get the set-up right but now it's a piece of cake. Very easy to do and well worth the effort. Before I button the forward AC up I will usually will blow some BB into that line to clean it as well. I used a small garden sprayer and do it a few time before flushing.
 
Hi, does anyone know the size of the speakers in the ceiling of the salon? About to bid on some and not sure of the size. Thanks
I’m pretty sure 6.5”. You could always measure one to be sure.
 
Has anybody figured out an easy way to flush the AC system. I have an 07 model and believe I have a barnacle build up in the lines and/or ac coils. Especially the forward or stateroom AC. My thinking now is to find a way to sort of wedge two hoses into the discharge ports and create some kind of low pressure seal for recirculation of an acidic solution. Unfortunately the seals at the discharge ports that I have in mind may not work and if they do will require 3 people to perform this task. Hoping somebody here has a better idea.
A few months ago I got a few gallons of barnacle buster and went to big box stores for fittings and used garden hoses to create a closed loop to flush each engine, generator, and both ac units. Amazing how yuck the recirculated solution got.
For your ac’s, I disconnected the water discharge on the ac and connected my hose which went back to the bucket. I connected another hose with barbed fitting to the water line I disconnected from the ac pump, and connected that to a sump pump I already had which I put into the bucket with the barnacle buster solution. Circulated it for about two hours for each component, always starting with a fresh bucket of barnacle buster.
 
Looking forward to your feedback.
I got my boat back in the water yesterday and brought her home. I tried using the trim tabs while at cruise speed and I had no problem burying the bow. I tried going up and down several times while at cruise speed so they had to work against the water pressure and so far each time I was able to really dig the bow in. Next month will really tell as we head to Bahamas with much more weight. Hopefully they continue working well.
I did notice using less tabs at cruise which is what I was hoping for as I feel that is more efficient.
I also need to add a little fluid to reservoir as I want to get it close to 3/4 full mark.
 
I didn't even read your post yet man! Where the hell have you been? Welcome back.

Hey Mitch,

All good, just been super busy and have limited time to be an active participant. Trying to change that, though.
 
I thought I should share this picture with the group. Beautiful boats!
F5DCDF31-4592-4573-A143-22A91F4E7C06.jpeg
 
Had some fun while at anchor this morning...

All of a sudden the high water alarms started sounding. Looked in the sump hatch and it had 6 inches of water in it. Got it vacuumed out and then turned the water pump back on. Hot water was gushing into the bilge. Reached in under the guest vanity and the hoses were wet. I figured the shower valve was the culprit. Zipped home...we were on our first stop for a 2 ish week trip around the San Juans.

Sea Ray Shower Valve.jpg


Again, sorry for the rotated picture...

The orange tape is to hold up the end of the hose.

So, should I cut the end of the pex to get clean material (not stretched out) and use 2 small clamps in place of the one large one?

Glad is was not an expensive problem!!

Thanks!

Edit: Here is the repair...

Shower Line Fix.jpg

I got the brass 1/2 in Barb x 1/2 inch FNPT at West Marine. I found it online at Home Depot but we were at West Marine for some other things. They matched the price. I did end up at Home Depot so I got another one to have as a spare if another connection fails.

Over and Out!
 
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If you have the extra material, always best to cut off the end and start over with virgin material. Otherwise I would heat up while clamping. Good luck and hope the rest of the trip goes smoother for you.
CD
 
Thanks CD!

Mark says the barb is smaller than the hose. Strange. I was going to wrap it with some rescue tape. But, I do not want to have a surface that the hose can slip off of.
 
Like others, I made my own system. Basically created a closed loop from the discharge side of the AC's and ran a hose back to 5 gallon bucket in the bilge positioned near AC water circulation pump. I removed the hose from the intake side of the pump and ran a "jumper hose" to the same bucket which I filled with Barnacle Buster (BB). Once all was set up I turn the AC pump on and using a hose with freshwater, prime the pump (kind of like a pool filter). Once primed and all the air is out I quickly place the intake hose into the nearby bucket filled with BB. End result is continuous circulation "closed loop" of Barnacle buster through the system/AC. Ever so often I would shut pump down and let sit for 10-15 minutes making sure I don't lose the prime. The crud that came out into the bucket was unbelievable and the contents of the bucket quickly turned black the first time I did this. I immediately did it a second time with fresh BB and it eventually cleared to something acceptable. Same process applies for my other AC unit. I now do this process ever other year. BB is a lot safer that using acid approach - which probably works better - but is a bit scary to work with. The fittings and hose I used were all purchased at a local hardware store. Took a little time to get the set-up right but now it's a piece of cake. Very easy to do and well worth the effort. Before I button the forward AC up I will usually will blow some BB into that line to clean it as well. I used a small garden sprayer and do it a few time before flushing.
Thank you for all the responses with excellent advice. I used this method as it didnt require a seperate pump. Seemed to work very well.
 
I installed some 6 inch gas struts that fit and work perfect for the lift up side cabinet doors in the front stateroom if you have not already done this it is
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FVGH8L7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
This goes back to mid-April - I ordered these and went to install today. The instructions on the package show to mount the cabinet ball 255mm (10") below the top of the cabinet ... my cabinets are only 8" high! Am I mis-reading the instructions or maybe your cabinets are higher than mine?

here is a link to the 6 inch struts I used
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FVGH8L7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
 
Thinking about adding louvered vents to the bottom of the door on the guest stateroom. When the door is closed and the ac is on that room is still warm because there is no return for air in that room. Has anyone else done this? Nervous about cutting into that door as i don't down if it will compromise the integrity. It does feel as if its solid all the way through so thinking it would hold up. Thoughts?

Edit: Something similar to this
vent.jpg
 
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