420AC: Salon A/C condensation pan runneth over ....

[jeffsuwanee]

Hey guys...

I haven't had any experience with the cruise-air A/C units so far, because they have all functioned well. But I noticed a forward bilge pump go off the other day and when I lifted the hatch in the galley, I noticed standing water in that compartment. It was not coming from the sump, located nearby, but rather from a noticeable drip coming from the area where the salon A/C unit lives. When I opened the hatch to that unit, I noticed that the condensation pan was not only full, but leaking over. So, I have found the water culprit. What might cause this? Is there a hose somewhere on the drip pan that is supposed to ferry the water down to the sump? I've looked everywhere I had clear visibility, but saw nothing. I have to believe that something is blocked somewhere....opinions appreciated, thanks in advance....

Jeff

 

[Hampton]

Yes, that is normally how they work. To verify, find the forward sump that receives the water from the forward shower and pumps it overboard. There should be lines going into that box with labels. Find the forward A/C line. You may be able to clear it from that end with light - moderate air pressure (don't overdo it!). If not, at least you'll know what the line looks like so when you go back to the cruise air unit you'll recognize it. If there isn't one, consider adding it in, but, if this boat is not new to you, and you haven't had this issue before, there likely is a drain line.

 

[jeffsuwanee]

I know the hose that comes from the A/C unit to the sump, it is clearly marked at the sump box. Am I understanding right that that hose is not coming directly off the cruise-air itself, but actually the condensation pan somewhere? If that is the case, and the hose wasn't corrugated, I could run a thin piece of flex tubing back up through the hose to clear the debris, but I always seem to get bogged up somewhere, when I try that maneuver

 

[Hampton]

I know the hose that comes from the A/C unit to the sump, it is clearly marked at the sump box. Am I understanding right that that hose is not coming directly off the cruise-air itself, but actually the condensation pan somewhere? If that is the case, and the hose wasn't corrugated, I could run a thin piece of flex tubing back up through the hose to clear the debris, but I always seem to get bogged up somewhere, when I try that maneuver

Yes, that's the one. I bet the corrugated part is just a protective outer sheath, right? The actually hose should be inside that part, right? You might try to disconnect it and perhaps even blow through it. There isn't much pressure at all to pack the dust inside that is likely clogging it. You may be able to blow it out.

 

[dothanfrogman@gmail.com]

If you can get to the drain pan a cap full of bleach every month will work wonders.

 

[Hampton]

If you can get to the drain pan a cap full of bleach every month will work wonders.

Don't let the bleach sit in the sump - it degrades plastic parts and rubber seals pretty quickly.

 

[dothanfrogman@gmail.com]

Agreed.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Try hooking a wet/dry vacumn at the sump end. that will suck any trash through. We do it all the time when cleaning the sump, in fact you should do all the line coming in to the sump.

 

[jeffsuwanee]

ok...thank you all for chiming in. At this point, knowing that the hose that goes from the sump up to the A/C unit only actually goes to the drain pan, I think I moght try to jostle up the clog with a thin flex tube, followed by the wetvac idea. Thanks again.