dirty intake screen on ac unit 370 Sea Ray Sundancer

[Tom wieland]

once again its time to winterize my favorite hobby and once again i'm struggling to get all the dirt,etc. out of the system! I rigged up a hose to flush it out which works but the amount of dirt etc that comes out is amazing. has anyone installed an external strainer on the bottom of the boat for the ac unit. is there a better way to help keep it cleaner?

 

[dmorris800]

once again its time to winterize my favorite hobby and once again i'm struggling to get all the dirt,etc. out of the system! I rigged up a hose to flush it out which works but the amount of dirt etc that comes out is amazing. has anyone installed an external strainer on the bottom of the boat for the ac unit. is there a better way to help keep it cleaner?

I bought a cap for the Groco filter at west marine and flush the AC system with hose/fresh water twice a year. Amazing what comes out.

 

[Skybolt]

The external strainer your looking for is called a south bay strainer. But that isn't gong to help keep the inside strainer or the system clean. That is just normal as the marine growth occurs in moving water. You need to use barnacle buster on the system at least once a year, sometimes twice.

Other may disagree, but I use 1" tab chlorine tab's in the strainer every week or so. That works wonders.

 

[Stray Current]

The external strainer your looking for is called a south bat strainer. But that isn't gong to help keep the inside strainer or the system clean. That is just normal as the marine growth occurs in moving water. You need to use barnacle buster on the system at least once a year, sometimes twice.

Other may disagree, but I use 1" tab chlorine tab's in the strainer every week or so. That works wonders.

barnacle buster twice a year down here for sure. I’ve been using 1” bromine tablets weekly. Seems to help and supposedly easier on the components

 

[Tom wieland]

need to add the clorine tablets more often for sure.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Other may disagree, but I use 1" tab chlorine tab's in the strainer every week or so. That works wonders.

What about Bromine tabs? A few years ago there was a discussion about that in lieu of Chlorine.

Jaybeaux

 

[Skybolt]

What about Bromine tabs? A few years ago there was a discussion about that in lieu of Chlorine.

Jaybeaux

Yeah, I always think of that when I post about the Chlorine tabs. But I guess they would work just fine. I have had great luck with chlorine though, so why switch.

 

[Jaybeaux]

It was something about the chlorine eating up the strainer basket?

 

[Skybolt]

It was something about the chlorine eating up the strainer basket?

I have plastic baskets so no worries there. But chlorine will corrode SS and regular Steel. Most AC units are copper so I keep using the tabs.

 

[techmitch]

I have plastic baskets so no worries there. But chlorine will corrode SS and regular Steel. Most AC units are copper so I keep using the tabs.

If I remember correctly, it had to do with the effects that the chlorine had on solder joint connections throughout the system???

 

[BlueYonder]

Chlorine is corrosive and the fumes are poisonous. Bromine tabs work just as well and are far less dangerous.

 

[Shaps]

I use bromine for just those reasons. Much less corrosive and equally effective. Chlorine tabs definitely eat the strainer baskets... trust me

 

[Skybolt]

Yep, chlorine gas will burn your lungs, even kill you. But it is no more dangerous then the old school chlorinator for your pool. And yes, as I mentioned, it will corrode Steel and SS and that's why my strainer basket is plastic.

Chlorine tabs are much stronger then bromine and if you forget to pop them in for a while, will actually kill what's there and possibly overt having to barnacle bust at that time.

Not trying to change anyone's mind, just stating what I do.