No Water through Hull when heat is on

[Aaronpav2001]

All,
so I just put my boat back in the water and turned the heat on. Air is coming out but water is not coming out of the boat. I know a couple times after putting boat back in the water the it had to be primed. Basically spraying water into the exit port. Is this the best way to do this? Could it be something else? I have never had any issues with heat or AC and there is no debri in water this time of year to clog up intake.

The thermostat also says "PS Low". Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks all!

 

[Skybolt]

You can loosen the top of the strainer and bleed the air out. Sometimes that is easier or take the boat for a ride, which always works.

 

[Aaronpav2001]

Which strainer do you speak of? I appreciate the response

 

[dvx216]

The strainer that goes to you pump for the heater and AC. When you get the heater on the pump should be running. Make sure sea valve is open to the strainer it could be closed when it was winterized.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Try to remember to shut your seacocks off when the boat comes out of the water, this usually helps

 

[Skybolt]

Try to remember to shut your seacocks off when the boat comes out of the water, this usually helps

Curious why you say that? The seacock usually needs to be open to allow the water to drain so it doesn't freeze. I guess in warmer climates this would work as well.

 

[brewster16]

With ambient water temps being 40F or lower, this warning is indicating that the water temp is to low or your freon is low. Likely the former. As far as water flow, with the thermostat set high enough to warm your cabin, simply go in the bilge and check if your AC pump is in fact running. It should be because the system requires sea water to allow the heat exchanger to provide heat to the cabin air. The fact that you have air flow coming out of the vents has nothing to do with this as that is simply "fan" air.

 

[Aaronpav2001]

The error message PS Low kicked on while I was not at the boat. when I left the previous day it was too warm outside for the heat to kick on?

Could the system be damaged by not having water run through it? Or is there a safety shutdown when the error message populates? Thanks all!

 

[mrsrobinson]

Curious why you say that? The seacock usually needs to be open to allow the water to drain so it doesn't freeze. I guess in warmer climates this would work as well.

This is for warm weather hall outs only, not to winterize. To keep the systems primed.

 

[b_arrington]

The error message PS Low kicked on while I was not at the boat. when I left the previous day it was too warm outside for the heat to kick on?

Could the system be damaged by not having water run through it? Or is there a safety shutdown when the error message populates? Thanks all!

Generally these systems are self-protecting and will shut down the compressor when there is a fault, such as no water flow. When operating in AC mode, the fault for not enough water flow is PS High.

As @brewster16 said, PS Low (low pressure) fault indicates a couple things: a refrigerant leak, a defective low pressure switch or loose wire, a misconfigured system (jumper incorrected set when there is no low pressure switch), or the seawater temp is too low (heat mode) / return air temp is too low (cool mode).

Certainly check that your AC pump is running. The AC unit should activate the pump when it calls for heat/cool. You can prime by cracking open the lid to the strainer to let seawater flow in. If still now flow, it's possible you have some type of blockage in the hoses. Be sure to check the strainer to ensure it's clear.

 

[bbwhitejr]

With ambient water temps being 40F or lower, this warning is indicating that the water temp is to low or your freon is low. Likely the former. As far as water flow, with the thermostat set high enough to warm your cabin, simply go in the bilge and check if your AC pump is in fact running. It should be because the system requires sea water to allow the heat exchanger to provide heat to the cabin air. The fact that you have air flow coming out of the vents has nothing to do with this as that is simply "fan" air.

Water temp in Lake Lanier is currently setting at 51*. I doubt Lake Norman is much if any cooler.....unless you have changed the programming on your unit, as brewster16 says, the fan will run continuously whether the compressor is running or not. If you have lost prime, find the pump and if it is running with no water exiting the thru hull, you have lost prime. Easiest thing to do is go for a ride and you will prime the system that way....otherwise back feeding the system by putting a water hose to the thru hull works most times.

Bennett