Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

[Restless1002]

Hello, just purchased a 1998 Silverton 310 EC. A/C was working well during sea trial. Transported to home port and when i turned it on I am receiving a warning code ("hhh") on the a/c control. The manual states this warning code indicates water is not reaching the unit. Had a couple buddies check the system with me, seacock is open, strainer is clean, pump is primed. No other valves sighted between pump operation and the actual a/c unit. We disconnected the intake hose to the unit and sure enough, no water in the hose. Not sure what the problem is - any trouble shooting information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

you may have to either pull the boat out or put on a snorkle. you may have something plugged in the line. do you have water to the strainer?

my first thought was a plugged heat exchanger, however if you pulled the intake line and there is no water, you just need to follow the plumbing back to and thru the seacock.

 

[Restless1002]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

thank you for responding - yes,there is water to the strainer.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

Is the pump running. Can you put a garden hose in the condenser "side" of the hose after the pump and try to get water thu the unit. It easy to tell if there is no water. There is a discharge that is plainly visible coming out of the hull above the water line. No discharge no water.

Did the impeller go bad in the pump.
Strainer is clean. Bypass the strainer to make sure its not leaking air.

 

[Restless1002]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

I will try all you suggested - thank you for the inormation, I'll let you know after this weekend.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

I sent you a PM

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

in addition to checking the pump, make sure the heat exchanger is not fouled

 

[Restless1002]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

Ok, I'll check that as well. Thanks again, I appreciate all the advise. a little frustrating since it was pumping out cool air perfectly and wasn't in use until I dropped it back in the water two weeks later.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

Remove the discharge hose from the condenser coil and put a garden hose to it and backflush the incoming waterline. Then kick on the water pump (to the AC) and see if you're getting water up to the unit. That will at least tell you if any blockages are on the incoming or outgoing side of the AC.

 

[VerBoatin]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

Hello Everyone
Thanks for the discussion on the A/C units and not pumping water. Mine is doing exactly that. It was working fine, then had it out on the 4th of July and tried to turn on the A/C using the generator. No water pumping out of the hull. I couldn't hear or feel it when the boat was underway but I tried it one more time in the slip with 110V shore power connected and there is a vibration in the cabin floor when I turn on the water pump or try to run the AC. I turned it off immediately and am assuming something is clogging the intake or hoses or I need a new pump. If a new pump is needed, can anyone tell me the degree of difficulty involved? I assume I will be lifting the carpet and accessing the pump via the inspection board in the floor center...would this be correct? I also saw the thread from one participant on checking the water circulation at the unit and blowing water back through the system...possibly to clean out an obstruction in the hose or intake itself, etc? That was a helpful tip, thank you! Any tips, advice, recommendations or warnings are greatly appreciated! VB

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

You'd be best to start a new thread and get fresh input. Explain your problem very clearly and we'll the best we can to answer.

 

[VerBoatin]

Re: Air conditioning not operating - no water to unit

Thanks much for your recommendation to start a new thread. I've done that and will wait for replies from that one. Thanks again...VB