Boating is all about getting out in the open and enjoying the fresh air. But for those who regularly overnight aboard in the warmer climate, having an air conditioner on the boat becomes a necessity. That said- marine AC's maintenance doesn't always cross people's minds until they stop working altogether. In this blog, we'll tell you how you can keep your pumps for marine air conditioners in top-notch condition with these easy maintenance tips.
- Keep a regular check on the cooling water intake strainer
The strainer separates the unit's pump and the raw water intake seacock. Turn off the seacock, then access and check if the strainer basket is free of growth and debris. Open the seacock temporarily after removing the strainer basket to make sure nothing is clogged in front of the strainer. Additionally, you should carefully inspect the strainer basket for any damage. Keep spares for later since the continuous flow of water in many A/C strainers can quickly erode the fine, stainless steel mesh baskets.
- Inspect the condition of all hose runs and connections
Start at the seacock and work your way up to the air conditioning unit, pump, strainer, seacock, and overboard discharge through the hull. Check for problems, including leaks, chafing, collapsed hoses, rusted or broken hose clamps, and hoses exhibiting age or degradation (cracks or swelling at the hose clamps). When there is enough hose barb to permit it, seawater cooling hoses should also be double-clamped.
- Switch off the AC when you're not on board
While hose failure is never ideal, it can be especially harmful to owners who grow accustomed to leaving their air conditioning on all the time when they're not there. A yacht can be quickly sunk by the constant pumping of seawater in the event that a raw water cooling hose breaks while no one is on board. A less dramatic reason not to run your air conditioning nonstop is that your cooling system becomes a haven for a variety of marine creatures, thanks to the oxygenated seawater created by this continuous flow.
- Flush the condenser coils from time to time
The accumulation of scale on the condenser coils might impede the flow of water. Every two to five years, depending on the location of the boat and how frequently the air conditioning is used, the coils should be flushed with a mild solution of biodegradable acid to get rid of both scale and marine development. If the system is clogged, you can also try back-flushing it with a dock or pressure water.
- Clean the air filters
An air conditioner requires a lot of airflow in addition to cooling water in order to function correctly. To keep dust and debris out of your air conditioning machine, it's essential to have high-quality, correctly installed air filters. The majority of systems have two air filters: one at the evaporator unit and one behind the return air grill. According to the owner's manual, air filters should be cleaned once a month. This usually involves vacuuming or removing the filter and washing it with simple water. Then, it should be allowed to completely dry before reinstalling.
Next step
If the marine air conditioner seems to be beyond maintenance or repair, then it's time you reach out to Marine Pump Solutions for the best air conditioner pumps. Visit https://www.marinepumpsolutions.com/ to place an order now.