[C320-list] a/c winterizing

[Rick Sulewski]

Regarding the a/C winterizing:  I was told by the technician who installed
by A/C Heat unit to simply disconnect the exit line and blow out the water
until the water clears from the A/C unit and all of the lines exiting out
the intake or the line attached to the thru hull if the boat remains in the
water. Next, remove the A/C strainer/filer to remove the water and then pour
some antifreeze into the exit line and blow the antifreeze through the unit
to purge any remaining water and to ensure that the water is displaced. I
repeat this reverse antifreeze procedure to ensure that there is ample
antifreeze in the A/C unit and the pump. Seeing the strong color of the
antifreeze in the strainer is an indication the process was successful.

I completed this task for several years without problems when I start up the
unit in the spring.

Re engine winterization: I have learned that I only need 2 gallons of
antifreeze when I disconnect the intake line and place it in a bucket of
-100 degree antifreeze and pump the bucket dry having to run the engine for
only about 45 seconds...again successful over the years with no issues in
the spring

Rick
'
My-Ria 277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jamie Pett
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 10:19 PM
To: C320-list at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] a/c winterizing

Dreading the prospect of winter, I am nevertheless facing the task of
getting Bella Luna ready for the hard after our first amazing season with
her. 
 
I have a copy of Carl's very nice article on winterizing the c-320.  It has
been very helpful and I am working my way through winterizing - got the
water system done last weekend.  The tips on draining the hw heater by
releasing the pressure valve were very useful (amazed at how much water was
still in there), but his paper does not say anything about winterizing a
reverse cycle a/c heat unit.  
 
I thought I would simply close the thru-hull intake, open the strainer, and
add pink stuff with the unit running until it comes out the outlet - can
anyone add suggestions ? 
 
I also read somewhere that if you put the unit on fan only the compressor
won't run, but don't know why that matters ?  Do I need to do anything else
with the A/c compressor ? (or the Alder Barbour fridge?)
 
Also, on the engine - what is the best method for getting the pink stuff
into the system  - my strainer for the engine is inverted, so I guess I can
pull the intake hose and use it to pulll the antifreeze, but it seems awful
short to try to suck pink stuff out of a gallon jug , and switching jugs
mid-job seems difficult as well ? Any suggestions ? 
 
Jamie Pett
'Bella Luna' #614