[C320-list] Marvair Condensation Removal Kit

[Dave Hupe]

 Jeff-
Your link for the Sauermann condensate electric pump didn't work, but I think this is the pump you are referring to https://www.testequipmentdepot.com/sauermann/condensate-removal-pumps/mini-condensate-removal-pump/mini-condensate-removal-pump-si30120v.htm?ref=gbase&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0KXt55Sm6wIVTtbACh2lLwGWEAQYBCABEgLlDfD_BwE
I think you make some very good points.  My boat was set up by the previous owner with only a gravity drain out of the pan linked to a separate thru hull exiting the transom for the condensate and I am not confident about it working adequately. The drain hosing is not a nice direct avenue. So, I want to install a better condensate handling system.    
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32____________________________________________________________________________________________________

    On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 09:38:50 PM EDT, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:  
 
 Correction,  The unit itself didn't leak, it just didn't always remove
enough of the condensate while the pump was running to keep it from
splashing out of the pan when the cooling pump stopped. Maybe it was
defective, but whatever...  Our marina can rock the boat a lot...

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Jeff
Hare
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 9:34 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com; c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Marvair Condensation Removal Kit

We installed one and it really never worked as well as I'd hoped in our
boat. It leaked a lot which ran into the aft cabin and bilge.  Our bilge is
a dry bilge and this resulted in excess water collecting there.

One downside of that unit is that it only works when the pump is running.
When the pump stops, that's when a lot of the condensation runs off the
grills and fills the pan. If your boat is rocked too much during that time,
it'll spill out. For example, if the unit ever iced up and you shut it off,
the ice would thaw would likely overflow the pan since the Marvair only
works when the cooling pump is running.

What we purchased that has worked so well is the following unit. It is
really silent, vents through 1/4" plastic tubing (which we joined into the
cockpit drain with a "T" fitting).  There are some good videos on how this
unit is installed and works. There are other condensate pumps that are fully
marine rated. Another boat in our marina has an Aspen Pumps Mini Orange
installed which is very similar to the Sauermann one we installed. The
installation arrangement for the Sauermann just fit better in our setup
however.

https://www.partzstop.com/products/sauermann-si30ul01un12-universal-condensa
te-pump-ductless-120v

Again, I was super optimistic that the Marvair unit would have been a great
solution, but it really didn't work reliably for us.

The Sauermann pump has a small sump that fits right next to the drain and
you can mount the actual pump anywhere since it is self-priming with ~10'
head pressure. It has some control lines that are connected to a N/O and N/C
switch line from the sump that lets you control an LED or something else as
needed when the pump is running.  Haven't used that yet.

Those were my experiences but clearly the Marvair unit works in Warren's
boat!  Go Figure!

-Jeff 

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
Warren Updike
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 5:12 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Marvair Condensation Removal Kit

Mark, we and another 320 owner in our marina installed AC at the same time
although we put it in the port locker up against the salon bulkhead. We both
installed the MarvAir CR330 and can highly recommend this device. And this
was 6 more years ago. I feel confident that the CR330 would easily lift your
condensate enough to deposit in the outgoing cooling water discharge. We
have never had a problem with it, and the small strainer in the line has
never collected any detritus. I would attach to the cooling water discharge
as far from the thru-hull as possible to avoid any possibility of air
reaching the CR330 while the AC is running. That might break the vacuum
needed for the CR330 to operate.

Let us know how this goes,

Warren & Pattie Updike
C320 1994 #62 "Warr de Mar"
Middle River, MD (Chesapeake Bay)


---Original Message-----
From: mseyler at cox.net <mseyler at cox.net>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 3:33 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Marvair Condensation Removal Kit

I'm thinking about buying a Marvair CR330 condensation removal kit to remove
condensation from the air conditioning on my 320, but have run into a
potential problem with the way it would have to be installed.  The
condensation drain from the evaporator/air handler appears to be a few
inches lower than  the through-hull for the cooling water discharge from the
condenser/compressor unit. (Both units sit on a shelf above the fuel tank in
my starboard lazarette, but the discharge comes from the top of the
compressor and the condensate drains from the bottom of the air handler.)

 

Does anyone know whether the venturi in the Marvair CR330 generates enough
suction to lift the condensation a few inches to the discharge line?  I
looked at the installation guide on-line, but it doesn't directly address
the question.  And I tried e-mailing the manufacturer, but haven't received
any substantive response.  

 

So do any of you have any information based on your own experience?  Any
help would be appreciated.

 

Mark Seyler

S/V Reality, 

Catalina 320, #232

New Orleans, LA