[C320-list] Through hull for new AC unit

[Jack Brennan]

Thanks, Onat and everyone else 

That’s good advice.  I’m trying to understand all of the issues before I commit to anything. There’s nothing worse than doing a project and having someone say, “Oh no, you really didn’t do that, did you?”

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.




Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Onat Dogruer
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 5:37 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Through hull for new AC unit

Hi all,

Happy to share my perspective as a fellow 1998 Catalina 320 owner and ABYC
certified technician.  In theory you can tee the engine intake as long as
the engine and the A/C doesn't run at the same time -with a proper Y valve
that seals perfectly. The critical issue here is the volume of water
traveling and in absence of enough water -- as others mention -- there is
the likelihood of air entering the system. A 3/4" engine seacock will not
yield enough water for the engine and A/C at the same time.  Both A/C pumps
and engine pumps are centrifugal, designed to run flooded only, meaning
they cannot run dry or handle air blockage. That's why these pumps need to
be installed below the water level. It's okay to do it if you have a large
seacock with enough volume and appropriately-sized manifolds.  Typically we
don't run these A/Cs continuously like larger yachts. Professionally, when
I do A/C installations onboard our size sailboats, I do install a separate
seacock, and that is what I recommend. It's a neater set-up and easier to
troubleshoot.

Jack, feel free to message me if I can be of further assistance -- happy to
help.

Best,
Onat Dogruer
1998, #546

Archer Power Solutions
odogruer at archerpowersolutions.com
https://www.archerpowersolutions.com/


On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 12:28 PM Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
wrote:

> I probably won’t do it because I need to haul out in the fall or early
> winter for a bottom job and can get the through hull installed then.
>
> But what I was wondering about was a Y valve at the engine intake through
> hull. Considering I wouldn’t use AC underway, the flow could be shifted to
> one direction the AC and the other for motoring.
>
> The biggest danger, I suppose, would be forgetfulness. But sometimes there
> are other downsides you don’t discover until you implement your “great”
> idea.
>
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Doug Treff
> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 11:55 AM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Through hull for new AC unit
>
> Now that I think about it, you definitely should not tee off the engine
> through-hull because the suction of the engine pump could pull air through
> the AC water line and cause your engine to overheat.
>
> --
> Doug Treff
> doug at treff.us
>
> On Mon, Jun 21, 2021, at 11:33 AM, Jack Brennan wrote:
> > Hello all:
> >
> > We’re thinking about installing a self-contained AC unit in the fall. I
> > have a question about the through hull that is needed.
> >
> > Can I tee off the engine through hull, or does proper installation
> > require a new one in the port locker?
> >
> > Jack Brennan
> > Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> > Tierra Verde, Fl.
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> >
> >
>
>