petem
Well-Known Member
We have a "Fisherman's Strainer" type of raw water filter for our A/C. Can someone tell me how frequently these need to be inspected and unblocked (boat is in the Med - Sant Carles)?
A/C Raw Water filters
- Thread starter petem
- Start date
jimmy_the_builder
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't you just do this when you get a hpf warning on the ac?
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
If there is a flow issue or when we clean the air intake, probably twice a year.
petem
Well-Known Member
I'm happy to wait for an HPF warning, but was just wondering if anyone made preventative checks. After a fortnights use, my partner has experienced an HPF error. It was on his last morning so he didn't get a chance to check the filter which I suspect it slightly blocked and is restricting flow.
I guess the rate of blocking is entirely dependent on the marina water. Knowing Santa Carles, I'll have a little muscle farm in there!
jrudge
Well-Known Member
I do all filters at once.
When I see gen or engine with weed I do the lot. Engines gen ac water maker etc.
Not perfect comparison as ac runs in the marina etc but it seems to work and once I am there with a spanner and some helpful sole to rinse the filters out on the dock the whole lot takes maybe 10 mins.
Whilst you are at it don’t forget the ac air filters as they get full of dust and can have just as much impact as a partially clogged water inlet on cooling.
When I see gen or engine with weed I do the lot. Engines gen ac water maker etc.
Not perfect comparison as ac runs in the marina etc but it seems to work and once I am there with a spanner and some helpful sole to rinse the filters out on the dock the whole lot takes maybe 10 mins.
Whilst you are at it don’t forget the ac air filters as they get full of dust and can have just as much impact as a partially clogged water inlet on cooling.
superheat6k
Well-Known Member
I would suggest waiting for an HP fault to alert you to a blocked strainer broadly equates to waiting to put oil in your car engine until the oil pressure light comes on, by which time you are already starving the bearings of adequate oil flow. Does anyone actually drive their car like that ?
By the time the HP trip operates you are at the top limit, placing maximum strain on the compressor, parts and condenser pipework is exposed to maximum pressure. The HP trip is a safety rather than a routine shut down.
Thus my suggestion would be to check and clean the strainer more frequently. However, an active clue will be provided by the condenser water outlet temperature. A simple fish tank stat with a simple light would tell you when the temperature is becoming excessive, indicating insufficient flow. What is excessive - say clean strainer,water outlet temp, plus say 5 or possibly 10oC, the precise temp would be established by experimentation of course.
Jrudge has a good point on keeping the internal air filters clean, but these becoming blocked is actually reducing load on the system. Less air is passing thus less air to cool.
By the time the HP trip operates you are at the top limit, placing maximum strain on the compressor, parts and condenser pipework is exposed to maximum pressure. The HP trip is a safety rather than a routine shut down.
Thus my suggestion would be to check and clean the strainer more frequently. However, an active clue will be provided by the condenser water outlet temperature. A simple fish tank stat with a simple light would tell you when the temperature is becoming excessive, indicating insufficient flow. What is excessive - say clean strainer,water outlet temp, plus say 5 or possibly 10oC, the precise temp would be established by experimentation of course.
Jrudge has a good point on keeping the internal air filters clean, but these becoming blocked is actually reducing load on the system. Less air is passing thus less air to cool.
Last edited:
kashurst
Well-Known Member
only time I ever had air-con cooling problems is when there are lots of jelly fish floating about - they get sucked into the filter.
However I only use the air-con when the boat is anchored or moored up.
I wouldn't worry too much about it
However I only use the air-con when the boat is anchored or moored up.
I wouldn't worry too much about it