Forward AC drain on 4600 SCB

[Frenchie]

Im about to reroute the forward AC drain that discharges into the bilge. I'm taking it to the shower sump. Anyone have any experience, heads up etc on this before I drill more holes?
Thanks

[ss3964spd]

Are you referring to the condensate drain? I'd be a little concerned about the duty cycle of the shower sump, and isn't the shower sump on a manual switch? What if the shower sump gets clogged with hair, sand, etc?

[seapuppy]

nope....most of the newer shower sumps are on a float switch....seems it should work fine....expect to hear your sump cycle every now and then to remove the water...actually that's a pretty good idea....

if the sump gets clogged with hair etc...you need to clean it out every now and again......not hard...just hanging upside down to get to the sump isn't fun....

SP

[shrew]

I was thinking about installing a dedicated condensation sump similar to what is installed on your home HVAC. It has an internal float as well. If you think about it, your AC only runs on 120V, as does these condensation pumps. I was going to mount mine in the forward bilge area and discharge overboard. I haven't done it yet.

[ss3964spd]

How about if the shower is in use and the sump has a certain amount of water already in it - will the AC be able to drain into it or will the water back up in the drain line back to the AC unit?

[seapuppy]

the shower sump cycles as the switch lifts ...so..if water is coming into the sump from 2 sources....you might need to stick a larger pump motor in there.....that's about all that would be required...


SP

[William Ferrell]

I have a 37 scr and my forward ac unit is connected to the sump pump for the main ac unit when they both go over board but the shower sump pump should work just fine use the one easier to get to

[Frenchie]

I considered putting a dedicated sump up forward but I there isnt much space and i don't want to pull the interior apart & then install a thru hull fitting. It is something to think about a bit more.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by ss3964spd

How about if the shower is in use and the sump has a certain amount of water already in it - will the AC be able to drain into it or will the water back up in the drain line back to the AC unit?

A check valve should handle this. However a check valve in the shower drain will more than likely get partially clogged open. The potential for backflow is exactly why I was considering installing a second sump in the forward cabin. Now what I'm considering is whether I can tie it into the elctrical circuit of the AC, or whether I need to run a dedicated circuit, or even if I can tie it into a existing electrical outlet circuit. Technically, I don't want to power the the sump unless the AC is specifically on.

[seapuppy]

well..the sump would be 12vdc...so...your going to have to pull it from one of the spare switches up on the dash or from one of the buss bars .....check by using a Vohm meter...

SP

[Frenchie]

I figure send it to the shower sump. AC condensate is clean, if the sump is working when you dock there is nothing to clog it up. Worst case is it ends up in the bilge where it goes now.

[brianwill]

On my 1999 I was able to run the drain line thru the bottom of the bilge to the shower sump - no holes drilled.