AC System Maintenance

 

For those of us who enjoy our Rivs during our sultry Gulf Coast summers, an AC system that performs properly is imperative to our comfort and enjoyment. Typically, it is one of the few systems on board that must operate full-time regardless if our boat is underway or at the dock. Therefore the AC system will require regular care to operate and perform at its best. That item which requires the most attention in any AC system regardless if it is a Reverse Cycle System or a Chilled Water System will be the Raw Water Cooling Circuit. In general terms, this is the system that transfers raw water (sea water) from outside the boat into the AC system to cool AC compressors and then discharges the sea water used for cooling the compressors back out of the boat. The main components of the raw water cooling circuit are (in no particular order):

 

Through-hull fitting (below water line) – for sea water intake

 

Seacock – a ball-valve mechanism to open and close the through-hull intake

 

Sea water pump – pump used to move raw water through the cooling circuit

 

Sea water strainer – system used to capture and remove debris and large particles from the cooling water circuit

 

Manifold system – a system used to distribute cooling water to each individual compressor

 

Through-hull fitting (above water line) – for sea water discharge

 

The components of the raw water circuit are connected via reinforced synthetic rubber hoses and fastened to each component with stainless steel hose clamps (preferably two at each connection).

 

Why does the raw water cooling circuit need regular inspection and maintenance? Marine growth can be considered excessive on the Gulf Coast relative to other boating locales. Marine growth is at its highest in the summer when the water is warm (when we utilize the AC system the most). Additionally, current and water movement exacerbate marine growth such as barnacles, sugar corals, and algae. Considering the cooling water circuit is “moving” water through the system, the system becomes an ideal place for marine growth to occur. Therefore marine growth when unchecked can clog the circuit making it difficult or impossible for cooling water to reach the compressors. If this does occur, one or all AC systems will shut down and the offending AC control pad typically will report an error code in which we can refer to the owner’s manual to check the code.  Further evidence of a clogged cooling water circuit would be less than normal water flow from the cooling water discharge (please refer to your Riviera/Belize owner’s manual for the location of the sea water discharge).

 

How do we prevent the raw water cooling circuit from getting clogged? Luckily for us Riviera owners and enthusiast, these components are relatively easy to access and inspect. Typically, the system should be inspected monthly. In the heat of summer or when the system is being utilized at its highest capacity the system should be checked on shorter cycles. Service technicians will typically clean the strainers, inspect the raw water pump and hoses for any leaks, and exercise the seacocks. At least annually (sometimes shorter intervals for boats in high marine growth areas) we will need to service the complete cooling water circuit. At this time technicians will flush the complete system with a solution to remove growth from the components.   

 

Other items within the AC system that should receive regular monthly inspection include air filters, condensate drip pans and condensate drain lines. You can refer to owner’s manuals for more thorough information on the location and service of these items as it pertains to each Riviera or Belize model. At a minimum an annual inspection should be completed for the entire AC system to include air handlers, compressors, and the cooling circuit to keep your system providing comfort for years to come! For more information or if we can be of assistance in providing further details please feel free to contact us.