A/C Condensate in bilge

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CyndiVH
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Joined: 6/15/17
Posts: 10
A/C Condensate in bilge

Happy Fall Mateys!

Happy to finally have a dry bilge because it's cool enough to turn OFF the A/C here in the Chesapeake Bay....

One thing about our A/C set up that has me miffed is that the condensate from the two units both drain into the bilge. We NEVER have a dry bilge as a result. It can really get stinky and stagnant at times.

We've puzzled through the options of how to handle the challenge but hubby has concerns about how to get the fluid into an alternate drainage system since the condensate hoses are currently LOWER than alternate options than the bilge. Our fore unit is installled like many others, in the starboard side tilt out drawer under the v-berth. The condensate for that is just under the v and flows down into the main bilge.

The second unit is in the hanging locker in the aft berth and the hose runs into the bilge just below the galley sink. 

Has anyone successfully figured out how to drain the condensate OUT without allowing it to fill the bilge? 
There were several threads from a few years ago where Hal Baker and I believe Les Troyer were discussing their condensate situations. One had a pump that had been installed by a PO but that was ineffective and subsequently removed. 

Is a bilge filled with water just a necessary evil of the necessary blessing of A/C?

Thinking this is a GOOD time to figure out an alternative while the A/C is not needed but it's still warm enough to hang around on the boat!

Cyndi

Cyndi Van Herpe
s/v Slip Away
1995 Catalina 36 Mk II
Hull 1443
Deltaville, Virginia

dpower
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Joined: 6/20/08
Posts: 231
Our system uses a "condensator" which sucks the condensation water from the pan under the AC and discharges it through the thru hull used for the AC water. If operated and maintained properly, it keeps our bilge completely dry. There may be several types, but ours is a Mermaid unit.

David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL

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William Matley
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Joined: 1/15/08
Posts: 166

Cindy,

I don't have a suggestion as to removing your bilge water but if you buy a bottle of the 1" chlorine tablets used for swimming pools, drop a couple tablets into your bilge.
It won't remove any water but it will end any mould growth or stinky water.

Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252

CyndiVH
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Joined: 6/15/17
Posts: 10

Great Suggestion on the Chlorine tablets! Will do that until we can identify a better long term solution!

Cyndi Van Herpe
s/v Slip Away
1995 Catalina 36 Mk II
Hull 1443
Deltaville, Virginia

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pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

FYI:
Google "Chlorine and Stainless Steel" and you will find lots of info suggesting to minimize exposure, especially to high concentrations of chlorine.  I've used small amounts of household bleach on my two Catalinas for decades and have not seen keel bolt corrosion. I'm not a chemist, but chlorine pool tablets might tend to create some damage .

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

Paul Revere
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Joined: 3/30/19
Posts: 36

I only have one unit in the front, it's a big 16.5k BTU unit. all the condensation is pumped out from the front bilge with a little 500gph pump out the anchor locker drain thru hull that I put a T and a check valve on. The area under our V berth isn't connected to the main bilge at all, might be different on your boat.

-Paul
Muk-A-Bug
1989 Mk1 TR WK

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