The first thing I did was turn off all electrical power at the main. Then I climbed down into the engine compartment to start the removal process. I cut the power cord to the old pump. Then I backed out the two screws holding it on its mounting point. That was the easy part.
Here is the old pump.
It had been acting erratic for the last month or so. The A/C unit was installed in 1996 so this could be the original pump.
This is the new pump I installed.
Now for the hard part. The install. I took my time. I removed the two parts for the hose connections from the old pump as they were reusable. Then I put some wooden slats underneath the new pump to hold it in place so I could mount it. I drilled two starter holes into the mounting place. Then I drove in the two screws to hold it in place.
Next up was connecting the wiring. That went OK, took me a little time. The whole job from start to finish was about 4 hours. Like I said, I took my time. Once I had the wires connected I fired up the A/C unit. I heard the pump fire up and went outside to look for the A/C discharge. Nothing, no water coming through the outlet. Then I remembered these pumps for some reason are non priming.
I needed to prime the pump. I needed one of the old style twist hose nozzles so I had to go to the local hardware store and buy one. I will keep it on the boat for future priming issues. When I got back I hooked the hose up to the water outlet. Then I ran it down into the bilge area and inserted it into the seapump hose before the sea strainer unit. I turned on the water and waited for it to come through the outlet.
Then I came inside and fired up the A/C unit and alas I started getting cold air out the ducts. I shut down the A/C unit. Then I went back outside to the faucet and shut off the water. Back down into the bilge to disconnect the hose from the seawater inlet hose. I reconnected the hose to the through-hull securely clamping the hose to the inlet. Then I climbed up into the salon and fired up the A/C unit. Back outside to look for the seawater discharge coming out the portside outlet. There was water coming out of the outlet. There was also cold air coming out of the A/C ducts.
It is wonderful to have a working A/C unit once again.
Now on to getting my transmission problem fixed. I am on to a lead from a fellow dockmate as to someone who might be able to fix it for me. The question is will it be this year or next.
Sponsors