S
Sanfelice
.
- Jan 21, 2009
- 257
Catalina
30
Lake Perry, KS
Jul 18, 2018
- #1
I have a dry bilge except when running the air conditioner. The drip tube in the bilge runs perpendicular to the water return hose which exits out the transom . The water return hose is 5/8" and the drip hose is 1/4". I was thinking about putting a T on the return hose and connecting the drip hose. My thought is that the return water would act as a vacuum and pull the condensation out of the boat and keep the bilge dry. Is there a problem with this approach which I am not recognizing? Thanks
quadrille38
.
- Apr 11, 2010
- 952
Hunter
38
Whitehall MI
Jul 18, 2018
- #2
If I understand you correctly you are considering putting the T on the discharge side of the pump. If this is true, Without a syphon / educator type device I don’t believe you will get suction and instead get pressure that will shoot water up through the drip hose and flood your boat.
Here is a link to a product Defender offers that will do what you are thinking of.
https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2276179|2061076|2061077|2061085&id=2756613
A caution though. I was looking at this device until I read that they do not recommend using it in situations where you have two air conditioning units using a single recirculating pump system. Which is exactly what I have. Apparently with two units the there is a flow rate decrease which could impact the compressor units.
If what you are saying is that you are considering putting the T on the suction side of the pump, don’t do it. You will suck air and lose prime in the pump. You will damage the system.
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Sailm8
.
- Feb 21, 2008
- 1,746
Hunter
29.5
Punta Gorda
Jul 18, 2018
- #3
I bookmarked this item based on another website recommendation. Seems like the same as the defender item. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1NKJJ...olid=2IUL4O1H16I8Y&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
31seahorse
.
- Aug 2, 2005
- 1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon
18
Seneca Lake
Jul 18, 2018
- #4
Just thinking.........If the bilge is deep enough could you install one of the shower sump boxes to catch the condensed water and then have the bilge pump in the shower unit rid your boat of the offending liquid? Still need to think of where to have the water exit.
Davidasailor26
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- May 17, 2004
- 5,103
Beneteau
Oceanis 37
Havre de Grace
Jul 18, 2018
- #5
There was a discussion of a similar problem here not long ago - https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...and-that-leads-me-to-another-question.192317/
Gunni
.
- Mar 16, 2010
- 5,937
Beneteau
411 Oceanis
Annapolis
Jul 18, 2018
- #6
quadrille38 said:
A caution though. I was looking at this device until I read that they do not recommend using it in situations where you have two air conditioning units using a single recirculating pump system. Which is exactly what I have. Apparently with two units the there is a flow rate decrease which could impact the compressor units.
Not a problem, been using TWO extractors on my two-A/C install with a single circulation pump for 13 years. The flow is somewhat reduced but it does not affect the operation of the A/C units. In fact I mostly cool my boat with a single 12k BTU unit placed mid-ship. Same with spring/fall operation where the system becomes a reverse heating system. Shouldn’t be a problem at all with your cold northern lake water.
Likes:
quadrille38D
dave_and_dd
.
- Apr 13, 2015
- 156
Catalina
309
Port Charlotte
Jul 18, 2018
- #7
I've been thinking of doing a sump for mine, but the elegance of the venturi system is just so nice without even any moving parts.
I would be wary of using a garden venturi as think about the consequences of it failing and splitting...you are now pumping water into the boat.
Dave in Tampa
S
Sanfelice
.
- Jan 21, 2009
- 257
Catalina
30
Lake Perry, KS
Jul 18, 2018
- #8
Thanks for the input. I suspected mu solution was too good to be true. Will have to start a go fund me campaign to buy the kit. 
SG
.
- Feb 11, 2017
- 1,670
J/Boat
J/160
Annapolis
Jul 18, 2018
- #9
Mermaid AC , I believe, made such an induction device. However it's not so simple.
https://www.mmair.com/marine-division/accessories/mermaid-condensator/
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BigEasy
.
- Jun 21, 2004
- 2,534
Beneteau
343
Slidell, LA
Jul 18, 2018
- #10
SG said:
Mermaid AC , I believe, made such an induction device. However it's not so simple.
https://www.mmair.com/marine-division/accessories/mermaid-condensator/
I wouldn’t use a garden variety Venturi either; they aren’t suitable for marine use. If it breaks, your boat will sink at worst or suffer severe flooding damage at best. For example, on the Amazon device, there isn’t sufficient space for two hose clamps on the threaded ends. There should be robust hose barbs to engage and retain the hose and sufficient space for two hose clamps. Better to buy components that are designed for use on a boat.
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Paul Mermelstein
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- Oct 3, 2008
- 325
Beneteau
393
Chesapeake Bay
Jul 18, 2018
- #11
I have two A/C units, each with its own discharge, and one pump for both. Been using the Mermaid Condensator on both systems for 11 years. No problems. Just clean the filter/screens now and then during the season. Once every few years I also disassemble the venturi and clean that too.
D
dave_and_dd
.
- Apr 13, 2015
- 156
Catalina
309
Port Charlotte
Jul 19, 2018
- #12
SG said:
Mermaid AC , I believe, made such an induction device. However it's not so simple.
https://www.mmair.com/marine-division/accessories/mermaid-condensator/
Anyone know the price on the Mermaid unit? The link doesn't detail the price and the request a quote asks for more info than I prefer to give.
Dave
JamesG161
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Feb 14, 2014
- 7,473
Hunter
430
Waveland, MS
Jul 19, 2018
- #13
AC condensate is "rain water". It is essentially "demineralized" or soft water.
Parts of Kansas are not very humid, so condensate flow is low.
Why not collect the condensate in small plastic container like this?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-...97f-a8a7-9f66dc87aea6&adpgm=wpa&pltfm=desktop
Just an example to think "outside the box/bilge".
You, of course, could get different containers sizes and shapes.
Use "hand power" to lift and pour into your galley sink, wash the deck, cool showers, dish washing, etc.
This would minimize water in the bilge.
Jim...
PS: I have never understood the passion for a bone dry bilge.
PSS: My bilge with AC condensate, it always clear , clean and no smells.
B
Benny17441
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- May 24, 2004
- 7,132
CC
30
South Florida
Jul 19, 2018
- #14
The A/C drip line was designed to run that way by the boat designers. It is a proper use of the bilge and I fail to see what the problem is. It has been that way since the inception of A/C in boats and if there would have been major complaints they would have changed it by now. Clear, condensate distilled water hardly creates any smell.
Likes:
JamesG161
Gunni
.
- Mar 16, 2010
- 5,937
Beneteau
411 Oceanis
Annapolis
Jul 19, 2018
- #15
The Mermaid Condensator seems to have priced itself out of the market, but Defender is selling Dometic branded condensator system from Marvair. Might be worth contacting Mermaid and see if they have come back to earth on their product pricing.
Marvair - Same concept and includes the proper parts including a condensate filter, backflow preventer and the right number of hose clamps. When you do your install place the filter and the Venturi device in locations where they can be accessed and maintained.
https://www.defender.com/pdf/901639.pdf
P
Pat
.
- Jun 7, 2004
- 1,250
Oday
272LE
Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Jul 19, 2018
- #16
We ordered our 12,000 btu Mermaid unit with their 'condensator'....7 years later it is still working flawlessly...I'm not sure what I paid, but Mermaid recommended it....it effectively removes the standing water in the drip pan after the unit may have been running all night...in order to remove the condensate in the drip pan after a long evening, I just turn the unit on for a few minutes and the condensate water is gone....the above scenario occurs when I've gotten up in the middle of the night and turned the unit off or something.....the water being sucked out will run back into the drip pan and can spill out when the boat heals...this does not happen if I turn the unit on for a couple minutes before leaving the slip...many cities in relatively flat locations use this type of system to remove water from drains that are below the city drainage system flow lines....walk-out lower levels, etc. that are below the city storm system flow line use a venturi effect construction to eliminate flooding in people's back yards...more than you wanted to know....but it works! Contact Wright Marine....a Mermaid dealer... Patrick
B
Benny17441
.
- May 24, 2004
- 7,132
CC
30
South Florida
Jul 19, 2018
- #17
I guess it also depends on your geographical area, those "condensators" do not work that well in the Gulf Coast of Florida during the summer.
Gunni
.
- Mar 16, 2010
- 5,937
Beneteau
411 Oceanis
Annapolis
Jul 19, 2018
- #18
Benny17441 said:
I guess it also depends on your geographical area, those "condensators" do not work that well in the Gulf Coast of Florida during the summer.
Yeah, especially if you don’t have one installed!
Likes:
BigEasy
uncledom
.
- Jun 11, 2011
- 1,243
Hunter
41
Lewes
Jul 19, 2018
- #19
SG said:
Mermaid AC , I believe, made such an induction device. However it's not so simple.
https://www.mmair.com/marine-division/accessories/mermaid-condensator/
I have one of these but I have 2 A/C systems and the fridge, freezer and dish drying closet all empty into the bilge so need less to say, it does not keep up. Still experimenting. Will post something when I have a solution.
Don S/V ILLusion
.
- Sep 25, 2008
- 7,111
Alden
50
Sarasota, Florida
Jul 19, 2018
- #20
Benny17441 said:
I guess it also depends on your geographical area, those "condensators" do not work that well in the Gulf Coast of Florida during the summer.
I don't know why. Apparently neither does my Venturi drain. At least not over the past 8 years.
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