www.iFourWinns.com

I suspect I may have a clogged A/C drain.....However I can't get access to the left hand side of the unit b/c I haven't figured out how to remove the cabinet. Access to the front of the A/C unit is no problem, but the factory installed the pan drain on the left hand side of the pan. There is no access or room to inspect. I have taken all removable panels off and can't figure out how to get access w/out disconnecting the A/C unit. I don't want to do this.....just want to check the drain to make sure it is not clogged.....

Also, I have snaked the drain line from the sump as far as I could.....

Will post pics later....

Any suggestions?

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

On my 268 the entire panel in front of it comes off after you drop part of the ceiling in the aft cabin....not sure how it is on your 258.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

How'd you make out? Mine needs five screw removals and a hammer to drive the compartment wall out from inside. Reinstalling it was a little more difficult, using a block of wood to take the hammer blows.

Tom

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

Guys,
thanks for the tips....I did not have much luck this weekend getting to the A/C.....was not that motivated b/c was enjoying our time out on the lake....

I have confirmed that I do have an issue though....After running the A/C Saturday night, the aft cabin mattress was wet around the A/C cabinet. I checked the pan and it was overflowing....used a shop vac to suck the water up....then went to sump and played around with the drain line....it started draining into the sump after I "elevated" it off the sump floor.

I may have a drain line "configuration" problem. Perhaps there is not enough head pressure to force the condensate down to the sump......Gravity can't do it's job and the water just backs up in the drain line.....

I will have to go back with out the family to try your suggestions for removal of the cabinet....but thanks to you I have a place to start....

Happy Boating!

_________________
David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

Get a Mermaid condensator to get rid of your condensate.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

I've had problems with a wet mattress from condensate backing up also. My line was obstructed and I spent a lot of time cleaning it out. Lately I take a small shop vac that I keep in my dock box and putting the end on the inlet at the sump box and sucking it clean. Takes just a minute and fills the little shop vac but I haven't taken the AC apart since then. My sump box is easy to get to so that could be a factor if yours is not that accessible. I also use the opportunity to suck out whatever nastiness has started in the sump box.

If I recall correctly there was a previous thread about the poor design of the drain on these units.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Some time ago I built a condensate sump box, placed in the bilge, that the drip line slowly fills. The one-gallon plastic container has a snap-on sealing lid; I placed a small Rule pump and float switch on its bottom and the drip line is a press-fit through a hole in the lid.

There is sufficient air leakage from the container to permit the drip line to fill it but it is tight enough so that, when the pump runs and dumps about a quart or so of condensate overboard, it also draws a slight vacuum and clears the drip line each cycle. It has worked without attention for ten years.

Tom

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

Thanks teker!!!
Just curious, is there a concern about reducing the flow from the raw water pump to go through the condensator? Also, is the "sucking" noise associated with venturi pumps like the mermaid bothersome?

Would be curious to hear from folks who have practical experience with this. All in all, I think this is the best option if the risk of burning out the raw water pump is not a concern

Happy Boating!

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

Flyer51, I have had to suck out the line as well.......
Also, after reading other forums, I wonder if I am having a freezing problem. In high humidity areas, it is not unusual for ice to form on the pump unit.....or could be a combination of both freezing and slow drain. If memory serves, if have noticed the side of the A/C cabinet gets very cold and has some condensation on it as well......

_________________
David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

Tom,
Good advice.....! Thanks for the reply.

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

On my 258 the condensate drained into the bilge, there for the bilge was always wet. Not a good plan in my estimation. I installed the Condensator several years ago and have had no problems. It is a tee that goes into the line that returns the water overboard that has a venturi in it that siphons the water out of the condensate pan out the discharge hose. No moving parts and is completely silent. It has a small filter that needs to be cleaned about once a year. The only bad thing is the price. $150 to $200 for a little bit of plastic. But were used to that. Google it and you can get a pic and installation instructions.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA