Rinker 280 AC issue . Think it’s a pump

tk1973

Hey folks....

Hoping I could get some insight or opinions. 

Had a great night on the hook for Canada Day here... last night tried to turn on the AC it ran for a couple min and got the HPF error. Never happened before and we use the AC regularly. 

I cleaned the strainer and checked for any blockage under the hull and nothing was blocking it, couldn’t get it figured out so went to bed. 

Came in to the dock today and tried again and noticed no water coming out and got the HPF again. It would work for a few min and then the error. I went under the mid berth and checked the pump and it was silent. I’m hoping it might just be a pump issue. Wanted some opinions and also maybe what pump to replace it with. 

Thanks

Aqua_Aura

Not sure what the issue would be but maybe you can answer a question for me. Where is the strainer located? Is it in the mid bilge where the thru hull is?

tk1973

Yep. Follow from the ac thru hull. Just above it 

Aqua_Aura

Ok thanks. I think I have actually seen it before. 

Handymans342

Check breaker to pump. Check voltage to pump. 

Cableguy Greg

Make sure the strainer is clean. It is located under the aft cabin mattress just behind the steps. Be sure to close the thru hull valve first. 

skennelly

I replaced mine last year.  This is what I used.

https://www.ebay.com/p/1529228040

trip_n

you say no flow = when you cleaned strainer = you primed the pump ? 

skennelly

Mine became finicky...I would arrive at the boat to find the cabin hot because the AC faulted.  Finally changed the pump and no more issues

MarkB

trip_n said:

you say no flow = when you cleaned strainer = you primed the pump ? 

^^^ this ^^^ ... did you prime the pump?? Those pumps can easily airlock.  Trick is to crack open the strainer with the sea **** open ... to clear the air in the line. That most times puts enough water in the pump to get the flow going agian.

Liberty44140

X3, prime. Pull hose off output of pump first to make sure the pump is pumping water. If it is pump is fine, if not pump is not so fine. 

skennelly

My AC line has a T on it with a valve.  If I need to prime and get air bubbles out I just open the valve for a few seconds.  Makes things easy....boat came that way from previous owner.

trip_n

prime i use a hose with pressure into ac outlet or button up = after i pass the no wake i turn ac on taker up to 55/60 and it self primes.
i also 1st year had the hpf - kept tripping of /no cool ... it looked like i had good flow - finally replaced new pump - been cold ever since - great probably just jinxed my ac

tk1973

Thanks for all the advice. I never had any issues with priming this pump. To be honest I think the pump is pooch. Doesn’t even make a sound when the ac is on before the hpf. I’ll try it though tomorrow. I called Dometic and they have a service center not far and the guy said he’ll come by for a service call but I’ll try priming it to see. 

tk1973

Priming it didn't work... also discovered there was no power to the pump... likely a broken wire/connector from the condenser to the pump. Just ended up running a new wire from the condenser to the pump. Fishing it behind the condenser was no bueno. After trying for around 30 min to fish it and lots of swearing, just ended up drilling a small hole in the floor and the access panel and ran new wire. Can't see it as it's all under the mattress. Not the best solution, but it got hot under there and just wanted it done. Once connected, everything started to work again. 

Thanks again folks and hoping this might help someone later on. 

Handymans342

Good catch. Troubleshooting is fun

trip_n

hey did you try drilling a hole in the floor.
i get ya = i struggled with ours almost 2 months mainly because i had flow = everyone said it looked good
new pump and working
good job = stay cool 

tk1973

trip_n said:

hey did you try drilling a hole in the floor.
i get ya = i struggled with ours almost 2 months mainly because i had flow = everyone said it looked good
new pump and working
good job = stay cool 

I did... I put a small hole in the access panel and a small hole in the floor and just ran the wire that way. Not the most elegant but it works, is out of site and helped my sanity.