T&T: Arid Dry Bilge

[GARY RITZMAN]

Yesterday I posted my email asking about price and their prompt reply.

This is my further questions and their prompter reply.

<<<Gary Ritzman>>>  M/V Dharma   Albin 40   Mercer Island WA


 -------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: dry bilge response
From: GARY RITZMAN <ritzmans at msn.com>
Date: Sat, March 21, 2009 5:41 pm
To: <al at aridbilge.com>



Al, thanks for your prompt reply. I have a flat area that will accomodatethe 4
1/4 x 2 3/4 pickup so I beleive I would prefer that pickup to the wand pickup.
Questions:
1) What is a charging cycle (" uses one amp during charging cycle")?
2) Why is a bunch of suction hose coiled up in so many pictures? Why not
shorten it? I think I might only need ten feet if I mount it in a hanging
locker.
3) How much ventilation does the unit require?
4) Can I get an installation manual?
Thanks in advance. <<<Gary Ritzman>>>


From: al at aridbilge.com
To: ritzmans at msn.com
CC: albaurley at cs.com
Subject: RE: dry bilge second response
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:41:52 -0700



Hi Gary,

With a vacuum system, conventional knowlege does not always work, so please
bear with me.
All Arid Bilge Systems have a microprocessor (PLC) that performs several
functions. You can take the back cover off of the unit for an interesting PLC
light show.

1) The air compressor inside the central unit blows air into the collection
chamber through a pair of reversing air valves. In the case of the series 2,
that time interval is roughly 14 seconds and that is enough to verify that the
internal collection chamber is emptied. After 14 seconds, a faint click is
heard and the air flow then reverses, drawing the air out of the collection
chamber. When roughly 18 inches of vacuum are reached, a vacuum switch is
triggered which tells the processor to turn off the air circuit. That
completes the "charge cycle" which takes less than 45 seconds to (blow &
vacuum) complete. The one zone Series 2 will only complete one charge cycle
every three hours unless liquids are present, where it would continue running
charge cycles roughly once every two minutes until all water is removed. The
compressor and reversing air valves draw slightly less than one amp for this
brief 45 second interval.

2) The virtual float switch. The resistance of 20 to 50 feet of 5/32" intake
tubing creates the correct resistance to slow the dissipation of the vacuum in
the internal collection chamber. Shorten the intake tube to less than 20 feet
and your Series 2 nano will only run one cycle every three hours and recognize
the zone as always dry.

3) We run these units continuously (10 hours per day) at boat shows emptying
and refilling the pseudo bilge display every two to three minutes. The
compressors on Series 2 & 4 remain cool to the touch. We have also installed
these units in engine rooms, in some cases within six inches of the exhaust
riser for years on end with no issues. No venting needed for cooling.

4) A copy of the manual is delivered with the unit. The simple installation
instructions for series 2 are as follows:

A) Preferred location would have an existing sink or deck drain, 12 volt DC
power close at hand. There are six mounting holes to the left and right sides
of the unit. Four to six #8 x 1" pan head self tapping screws will secure the
unit which weighs in at just 8 pounds and must be mounted vertically on a
bulkhead. The hanging locker would be a good choice.

B) T connect the 1/2" discharge to a sink or deck drain. All Arid Bilge units
have an internal check valve, so we are not concerned with our unit reverse
flooding. The maximum discharge on any cycle never exceeds 10 oz.

C) The unit has a 16/2 six foot power cord. I recommend connecting to a
dedicated 5 amp 12 volt breaker in your DC service panel for the power
source.

D) Mark the 50 foot intake tubing at 20 feet and pull into the runs. You may
wish to take the long way home so that you won't have to coil the excess.

E) Turn the power on and forget it. It is a very boring thing to watch, but
maybe because I have seen too many systems running. Everytime you check the
compartment it will be dry, unless the water came in during the last 2 1/2
hours.

We have a smaller rectangular pickup that measures out at 2" x 3" and the
minature pickup wand. I would send you one of each with your order. I can tell
you right now that you will be using the wand. It pulls completely dry. When
the vacuum is lost on the pads with the nano units, the water held in the pad
can drop back into the bilge, leaving you a trace amount. With the minature
wand that can be hand bent and secured, there is no water to fall out of the
pad.

So the question is would you like your nano in a white or black case?

Al

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