Copper Eliminates Barnacles

[Flytrade]

I'm not sure where I read this, but it seems copper can be used in our a/c system to eliminate algae and barnacles. 1/2 inch copper elbows, available for Home Depot, etc, were specifically recommended. I have recently placed several in my a/c strainer, but it's too soon to make an evaluation.
However, the thought came to me that if they work in the strainer, they should also be placed in the hose coming from the seacock to the strainer. But, will these elbows interfere with the operation of the seacock?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Irie308]

I place a single coper fitting in the AC strainer. You really don't need more than that in the basket. Did this last year and it was night and day. Glass was crystal clear. I wouldn't want one getting into the hose as it would definitely reduce the flow. Also note my strainer basket is plastic so not sure how the coper fitting would react to a dissimilar metal basket.

 

[jmauld]

I read that as well and purchased some copper pipe to cut up and put in the strainer(s).

 

[Skybolt]

Man I need to try that. I actually removed my strainer because I have south bay strainer grate(s) on the inlet side. The inside strainer and basket would get so clogged that I had to remove the whole strainer and soak it in bleach the scrub it clean. Man what a PITA!

I need to give this a whirl for sure. Thanks for posting about this!

 

[Morgan Jane]

Is the copper fitting sacrificial? Is that what is going on?

 

[Juliery]

Is the copper fitting sacrificial? Is that what is going on?

You likely know that copper is used extensively in antifouling paints. On old sailing vessels, thin copper sheets were nailed to the wooden hulls as antifouling. Copper is effective as an antifouling biocide because, with oxygen present, an elevated concentration of bio-available copper Cu2+ ions develop at the surface. This inhibits the attachment of organisms. After accomplishing this task, it becomes benign.

 

[370Dancer]

You likely know that copper is used extensively in antifouling paints. On old sailing vessels, thin copper sheets were nailed to the wooden hulls as antifouling. Copper is effective as an antifouling biocide because, with oxygen present, an elevated concentration of bio-available copper Cu2+ ions develop at the surface. This inhibits the attachment of organisms. After accomplishing this task, it becomes benign.

So growth inhibited for the fitting only, or the surrounding surfaces?

 

[Juliery]

So growth inhibited for the fitting only, or the surrounding surfaces?

It seems clear from the experiences of others that nearby surfaces are protected, as well.

 

[370Dancer]

I'll let you know how it does in Florida salt

 

[BlueYonder]

I would find some way to secure the piece of copper inside the basket. A piece of copper pipe tumbling around in the water flow could potentially damage the strainer basket. I would hate to have a piece of basket or copper try to work its way through the pump or AC coils. I have good success in warm Florida water using Spa Tablets.

 

[tc410]

I’m not a marine A/C expert by any means, so I could be mistaken, but isn’t the raw-water circulatory system on the A/C unit itself comprised of copper tubing already? If so, what would one gain by adding a few copper couplings? Furthermore, I believe the A/C raw-water distribution manifold in my engine room is comprised of copper fittings. The boat’s in storage so I can’t confirm any of this first hand, but maybe someone here can?

 

[b_arrington]

I’m not a marine A/C expert by any means, so I could be mistaken, but isn’t the raw-water circulatory system on the A/C unit itself comprised of copper tubing already? If so, what would one gain by adding a few copper couplings? Furthermore, I believe the A/C raw-water distribution manifold in my engine room is comprised of copper fittings. The boat’s in storage so I can’t confirm any of this first hand, but maybe someone here can?

On my boat only the coil on the AC on the condenser unit is copper. All of the plumbing before and after is either hard plastic fittings or flexible hose. Especially in warmer water the intake hoses become clogged with growth at or near the water intake point - and beyond. The barnacles attach near the inlet then progressively further up the line.

The idea of the copper (or chlorine or bromine tablets) is to provide a biocide from the point of water entry so the critters can't get a foothold in the piping and clog things up. This is the same basic theory behind the Electrosea Clearline system as well. It uses an electrochlorination cell just behind the strainer to generate and add a small amount of chlorine to the AC water intake stream. It uses electricity to split the natural salt (NaCl) in sea water to free Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl) to kill any critters. This is the same basic process as a salt water pool chlorine generator.

Marketing pic from a Electrosea - copper bits are trying to accomplish the same thing without installing an expensive system. But, in a place like Florida where AC systems tend to run 24/7 an Electrosea might be a good idea long-term.

 

[370Dancer]

I would find some way to secure the piece of copper inside the basket. A piece of copper pipe tumbling around in the water flow could potentially damage the strainer basket. I would hate to have a piece of basket or copper try to work its way through the pump or AC coils. I have good success in warm Florida water using Spa Tablets.

Yes I thought about that. My basket is plastic, so will probably use small tie-wraps. I have used spa tablets off and on over the decades. For 5 bucks, I'll take the challenge to see if it makes a difference.

 

[ttmott]

On my boat only the coil on the AC on the condenser unit is copper. All of the plumbing before and after is either hard plastic fittings or flexible hose. Especially in warmer water the intake hoses become clogged with growth at or near the water intake point - and beyond. The barnacles attach near the inlet then progressively further up the line.

The idea of the copper (or chlorine or bromine tablets) is to provide a biocide from the point of water entry so the critters can't get a foothold in the piping and clog things up. This is the same basic theory behind the Electrosea Clearline system as well. It uses an electrochlorination cell just behind the strainer to generate and add a small amount of chlorine to the AC water intake stream. It uses electricity to split the natural salt (NaCl) in sea water to free Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl) to kill any critters. This is the same basic process as a salt water pool chlorine generator.

Marketing pic from a Electrosea - copper bits are trying to accomplish the same thing without installing an expensive system. But, in a place like Florida where AC systems tend to run 24/7 an Electrosea might be a good idea long-term.

I talked extensively with these folks at FLBS two years ago. In the area where we live there is a lot of turbidity in the water. Most things in the raw water circulation system gets a coat of slime and dirt then, the barnacles, then the tube worms, then, then....
After discussing the water "quality" in our area they admitted their system will not function correctly for very long at all. As it ends up their system needs pretty much clean (blue) salt water to correctly function.

 

[b_arrington]

I talked extensively with these folks at FLBS two years ago. In the area where we live there is a lot of turbidity in the water. Most things in the raw water circulation system gets a coat of slime and dirt then, the barnacles, then the tube worms, then, then....
After discussing the water "quality" in our area they admitted their system will not function correctly for very long at all. As it ends up their system needs pretty much clean (blue) salt water to correctly function.

That's good to know. I'm my no means an expert on that system but I'm kinda surprised. I would have thought that just having the salt in the water for the electro-cell to break down would have been enough to make the free chlorine.

But as I'm writing this, I'm thinking about the cell in my salt water hot tub. Every so often I have to run a clean cycle by dipping it in a chemical. Otherwise it will have a build up of material, especially if the spa has a heavy bather load. I imagine that highly turbid water would cause issues.