Has anyone replaced the cabin AC unit on a mid 90s Passage 42? Ours has finally died and since it is original to the boat and 31 years old!!! I figure it has had a good life and anything that lasts 31 years on a boat is due for replacement. However the original unit is no longer made. Apparently Marine Air Systems was bought out by Dometic some time ago. The problem I am finding is there is limited height in the starboard settee of only around 13.5" and most of the 16k units I see from Dometic, MarinAire, etc are 14"+. There is one by Webasto that I believe will fit but just thought I'd ask here to see what anyone has found.
Cabin AC unit on P42
- Thread starter HoosierSailor
- Start date
I have a 1997 h40.5 with Marine Air also, but mine are still working fine. The only suggestion I have is exhaust all possibilities of repair before replacement. Other than the control itself, the most complex part is the compressor, and that may still be available. The fan motor should be a no-brainer, but you never know.
Sorry I have no better solution.
Sorry I have no better solution.
Don't buy old technology A/C today, and definitely don't try to keep a 31yo system going with replacement parts unless they are simple inexpensive things. The 16kbtu Velair is 13" high, and you will get a modern variable capacity unit that will use less power and cool better.
If the Velair doesn't suit you, the 16kbtu Frigomar is 13.2" high and is another modern unit.
If you want to stay with Dometic, then their Voyager TX series are modern units. The 18kbtu is 13.6" high, so that might not fit. The next size down is only 10kbtu, but it is 12.3" high.
Mark
If the Velair doesn't suit you, the 16kbtu Frigomar is 13.2" high and is another modern unit.
If you want to stay with Dometic, then their Voyager TX series are modern units. The 18kbtu is 13.6" high, so that might not fit. The next size down is only 10kbtu, but it is 12.3" high.
Mark
I'll take a look at the Velair systems. Seems to get pretty good reviews but it is a bit pricey. Thanks!
It does seem the price has gone up a bit since we bought them. They appear to be ~$500 more than a 16kbtu old style Dometic unit. Prices were about the same a couple of years ago.
They are definitely worth an extra $500. Particularly if nothing else fits the space!
This place always has good prices on them, and free shipping: Velair Compact i16VSD SMART Marine Air Conditioner Unit - 115V - 16,000 BTU (Generation 2)
Mark
Thanks! I have been shopping around and some of the places are charging a lot for shipping (up to $500).