cruisair ac not starting properly

[duality]

hope someone can help, i have a 16k btu cruisair with separate condenser. sometimes it is stubborn starting. i have to give the circuit panel box a tap and it will start, compressor, water pump and fan. originally i thought the low or high switch connection was bad because they are just punched down on the circuit board. but that would show a fault on the thermostat. i can hear the on board relays click on, but no action. on top of the box are 2 capacitors and a relay. i feel one or more of these is the culprit. anyone else have similar issues?

mike

 

[JamesG161]

i have a 16k btu cruisair with separate condenser.

I might help if you can Date your model.
Mine, 1997 vintage, had a "thermal start" for the compressor starting capacitor. Mine had same similar problems as you describe. That was replaced for a $20 "Hard Start" by my AC expert.
Now 1 year since the change, no problems! Mine AC (heat pump) is on 24/7 to keep my boat dry and above freezing during winter.
Jim...

 

[thinwater]

hope someone can help, i have a 16k btu cruisair with separate condenser. sometimes it is stubborn starting. i have to give the circuit panel box a tap and it will start, compressor, water pump and fan. originally i thought the low or high switch connection was bad because they are just punched down on the circuit board. but that would show a fault on the thermostat. i can hear the on board relays click on, but no action. on top of the box are 2 capacitors and a relay. i feel one or more of these is the culprit. anyone else have similar issues?

mike

I have been told by factory techs that loose boards can be a problem, and if you are tapping the box, that sounds plausible. Call them, it may be a very fast fix.

 

[duality]

yes its a 2001. i think its that relay attached to the top. i asked an ac guy and he thought it was a contacter not a relay.

 

[brockfromwa]

My 30k unit is not starting up on cool mode, but does work on heat mode. What's your quick and favorite way to trouble shoot this?

Normally a power cycle will resolve this problem, but not this time. Connected to shore power, but it also doesn't work on generator power.

I'm in central America, no additional heat needed at the moment...

 

[colemj]

My 30k unit is not starting up on cool mode, but does work on heat mode. What's your quick and favorite way to trouble shoot this?

Normally a power cycle will resolve this problem, but not this time. Connected to shore power, but it also doesn't work on generator power.

I'm in central America, no additional heat needed at the moment...

Does it not start up at all on cool mode, or it does not cool on cool mode? If it is not cooling, then likely the reversing solenoid is stuck.

Does the thermostat have a separate switch or switch position for cool and heat? If so, that switch/position for cool might be bad or the wires have bad contact.

Mark

 

[brockfromwa]

It does not start up at all. Acts like there is no power.

I believe my unit experienced an error, and shut off. Power cycling didn't restart the unit, but then I realized it has an incredibly large capacitor. I left the power off for about an hour, and then the system cleared the fault, allowing the system to turn on when switched to cool.

My new question is: Is there a way to manually clear the faults? Attached is the wiring schematic off of the cover.

 

[JamesG161]

Is this your only AC on board?

If you have 2 units, the other unit may be the issue.

Jim...