"He's dead, Jim." (We need a new AC system)

[PirateLisa]

Our "new to us" 1982 Catalina 30's factory-installed Marine AIRRRRRRR is kaput! She was great while she lasted, but her compressor locked up and she's gone. We are now in the market for a new AC/heat unit and are seeking the wisdom of this community to help us find a solution.

Since the original factory installed split-system Marine Air brand lasted this many years-we're pretty impressed. But we're open to suggestions. I assume there's no way around $1200-$1800 for a new unit, right? Which would you recommend? What should we look for? And where would you purchase it from?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help us out on this.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Have you considered simply replacing the broken "part" instead of the whole assembly? Compressors or evaporators or condensing fans and coils can be replaced without a lot of difficulty. And lots less cost.

 

[sdstef]

Unless money is no issue, something I have never known, then I am with Stu. Did a refer. technician diagnose? If not, or if so did they try a new start capacitor or a "hard start kit" just for kicks?

 

[PirateLisa]

Yes, and at first that was our initial assumption that the 30 year old capacitor had gone out. When we replaced it with a new one it fried when we attempted to start it up again. It appears the compressor is locked between the heat and cold cycle. (I don't know, I'm just repeating what I heard them discuss.)

Hubby is a true MacGuver and I swear that man can fix almost anything (he's a maintenance manager at a large plant) - but he doesn't have the tools to sweat copper and all the other things that go along with HVAC stuff. He's also not sure it's the wisest decision to part swap on a 30 year old piece of equipment. If we spent $600 getting this one up and running, it might be more cost effective to put that $600 towards a MUCH more efficient system.

However, before we drop $1800 on a new system, we thought maybe there's a trick that the old salts out there might know about.

Money... what's that? :dance:

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I bet you don't need it this morning there in Rockport Here in Port Lavaca it's 29 degrees with a wind chill of 16 Huge change from yesterday's 72.

Gonna be in Rockport this weekend for Oysterfest?

 

[kloudie1]

Sounds like a bad winding in the compressor.. I replaced my compressor a few years ago with this http://www.grainger.com/search?gcli...R126B&ef_id=UhQKNAAABWoYBH5f:20140303161718:s
and the final cost was very close to $600. I removed the unit and took it to a good shop who did the silver soldering and evacuation and testing and re-charge.. I then re-installed the unit. I am happy with the outcome , but I knew my problem was a hole corroded through the case. I knew there was no contamination generated, which helped to make that decision. In your case, with a probable failed winding or locked bearing, some trash may have been generated that would get into the system. That would most likely result in a short life for the expansion tube and heat/cold switchover solenoid.. I think you may be better off replacing..

 

[PirateLisa]

TSBB - YOU KNOW IT! We'll be down there for Spring Break alllll next week. (We live up by San Antonio, but DANG it's cold up here too!)

kloudie - that's kinda where we're headed. We just wanted to take one final stab at it and see if that was the only other option and not something obvious we're just missing. Thanks for your story. That pretty much sealed the deal in my mind.

Now we just have to decide Webasto, Mermaid, or Marine Air? And where from? Defender.com looks promising...?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Where's the boat slipped? I'll be in Rockport Saturday. Maybe we can visit a bit