King-Air Conditioning and Alder/Barbour cold plate

[Ctskip]

Just when you think all is well. My air conditioning(King-Air) unit, keeps blowing its circuit breakers .It's set up on a two breaker system (15amp ea.)One breaker keeps popping.I changed breakers and it does the same thing. It sounds like it wants to work ,the lites go dim and 10 seconds later the circuit pops.Lights are back on bright. The company seems to be long gone.I read in my Manuel something about pressure being equalized? Huh? It is also a reverse cycle heater and that seems to be working fine on the heat side. At least it did last year. Naturally the heater will wait till winter for it to go south on me also. This a/c worked ok last year with some difficulty. Seemed to dim the lights for 3 to 5 seconds then the a/c will get going.And the lights will brighten up. I've checked the water pump and it is fine with great water volume and I have blown air through the system for any blockage. None. Does anyone out there have similar problems with their unit and if so. What did you do? Anyone know the answer to this problem? Please...Now for the second problem. My Adler Barbour cold machine(refrigerator)unit.It to decided to head south for the season anyway.I'm sure the refer will be cold enough to freeze a soda pop this winter for sure. But, it's now when I need it. It was working fine then I noticed it was warm.??? Blown fuse(Buss GLN-10). No problem, put the spare in and pop goes the fuse. Now we are onto the last backup fuse and again pop.I move on to a 15amp fuse and this time the circuit breaker goes pop. Now I am into something over my head. Help!!! Both these units are probably original to the boat???? and its a 83 model. What do ya'll think? Any comment are appreciated Keep it up,  Ctskip

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

King Air is still around...

over in St. Pete, at least they were last summer when I ordered a part from them. 1-877-KING-AIR. Link Below. They were helpful fist time I called with a problem. After that they wouldn't return calls or follow-up with me. So take your chances with them.Unfortunately, they don't have any sort of repair network, and don't seem to care. But the local guy who looked at mine seemed to figure things out. Apparently KA (at least mine) is/are wired very unusual. He did say, however they are built like tanks and run forever.I have a KA 19k unit that came to me with my '93 boat. We're having power problems at my marina, low voltage, and my unit dims everything and finally cranks up. Maybe someone here can give you better details...I don't understand hvac. As for the refer, it's 25 years old, splurge on a new one. You'll save yourself a lot of headache and they're more efficient than the old ones.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Re your fridge

ctskip: look up WAECO Adler Barbour (Google), they're back east, talk to Gary about your fridge problems, he's very helpful.

 

[Jim Rushing]

Use a n A/C amp meter

and check the starting current. If it runs and you shut it off and try to restart it to soon, the head pressure will be too high and kick the breaker. If it runs for a while and then kicks the breaker, either you do not have enough cooling water going through the heat exchanger coils or air through the cold coils. Either one will increase the head pressure.

 

[Dick Dixon]

Regarding your King Air....

In March 2004, I purchased a 16K King Air Revearse Cycle. For the first 1.5 years there were no problems except that a pump went bad, then the compressor stuck (which sounds like your problem). King Air replaced it; I had to pay the freight. One month after the warranty expired the unit began freezing up; they agreed to fix it but when I shipped it AAA Cooper (cost me $93) this lovely carrier intentionally dropped it when it was delivered to King Air. Thankfully a King Air employee witnessed it and signed for it damaged. AAA Cooper, however, refused to pay the $486 damages saying it was a used unit and, under the tarrif laws, were only obligated by law to pay me $.50/lb or $42! Because I work in procurement for a major defense contractor, I was able to muscle (I admit it but it was only right) AAA Cooper into paying for the repairs. Imagine my surprise when I opened the shipment from King Air to find a brand new unit in the box. It took some strong words to King Air on my part to bring them around but they finally came through. You don't say how old the unit is but if I were you I would push King Air real hard...and yes, they are still in business @ 877-KING AIR....good luck...talk to the owner...I forget his name....I did write them a nice thank you letter and sent a copy to Sail, Cruising World, and Latitudes & Attitudes magazine (who just printed it).

 

[Dick Dixon]

The guy's name is

The guy to talk to is Rick Woram @ King Air....

 

[flyhop]

I'm not an expert, but...

It seems that you have two major appliances which continue to blow fuses. Does anyone else think this could be an electrical issue rather than a problem with two appliances?

 

[Ctskip]

Thank you all

I knew that I could get the help and guidance I needed here . I also knew that folks out there have had similar problems and knew what they did to rectify the situation. Again ,Thank you all for your help and guidance.Flyhop,  I thought about the electrical source and it has been doing it at different times and different circumstances. So I eliminated the electrical system first thing. I did give it a long look though. Thanks for your input Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[Dwain L.]

Get a "kickstart"

or a hard start kit from your local appliance store or ac guy. A hard start kit will help a compressor start when experiencing, low voltage or even high pressures. It won't cure a bad compressor but may keep it running a little longer.Easy to wire into system. Just plug it onto the run capacitor.Dwain L.S/V DancyH 340