Replace HVAC unit now or wait?

Benny17441 · Mar 19, 2014

Have it checked and get an estimate for repairs. Meanwhile summer is coming and as long as the unit cools you are good.

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 19, 2014

This q seems more philosophical than technical. Personally, I always fell more sanguine about any purchase when based on need rather than anticipation of need. Maybe the better q is how long can you live with no A/C in a Georgia summer?

Bill Roosa · Mar 19, 2014

How often did you use it last year?
Did you only use it at night when sleeping?
Can you get by with just the aft unit?
What is your favorite color?

IMHO it all comes down to how you use the boat. If you don't go to the marina and sit on the boat at the dock or never anchor out then AC is nice. If you anchor out exclusively then AC is really of no use unless you want to run the genset all night long.

I've found (as an anchor-outer) that sunshades and 12 fans to be quite satisfactory.

alexco38 · Mar 19, 2014

Budget some money for a nice hotel while the technician is replacing the unit after it quit.
If it is that difficult to replace by a professional, budget for a 7 nights on a cruise ship.

Smile

capta · Mar 19, 2014

Nothing seems to get cheaper as time progresses and sales on items used in summer happen in fall/winter, not the summer.

woodster · Mar 19, 2014

don't these reverse cycle units still have to have water flow to work....if so check your strainer and see if you have water flow it may be stopped up.....these things should last a lot longer than 10 years as much as they cost to replace.......

regards

woody

sdstef · Mar 19, 2014

Bowedtoothdoc said:
Hello all,
Just looking for opinions on replacing my original 2000 model MarineAir 1600 BTU reverse cycle unit. Last fall I replaced my aft unit and now the 1600 BTU unit is not heating. I know that the heating cycle puts a lot more stress on the units than the cooling so I am wondering what sort of cooling capability if any the unit will have when things start to warm up down here?
The unit has had freon checked and topped off within the last 12 months.
Should I hold out until warmer weather is here or replace now? I don't live aboard so waiting is not much of a problem.
Thanks,
BT

What do you mean by ''topped off''? If refrigerant was added, to correct the charge, then you have a leak. Maybe you are low again on charge. Have a qualified hvac tech check the charge by subcooling and or superheat. Or remove charge and weigh it to compare what nameplate calls for charge.

woodster · Mar 20, 2014

Bowedtoothdoc said:
Thanks all for the replies. To answer some questions:
The water pump is working fine and the water flow is good.
The unit was checked by a Technician and Freon topped off the end of July last year.
We already knew that the unit had a leak and he said just to see how long the charge would last. The unit in the aft cabin only cooled for a couple of months after and I ended up replacing it last fall. At that time the front unit was still cooling adequately.
Now it appears that the front unit will need to be replaced.

I have found a company in Florida that makes replacements for older Marine Air units so the size and connections would be similar and their prices are extremely competitive. I can get a new unit from them for under 1600$. Since I watched the Technician change out the back unit last fall, I am planning to do this one myself. The company is called Ocean Breeze. Has anyone had any experience with them? I think the Technician quoted be just over 3000$ for replacement of the forward unit?

yes i have one i put in my boat last year ......if you have one of those you have a heat strip in the plenum that may be bad ......i have been all through my unit and have found out a lot about these units i think they are good ones but they are power hogs ...my frind in fairhope has the same one and has had it for 2 years now and is very happy with it if you have any questions plz feel free to contact me at woodster3046@yahoo.com...

regards

woody