Replacement AC brand advise

[BroncoJohn]

I have had serval problems with my original 21 year old 16000 BTU Dometic air conditioner freezing up since I purchased my 2002 Hunter 386. I am planning on replacing it in a few weeks.
I am looking for advise/recommendations for a replacement unit. I am looking at the Marine Aire or Webasto 115v 16000 BTU unit.

Marine Aire has a 1 year warranty and the Webasto has a 2 year.

 

[Sailgunner]

If I recall correctly from a conversation with my refrergeration mechanic, you cannot charge or check the charge on a Webasco. It is basically a throw away if it breaksdown. BEFORE you purchase any unit make sure you can check and recharge the unit if necessary.

 

[rgranger]

Sailgunner makes a good point. See if you can find a marine repair HVAC person and ask them which type they like working on more.

 

[BroncoJohn]

Sailbunner makes a good point. See if you can find a marine repair HVAC person and ask them which type they like working on more.

A local to me Boat AC person recommended MarineAire and against a newer Dometic system. I do like the high and low pressure built in gauges that come with the MarineAire.

 

[stevec22206]

I purchased a 16,000 BTU unit from Flagship Marine two years ago. 5 year warranty. A/C and electric heat combo. I am very satisfied with the whole experience, ordering, customer service and operation of the unit.

 

[kloudie1]

Bought a Marine Air 12000 btu unit 27 years ago. It runs every day on dehumidify mode.. The problems I have had with the unit have not been due to the unit.. I had a compressor can rust through because the installer (me) didn't set the drain pan correctly. That happened after after 13 years .. I lost the digital controls due to a lightning strike.. The March LC 3 pump motor coil failed at about 16 years. I replaced the compressor when the original can rusted through.
A service port can usually be added to "sealed" units.. The part is called a "Bullet Piercing Valve". If the service guy is sayiing it "can't" be done, he's probably saying that he doesn't want to work on it.. If he says it "shouldn't" be done, he's probably assessing the general unit condition and recommending a path forward.

 

[karellen]

A local to me Boat AC person recommended MarineAire and against a newer Dometic system. I do like the high and low pressure built in gauges that come with the MarineAire.

I'm curious, did they give any specific reasons for recommending against Dometic?

 

[BroncoJohn]

I'm curious, did they give any specific reasons for recommending against Dometic?

They said Dometic is not made by the same company that produced them years ago and is now there own design. He said it is not the same quality as the older models. He said the older models lasted much longer.
This was just one marine AC installers advice to me.

 

[JamesG161]

Dometic is still made in Florida by the same company.

The other faked the name that Dometic made [China knock off] by changing the "E".

Your boat, your choice

Jim...

 

[JamesG161]

This is my link on that subject of Brand name Change..

Brand Name Tricks