I've decided the compressor in my 16kBTU Marine Air Systems air conditioning system is dead - I was thinking of taking the unit out of the boat and taking it to a reputable non-marine airconditioning repair facility. Does anyone have any experience with repairing the compressors on these units - got to do something, too hot to stay on the boat except when sailing. Anyway, I was thinking an air conditioner is an an air conditioner, and for replacement a good shop should be able to do this - comments?
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Lnranch
Window unit
The truth of the matter is these air condtioners are window units that are water cooled. The cost is certainly more but the the product is the same. When making your decision keep in mind what you are repairing. My brother had a freon leak in a 16 btu Cruise Air and after several repair attemps he had spent as much on the old unit as a new one. He did end up purchasing a new one Good Luck
The truth of the matter is these air condtioners are window units that are water cooled. The cost is certainly more but the the product is the same. When making your decision keep in mind what you are repairing. My brother had a freon leak in a 16 btu Cruise Air and after several repair attemps he had spent as much on the old unit as a new one. He did end up purchasing a new one Good Luck
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Bill Sheehy
What makes you think it's dead?
I would remove it and take it to a a/c shop. I removed mine and took it to school to recharge it with feron. It turns out that I have a problem with the control panel. I am going to just use a a/c unit in the main cabin.
I would remove it and take it to a a/c shop. I removed mine and took it to school to recharge it with feron. It turns out that I have a problem with the control panel. I am going to just use a a/c unit in the main cabin.
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Jim Logan
For Bill Sheehy
Well, that is sort of the point - I've worked on a few myself, but I am not "sure", so I want to take it to someone who can tell me - It might be the control box - what would a new control box cost, if you don't mind me asking. I've done everything that the Marine Air tech staff said might work, and what a local tech advised over the phone, so either I have total failure of the control panel, or the compressor is shot - the only thing that is odd is that the water pump doesn't try to start, even though it works, so perhaps the control panel is the problem. Thanks for your interest
Well, that is sort of the point - I've worked on a few myself, but I am not "sure", so I want to take it to someone who can tell me - It might be the control box - what would a new control box cost, if you don't mind me asking. I've done everything that the Marine Air tech staff said might work, and what a local tech advised over the phone, so either I have total failure of the control panel, or the compressor is shot - the only thing that is odd is that the water pump doesn't try to start, even though it works, so perhaps the control panel is the problem. Thanks for your interest
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Gord May
Troubleshooting Guide
Marine Air Systems have an online PDF troubleshooting guide. The guide starts at about page 20-21 of the Cabin Mate Inst. Op. & Maint. manual (see link). Regards, Gord
Marine Air Systems have an online PDF troubleshooting guide. The guide starts at about page 20-21 of the Cabin Mate Inst. Op. & Maint. manual (see link). Regards, Gord
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Jim Logan
For Gord May
Gord: Thanks, but the problem is that it has failed in a way that is not covered under the troubleshooting guide - I've talked to the techs at Marine Air - they are stumped also, so it is either the compressor or the control box, but they dont' seem to be able to determine exactly which one - which does me no good if I'm trying to fix it - might as well buy a new unit as replace both a compressor and control box.
Gord: Thanks, but the problem is that it has failed in a way that is not covered under the troubleshooting guide - I've talked to the techs at Marine Air - they are stumped also, so it is either the compressor or the control box, but they dont' seem to be able to determine exactly which one - which does me no good if I'm trying to fix it - might as well buy a new unit as replace both a compressor and control box.
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steve rainey
Replacing Marine A/C Compressors
I have an appartment building, deal with A/C units all the time. Learned a long time ago. It its worth it to try to fix them. Just buy a new one. Its cheaper by far...
I have an appartment building, deal with A/C units all the time. Learned a long time ago. It its worth it to try to fix them. Just buy a new one. Its cheaper by far...
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Gord May
Control Panel Type?
JIM: What type of Control Panel have you? 2 Knob Mechanical? 3 Knob Mech? Digital? You can test the Control Panel by "Jumpering" the Thermostat - to simulate a call for cooling. If the A/C Unit runs, it's the C.P. If not ... Thermostats are often "Black & Green #16 Wire". Hope this helps. If not, more info', mayber more help. Don't quit just yet. Gord
JIM: What type of Control Panel have you? 2 Knob Mechanical? 3 Knob Mech? Digital? You can test the Control Panel by "Jumpering" the Thermostat - to simulate a call for cooling. If the A/C Unit runs, it's the C.P. If not ... Thermostats are often "Black & Green #16 Wire". Hope this helps. If not, more info', mayber more help. Don't quit just yet. Gord
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Jim Logan
For Gord May
It is a digital (Passport) type of control - I think the digital control is sending a signal to the control box, since it appears to work after doing a self test, but when the cooling light on the panel comes on, the water pump doesnt' start (which used to happen before the compressor started-I know the pump is good, tested it) - I hear the reversing valve do its reset as it should, then the fan starts on high and nothing else happens, except the fan goes down to about half speed, and the passport control panel shows a flashing indication of ---(3 dashes), which is not anything that is shown in the troubleshooting guides - I'm going to see if there is power to the compressor when this happens, if so it is the compressor, but it could be the power relay in the control box. Marine Air's solution is call a local technician - sounds good, but can't seem to find one that wants to work on it on a boat in the summer in New Orleans, so I'm going to pull the unit out and take it somewhere. I sort of agree with one of the respondents-the unit is at least 7 years old, so replacement might make more sense than repair - but sure hurts the pocketbook.
It is a digital (Passport) type of control - I think the digital control is sending a signal to the control box, since it appears to work after doing a self test, but when the cooling light on the panel comes on, the water pump doesnt' start (which used to happen before the compressor started-I know the pump is good, tested it) - I hear the reversing valve do its reset as it should, then the fan starts on high and nothing else happens, except the fan goes down to about half speed, and the passport control panel shows a flashing indication of ---(3 dashes), which is not anything that is shown in the troubleshooting guides - I'm going to see if there is power to the compressor when this happens, if so it is the compressor, but it could be the power relay in the control box. Marine Air's solution is call a local technician - sounds good, but can't seem to find one that wants to work on it on a boat in the summer in New Orleans, so I'm going to pull the unit out and take it somewhere. I sort of agree with one of the respondents-the unit is at least 7 years old, so replacement might make more sense than repair - but sure hurts the pocketbook.
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Gord May
Wiring Diagram
JIM: Have youy got the "Passport" control Wiring Diagram. I think it's on Marine Air's website (middle of a +/- 20 page PDF). If not, I could fax you a copy. Gord
JIM: Have youy got the "Passport" control Wiring Diagram. I think it's on Marine Air's website (middle of a +/- 20 page PDF). If not, I could fax you a copy. Gord
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Jim Logan
I've got the Wiring Diagram
Gord: I've downloaded everthing available from the website and talked to their tech people twice - no joy so far.
Gord: I've downloaded everthing available from the website and talked to their tech people twice - no joy so far.
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George Lakes III
Have the same unit
I would suggest that it may be the control unit and not the pump. Mine was that way and I found it by isolating the power line and found that no power was getting to the unit. Traced back to where there was power to the control unit but it would not distribute the power to the compressor or pump. Turns out that it failed most likely by over heating. Happened the same way on the fridge.
I would suggest that it may be the control unit and not the pump. Mine was that way and I found it by isolating the power line and found that no power was getting to the unit. Traced back to where there was power to the control unit but it would not distribute the power to the compressor or pump. Turns out that it failed most likely by over heating. Happened the same way on the fridge.
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Jim Logan
Thanks, George
That is the conclusion I've come to also, but I may still have a burned out compressor - I'll post the results when I find out.
That is the conclusion I've come to also, but I may still have a burned out compressor - I'll post the results when I find out.
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Bill Sheehy
Smell?
What does the compressor smell like? If it is burned out there should be a really bad burned smell.
What does the compressor smell like? If it is burned out there should be a really bad burned smell.
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Don Flowers
No smell !!
The compressor motor is internal, so there would be no smell. The only smell would be in the system(in the refrigerant), and only then if the motor windings are burned.(you would only have an external smell if the wire terminals at the compressor were burned) It sounds to me as if you have a locked roter. Which means the motor is stuck. I have seen this in new compressors as well as old, it is more common than one would think. I personally think you need to call a service guy and just pay him to find the problem. With proper tools and meters he can tell you if the compressor is bad in about three to five minutes. And if the compressor is bad and needs to be changed, this is not a job for someone without all the proper tools needed. Torch, vacume pump, gauges, just to name a few. If it a locked rotor, and the internal motor windings are good, a start kit can be installed. Installed two of them last week, and one was a new unit. Hope this helps. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
The compressor motor is internal, so there would be no smell. The only smell would be in the system(in the refrigerant), and only then if the motor windings are burned.(you would only have an external smell if the wire terminals at the compressor were burned) It sounds to me as if you have a locked roter. Which means the motor is stuck. I have seen this in new compressors as well as old, it is more common than one would think. I personally think you need to call a service guy and just pay him to find the problem. With proper tools and meters he can tell you if the compressor is bad in about three to five minutes. And if the compressor is bad and needs to be changed, this is not a job for someone without all the proper tools needed. Torch, vacume pump, gauges, just to name a few. If it a locked rotor, and the internal motor windings are good, a start kit can be installed. Installed two of them last week, and one was a new unit. Hope this helps. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
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Jim Logan
Thanks, Don
Don - the problem with the repair man is that for some reason, getting someone to come to the boat to look at this thing is very difficult - which is odd since there are so many in New Orleans - you get those Well, I might can come on Wednesday, but I'm not sure sort of answers" which is a problem when you live 80 miles from where your boat is docked. I'm going to pull the unit out and bring it home with me, then I'll know the work will get done correctly. Thanks for all the advice from everyone -
Don - the problem with the repair man is that for some reason, getting someone to come to the boat to look at this thing is very difficult - which is odd since there are so many in New Orleans - you get those Well, I might can come on Wednesday, but I'm not sure sort of answers" which is a problem when you live 80 miles from where your boat is docked. I'm going to pull the unit out and bring it home with me, then I'll know the work will get done correctly. Thanks for all the advice from everyone -
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Don Flowers
Jim
Jim, I live in Rockport, Tx. Hell and back from New Orleans, but I would be more than happy to help you over the internet or phone. My email address is dflowers@pyramid3.net E-mail me and I may be able to talk you through this. We will at least see if the compressor is bad or not. Don
Jim, I live in Rockport, Tx. Hell and back from New Orleans, but I would be more than happy to help you over the internet or phone. My email address is dflowers@pyramid3.net E-mail me and I may be able to talk you through this. We will at least see if the compressor is bad or not. Don
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