Post edited 8:42 pm – August 15, 2009 by Steve Pooler

Hi Phillip,

Typically…For the pump capacity, 250 GPH per ton of A/C is what is required (12,000 BTU being 1 ton) so you would need 500 GPH or 8.3 GPM actually flowing thru the units.

Meaning…That's if the units are close to the pump and the pump has to pump no higher than 3 feet of head….The further, or higher you pump…The more pump's rated capacity reduces.

Water temp is also a factor, so if you have High seawater temps or need to pump long distances, the next larger pump is sometimes warranted.

The pumps I offer in your range are either 500 or 1000 GPH…The 500 is liquid cooled & submersible, and the 1000 is Air cooled so it cannot get wet…Both are magnetic drive with no need for a shaft seal and therefore no worries about leaking there.

As far as your other problem…I need a bit more info…

• What is the boat ?…I may be familiar with it's installation layout.
• What type of cabin controls…Are they the original three knob type, or have they been upgraded to digital ?
• Are both compressors on a single metal base, or are they on separate bases ?

Also…Your pump may not run until a compressor starts, and you may also have a breaker for just that pump…You need to read my article http://marine-ac.com/forum/tro…..elays/#p86 for a description although yours may be the older type with the mechanical relay and not have it's own breaker… 

Steve~

Post edited 7:51 am – August 16, 2009 by Steve Pooler

The model numbers of the air handlers should be as follows:

• EFB-12…Salon
• EFB-6…Fwd
• EFB-6…Aft

They should be what we call "Blow Thru" non ductable type, where they have a propeller type fan (as opposed to squirrel cage) mounted in a cage on the back side of the coil, and blowing air thru the coil out the front…

It's taxing my memory but I believe the pump relay was integrated into the electrical box on the WCAH Duplex unit…I'm not sure on the weekend if we can get the parts for the relay…I'll have to call during the week, and the part number is of course no longer in the book…However you can check for a twist type fuse holder & fuse thru the side of the electrical box.

If we can't get parts for it…We can install a newer external relay box…

Compressors not coming on…It's also taxing memory, but I think the duplex units had low pressure switch cut offs…If the units are out of freon they won't come on…Do they attempt to start ?…Meaning do lights dim a little when you switch to run ?

Steve~

Post edited 8:39 am – August 16, 2009 by Steve Pooler

Hi Phillip…Guess I was editing my above post when you came in…Good Morning…

I think due to the systems age we had better check a few other things before you spend much money on a 45 year old system…It really has no reason to owe anyone a thing at this point and I wouldn't be suprised if there might be some other deeper issues….

Let's see if we can at least get the compressors to start first…and we don't need a pump for that…

I need you to look at the unit below…In the electrical box, connected to wire, then having a small freon tube also coming out should be some pressure switches…There should be at least 2 of these, but maybe 4…If there are 4…The unit has low pressure switches and may not run for lack of R-22…

While you are in there…Look for any burnt wire connections and repair as needed…Then pull each unit's 3 knob control out of the bulkhead and do the same…

Steve~

Ok Phillip~

What I do want to say is…That system is a bit small for that boat for the area you live…It could be fine further north…and I'm not saying we can't get her up & running, but it's one thing you may want to keep in mind…

Those air handlers never did move much air, and the older system btu ratings are different than today's…Meaning today's systems of the same btu rating will way out perform the system you have installed…

That, and with the age of the system…Money spent, could end up feeling like money "Not well spent" in the end is what I want to say going into this…

If it's a matter of wanting to stay as original as possible…I can understand that too…It's like restoring a classic car 

Steve~

Post edited 10:06 am – August 17, 2009 by Steve Pooler

I understand…

Also keep in mind that if you are handy…You can install self contained units yourself…No freon lines to run…Only water, electric & round flex duct…The controls are even Plug & Play with small telephone type cord & connections.

They could be installed in stages as funds became free, and a single 16,000 btu Turbo self contained unit installed in the salon would likely temporarily perform as well as that whole system ever did…of course with fans to help direct cool air to the other areas as needed..

This could also keep you cool while doing any other upgrades…later you can add two smaller units fwd & aft as funds allow…

These units also use less power then the old systems did, move more air, and are much quieter.

The reason I am pushing this thought Phillip is:

I have a good bit of experience with the system you have now…But it's not likely going to be easy to find a guy around that is familiar enough with that system to know the electrical & control end of it…There are just not that many of them still around that go far enough back to have worked on, or even seen a Cruisair duplex system….and Virtually none of the parts that came in that electrical box are used or manufactured today….But yes there are replacements that can be substituted…They usually don't wire the same though…

Plus…There's no telling how many guys have worked on it in 45 years, and what they have done to it to keep it running…So even for a guy that knows the original system…He is gonna start out somewhat in the dark, and have to try to figure out any modifications that may have been done in the past…

Yes…I will be here to help with what I can, but not being able to see it myself will add to that confusion a bit.

Another thing is freon leaks…In the marine environment with electrolysis present…45 year old stuff is gonna have some, if not quite a few…It's just the nature of copper (softest metal in the boat) and solder (dissimilar metal)  joints that hold the whole system together…Those air handlers will have (guessing) somewhere around 100 each…That's a lot of places to leak freon…Locating & repairing them can be a chore…Not to mention costly due to the repeat trips to find/repair them all….Also…Once a joint starts leaking…Others around it that are not, are generally not far off from leaking…

All in All…The little things one by one can quickly add up…and when done (if ever)…You still have a 45 year old system that does not perform up to today's equipment standards…

I stated "Pushing" above…Maybe a better word is "Nudging"

First Off…I do love the old stuff, and have worked on/resurrected Old custom stuff (from before Cruisair was main stream) older than what you have…Some of it is still working very well today.

Thing is I have been through this type situation enough times to always come away thinking…It wasn't really fair to the customer if I didn't warn of this happening…and the money he spent could have gone toward today's technology & performance…

Most times you go in thinking…I'll just fix this…Next thing you know…Wow !

There…At least "I" feel better now…

Steve~