You must be logged in to post Login Register


Register? | Lost Your Password?

Search Forums:


 






Minimum search word length is 3 characters – Maximum search word length is 84 characters
Wildcard Usage:
*  matches any number of characters    %  matches exactly one character


Forum
Marine-AC Topics
Troubleshooting
Loud compressor and smoke !

Loud compressor and smoke !
Print this Topic
Page:   1  
Post
Member

Trawler Scott

posts 3

11:38 am June 14, 2011
Print this Post
1
0

This morning our forward air (self contained Ocean breeze) was getting a little loud which is not completely out of character with these units. I ignored it for a little while but the noise increased and became abnormal even for these vibration machines so I got up to investigate. I found a light haze/smoke filled salon and it seamed that the compressor was VERY hot so I shut the unit down thinking it was toast.

I spent a few hours researching on here and then decided to see what it would do, well it's been running smoothly and at a normal sound level for a hour now. During this hour the marina shut the power off for about 5 minutes (with no notice) and the unit restarted normally.

Could a problem with the shorepower have caused this ? Do you think the unit has permanant damage ? how paranoid should I be about running it now ?

 

Thanks

Scott
Member

Trawler Scott

posts 3

12:12 pm June 14, 2011
Print this Post
2
0

Post edited 12:17 pm – June 14, 2011 by Trawler Scott

I thought I should add that both units are cooling well. I did do a acid flush about a week ago when I noticed less flow out of the aft unit, they are on the same pump and this made a noticeable change for the better in cooling. I am not sure this could have had any affect on what happened this morning.

I did inspect all the wiring and saw no signs of heat damage at all.
Admin

Steve Pooler

posts 1127

1:27 pm June 14, 2011
Print this Post
3
0

Hi Scott

What do they say ?….Where There's Smoke….  Cry

Yes it could have been a shore power issue…Either too little, or too much voltage…

Has the marina told you what the issue was with the power outage ???

I don't think I would run it unattended until you, or a electrician has had a chance to inspect Everything related to the A/C's power from the back side of the shore inlet receptacle to the A/C unit itself…Somewhere is a overheated connection or at least burn't insulation to make that smoke…Gotta Find It or risk Fire…

 

Please let us know what you find…

Steve~
Member

Trawler Scott

posts 3

1:42 pm June 14, 2011
Print this Post
4
0

Post edited 1:45 pm – June 14, 2011 by Trawler Scott

I think I found the smoke culprit, the split black plastic wire loom running to the fan was melted and stuck to the side of the compressor. The compressor was hotter than I have seen before, no way you could have even touched it. I have not found out what the issue was with the marina power, I will ask.

 

Thanks

Scott

edited to add : the compressors always seam pretty hot but I can touch for a few seconds, I think I would have left skin behind if I would have tried that this time. It is still humming along like normal right now.
Admin

Steve Pooler

posts 1127

2:50 pm June 14, 2011
Print this Post
5
0

Scott~

If it's a Rotary compressor (wire connections on top) as opposed to a piston type compressor…

It's the nature of the Rotary's to run hot due to the shell of the compressor is the hot gas discharge can…

But if your's is running hotter than normal there can be a few reasons…

  • Dirty condenser or reduced water flow causing higher than normal head pressure…
  • But we do have warmer seawater this time of year that can cause the same thing…Higher head pressure….
  • Either will make the compressor work harder & draw more amperage too…
  • Low Dock voltage causes higher amp draw…which indicates the motor is working harder…Equals more heat…
  • Low freon charge…Not enough returning to cool the compressor
Steve~
Page:   1  
Topic RSS

About the marine-ac.com Forum

Forum Timezone: America/New_York

Most Users Ever Online: 29

Currently Online:
13 Guests

Currently Browsing this Topic:
1 Guest

Forum Stats:

Groups: 5
Forums: 11
Topics: 398
Posts: 2369

Membership:

There are 334 Members
There have been 143 Guests

There are 2 Admins
There is 1 Moderator

Top Posters:

GeorgeH – 47
Angela – 45
z28jimi – 25
MexicoMike – 21
reefgeorge – 21
ThirdHatt – 18
davidwigler – 17
Mr. Dee – 17
biohazard – 17
mixman – 16
Ultimate Indulgence – 15
sabrejocky – 14

Recent New Members: becsvet, adjustrite, blackwatch30, DWB, Raymond, pbrads1021, sizematters, cgeist, TMorse, Iproff, Ernie Jones, Holsum69

Administrators: Steve Pooler (1127 Posts), Scott Pooler (13 Posts)

Moderators: Steve Pooler (1127 Posts)



 
Bookmark and Share