Post edited 12:14 pm – June 17, 2011 by Steve Pooler

Ultimate Indulgence said:

I have in the master stateroom, a MarineAir C16H-Z, 220V unit with a square MarineAir control panel.  Since I've had the boat, this AC has had a slow leak, and the "Freon" light will come on.  It still cools, but the compressor gets too hot.  That's one issue with it.…Best to find that leak or the compressor will die from overheating… 

 

Another is that the fan is at one continuous speed, which seems very slow to me.  Is there a way to adjust that?

What happens if you press & hold that fan button down ?

That is an old control that they don't supply manuals for anymore (or replacement parts, for that matter) but if I'm remembering correctly your 45 C Hatt had two air handlers on that system (Master SR & Fwd SR) It was originally Cruisair stuff so at least the parts you show are not what came in the boat (But neither is the Salon system at 24,000 Btu)…Anyway…Those air handlers are much smaller & don't move near the air that the salon does…Could that be your issue here ?

 

And the other issue is that this unit, as well as my salon unit (Cruisair F24C-P) are both on one circulating pump.  In order for the pump to run, this stateroom unit must be on.  And even then, the pump is running 24-7.  Is there a way to wire/program the pump to run only when needed for one AC, the other, or both?

Those two systems should be connected to a pump relay…In your case it may be a blue box with a model of SA-10 on it if it is the original from Cruisair…It could also be a PR-8X….Follow the pumps wire to where it terminates and you should find the relay box…Let me know if it's there…And if so…get me a model if you can…

Could have been removed too…No telling…

This article should explain pump relays somewhat: http://marine-ac.com/2009/08/0…..mp-relays/

Steve~

 

Thanks,

Jason

 

P.S.  45' Hatteras Convertible, Melbourne FL.

 

Post edited 8:08 pm – June 17, 2011 by Steve Pooler

Ultimate Indulgence said:

All the units in my boat are aftermarket replacements.  The forward stateroom AC is completely independent (it's a CM6H-Z), with its own circulating pump.  I'll tear into the stateroom under the bed tomorrow and see where those pump wires go.…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to imply that the fwd unit with it's own pump has anything to do with the units in the engine room that are supplied by their own Same pump…Those two work on their own, and should have a pump relay to start the pump that supplies them no matter which is running at that time….

 

As for holding down the fan button…the only three buttons on the unit are Power, Up, and Down (Setpoint).  Is there a way to hold one or more of them down to get it to program?  Can that control be swapped for an FX1?

Yes I believe there was a way to control the fan with that control…Just not sure I can remember how…Sometimes memories like that come back to me at the strangest times…If it does, I'll let you know…I'm thinking it was a combo of buttons…Just don't remember the combo….You may want to check if you are getting full line voltage to the fan motor to tell for sure if we need to play with it…

Yes the control can be swapped or retrofitted…But look at this thread please….http://marine-ac.com/forum/ac-…..ire/#p1619

He started out in another thread with a noisy unit…Now he bought a FX-1 and is getting no support….

I'm here with Marine Air & Cruisair Controls….

Steve~

Ultimate Indulgence said:

Just got off the boat…with photos.  The pump is wired directly to the stateroom AC.  In fact, I followed the wire from the pump, and it plugs into the blue box in the ER that says MarineAir on it.  I'll attach a photo from the top of that box looking down to the plug.  I also removed the bed and supports to get to the handler.  I'll attached a photo of that as well.  So, from what I can see, the circulating pump has only ever been wired to run continuously, since it has no connection to the salon AC whatsoever…am I correct?  Is there a simple way to correct that?…

From the picture that looks like the Marine Air condensing unit's electrical box…I see what looks like a service valve next to it. (BTW those are not "Plugs" but are chafe guards for the wire to pass thru)…I'm guessing the pump is connected to a terminal strip inside that box If that smaller wire runs directly to the pump with no box in-between.

You will need a Pump Relay box which is separate…Each of those engine room units will then connect to the relay box from the compressor circuit (so that the pump can cycle with the compressors) The seawater pump will then connect to the relay box terminals labeled Pump…The relay should be powered by it's own breaker in the main panel, but if space is not available for another breaker, you can tap into either one of those units breakers, but you will need to always have that breaker on to feed the relay (even if you are not using that unit that you tapped off of)

 

As for the refrigerant leak, Steve, do you make it to the east coast at all?

Sorry…I think the last time I was on the east coast of FL was at least 15 years ago…

Went fishing out of Stuart… 

 

Thanks,

Jason

 

The pump is the plug on the right of the picture.

Yes that system can be repaired & new control with fan speeds retrofitted to it…Thing is is it worth it to you ?

Leaks can be at many different locations…Sometimes hard to pinpoint, and sometimes expensive to fix…Other times it's as simple as a loose service cap…

I show that C-16 model as being produced between 1987-1989 so it could be up to 23 years old…

It's dirty, but from what I can see it doesn't seem rusted badly…I will say that the compressor is a model that though almost bulletproof…Was pretty inefficient….

How far away is that air handler from the engine room seawater pump ?…Or maybe the fwd system pump ? (maybe enlarge it & install the pump relay there ?)

One fairly simple upgrade that you could do yourself is a self contained unit in place of that air handler…Looks to be plenty of room, power is already at that silver control box, duct & condensate drain is there….All you would need to address is seawater supply….

A new self contained "Turbo" unit would likely be quieter, move more air, has new control, warranty, and is 27% more efficient than that system and also has the new refrigerant…Plus you save the labor by doing it yourself if you are handy enough…I can walk you thru it…

And since it is fully operational…Sell that old system on E-bay or Craig list to recoup some of the cost…

Here is a link to show specs etc: http://www.dometic.com/enus/Am…..taid=84876

Steve~

Ultimate Indulgence said:

Steve Pooler said:

Yes that system can be repaired & new control with fan speeds retrofitted to it…Thing is is it worth it to you ?

Leaks can be at many different locations…Sometimes hard to pinpoint, and sometimes expensive to fix…Other times it's as simple as a loose service cap…

I show that C-16 model as being produced between 1987-1989 so it could be up to 23 years old…

It's dirty, but from what I can see it doesn't seem rusted badly…I will say that the compressor is a model that though almost bulletproof…Was pretty inefficient….

How far away is that air handler from the engine room seawater pump ?…Or maybe the fwd system pump ? (maybe enlarge it & install the pump relay there ?)

 

The air handler is against the engine room bulkhead…on the other side of that bulkhead is the compressor…within 3 feet.  The seawater pump is in the back of the engine room…beneath the 24k unit for the salon.

 

One fairly simple upgrade that you could do yourself is a self contained unit in place of that air handler…Looks to be plenty of room, power is already at that silver control box, duct & condensate drain is there….All you would need to address is seawater supply….

 

 Water is already run up there…so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

A new self contained "Turbo" unit would likely be quieter, move more air, has new control, warranty, and is 27% more efficient than that system and also has the new refrigerant…Plus you save the labor by doing it yourself if you are handy enough…I can walk you thru it…

 

I'm pretty handy…never worked with AC though, but a self contained unit wouldn't be any problem for me.  How would the noise/vibration be with a compressor directly under the bed?  Would I hear it cycling?

These Turbo units are so quiet I have yet to sell one with the optional sound shield for the compressor…Either at the time of sale, or after…But they are simple to add later…

 

And since it is fully operational…Sell that old system on E-bay or Craig list to recoup some of the cost…

 

What's something like this worth…any ideas?

That's hard to say…The system as a whole may be worth less than parting it out…I'm sure there are folks looking for that control package since no parts are available for them…I think the condensing unit would go next…The blower on the air handler is worth something too because it's motor (or the complete blower is no longer offered) and the replacement for that blower is over $600…

I try to sell functional used parts for half of new retail….Don't always get it, but it's a starting point…

 

Here is a link to show specs etc: http://www.dometic.com/enus/Am…..taid=84876

 

Steve~

 

Jason