A/C Retro-fit

[Full Moon]

My 70 Convertible has a split A/C unit and both condenser/air handlers leak freon. Has anyone converted to squirrel cage type units? I have the original propeller type fans now.

 

[jim rosenthal]

FWIW, my experience with AC suppliers is that they would rather not replace part of an old system. If these are split systems (Compressor etc in the engine room, airhandler and evaporator in the passenger spaces), they will want to replace the entire system. However, if they are working well, they may agree to do it. The old systems are CruiseAire which are good and reliable however not as modern as some of the newer ones like Marine Air Systems. You might be better off deciding which one you use the most and just replacing that entire system with a new one with digital controls. I don't think you can replace just the blower unit.
If you are determined to replace only the blower, you might look in WW Grainger and see what they have that will fit.

 

[67hat34c]

there are 2 types of evaporators, blow through and draw through. blow through has the fan behind the coil and blows air directly through it. draw through has fan on the other side and draws air through the unit. Typicaly draw through is used where the coil is mounted low and you duct the output air to a vent or multi vents. Blow through is used where the coil is mounted right behind the vent. The old units are typicaly blow through. Squirl cage typicaly takes up too much room.

We have 67 34c and did not want to hack up the boat or lose space so we had new evaporators cusom made with blade fans. the new blade fans are much quieter than the old ones. the are more of a turbine design. Ocean Breeze in Stuart made the units for us. 100% stainless chassis and Cupronickle tubing. very high quality units. I will be going down to the boat this weekend and can photo the units. we still have not built the box around them and are not running filters yet so you can see them. Our evaporator cores are bigger than original ones because we increased the btu's of the system, however they can make what ever you want and it does not cost any more than buying an off the shelf unit.