A/C System replacement

[jujubeeuofa]

Good evening, I have a 1997 54ft Convertible. The A/C system has finally failed and we are looking to replace with something new. Would love a plug and play system, but i know the controllers and wall plates have changed over the years. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Boatsb]

24 years on the old one? I'd say don't change the design if it works. Replace with similar. Maybe replace the copper too. 24 years is pretty good lifetimes.

 

[Pascal]

Most controllers are compatible with a variety of systems but frankly the controllers are the least expensive part of a new system

What do you have now? Cruisair with remote condensers?

Personally I would stay the hell away from Cruisair. They were great 10 or 30 years ago but nowadays their stuff rarely makes it to 10 years. I ve seen 6 year old air handlers fail and 7 year old condensers crap out on boats I ve run. Oh and a 9 year old 72k BTU chiller ($$$)... all proudly wearing Cruisair logos.

check out Ocean Breeze and Flagship in Stuart FL. Small US companies with great service, solid designs and cheaper than cruisair 3 years ago in converted by boat to a dual chiller system from Flagship, solid stuff

 

[Captain Ralph]

Most controllers are compatible with a variety of systems but frankly the controllers are the least expensive part of a new system

What do you have now? Cruisair with remote condensers?

Personally I would stay the hell away from Cruisair. They were great 10 or 30 years ago but nowadays their stuff rarely makes it to 10 years. I ve seen 6 year old air handlers fail and 7 year old condensers crap out on boats I ve run. Oh and a 9 year old 72k BTU chiller ($$$)... all proudly wearing Cruisair logos.

check out Ocean Breeze and Flagship in Stuart FL. Small US companies with great service, solid designs and cheaper than cruisair 3 years ago in converted by boat to a dual chiller system from Flagship, solid stuff

Complete agreement.

 

[motoryacht lover]

Say it ain’t so. I just replaced 3 out of 5 with new Dometics (cruisaire). What I am hearing is that there was an out of country sub contractor that was making the coils and they were inferior. Supposedly that situation has been solved. I will say that 410A being a mix (??) will present problems regardless of brand. So far I have been happy with the performance of the new systems, now have to see about reliability. Also Dometic has great service in just about anywhere on the coastal east coast.

 

[Boatsb]

Cruisair is not bad. Not an evil company and not selling garbage at gold prices.

They do offer great service.

They also sell lower cost products as the market demands. Known what your buying.

Most problems I run into are DIY installed poorly. Bad retrofit ideas and not well designed.

 

[Captain Ralph]

If you are happy, then life is good. Per your text, will see about life and dependability.

Anybody can service the stuff and still get paid for warranty work (joke $). Finding a shop that wants to service it a few more years will be the next issue.

 

[car54]

I really like ocean breeze. Saw em in action and they looked like a great product. I know the owner was happy. Thats what I plan to go with when mine take a crap.

 

[jmooney]

I have stayed with Dometic , a good A/C tech can change the compressor to use the older controls .