Ac Lo ??

[bobk]

I got that message last night on the smart AC controller. Shut it off and restarted and it ran OK. What's the message mean?

Bob

 

[chris]

I got that message last night on the smart AC controller. Shut it off and restarted and it ran OK. What's the message mean?

Bob

Bob
Thats a good question. I get the same thing on mine from time to time. I thought the pump may have been getting weak, so I took it it apart and found nothing wrong. Magnet was strong and it pumped water out of a bucket really strong. The water flow out of the through hull is not as strong though. I plan to check that next.
Chris

 

[Genesis]

Probably a low voltage warning.

 

[bobk]

I didn't check voltage. I did worry about Freon, but suspect they can't measure Freon in a sealed system. It hasn't happened today. Thanks.

Bob

 

[Genesis]

Some compressor systems have both high and low pressure switches; these CAN be connected to the controls. But if it was a retrofit, that's at least somewhat unlikely (on low head anyway)

Low voltage, on the other hand, the electronic controls try hard to avoid, as that burns up compressors quite reliably. This is one of the advantages of the electronic controls (superior protection against such things)

 

[fixin-to-cruise]

From the Cruisair Owner's Operation Manual....

LO/AC Operating voltage remained below 100 for 3 minutes or more
LO/PS Suction Pressure remained below 30 psi for 2 minutes or more
HI/PS Head pressure above 400 to 425 psi
PE Program error in software

You might want to put a voltmeter on an outlet in your boat. Long term low voltage is bad for the compressors. If you have low voltage try another shore power plug.

 

[Pascal]

if your main voltemeters can't be easily seen depending on panel location, you can get a plug volt/freq meter and put in in a outlet that you can easily monitor... i have a Shurite, it's a great tool to have to check voltage and freq, esp when running on genset

 

[krush]

Low voltage causes the more current to go thru the windings in the compressor. More current = more heat. More heat = bad haha.

P = IV (Power = Volts * currents). Voltage drops, need more current to produce the same amount of power (watts). Current determines the gauge of the wire, voltages determines the thickness of the insulation.

Sorry if I nerded it up. If you have a cooling problem it may be low on refridgerent. That's a ballgame I can help with too, but you need the correct gauges etc. It is sort of a science and an art.

If you are getting low voltages and the unit is 120 volt, make sure you check ur neutral...bad neutrals are just like bad grounds on 12v systems....headache galore and wierd readings. (A bad neutral can cause a 120 circuit to drop volage but the other phase will go UP in voltage). You must measure voltages under load too.

I rambled too much...sorry.

 

[bobk]

This is a 120 volt unit. The ship's system is 240 volt and comes in via the transformer.

We are at Hampton YC now and their power is marginal. It is supposed to be 208V, but reading at the pedestal is 200-204 and that is consistant with the voltmeter on my panel. With two units running, I'm seeing just under 200V, and the smart unit is again indicating AC LO. So I guess it is a shore voltage issue. All the units were checked a month ago and all had proper charge based on the tech's feeling the freon pipes.

Should I be checking anything else? And will I hurt them at this voltage?

Bob