Cruisair Questions

[rustybucket]

Hello all, i've tried to register over at marineac.com to ask these questions on the forums there but can't seem to get registered for it, so I'm going to post them here.

Basically I'm trying to go through our AC/Heat systems and repair/fix/learn about them. My goal is to become knowledgeable enough to service/repair them myself. Not so much b/c I want to save money, more about being able to fix/repair them when we are in remote locations and no repair people are available.

So, to start I'm pretty much ignorant on this subject lol. I've been reading quite a bit about marine ac systems so I think I kinda have my mind wrapped around the concepts involved.

To start, we have 4 cruisair systems on our 1986 52c. 3 appear to the be the same size and service all 3 staterooms. And one unit serves the main salon and galley.

I do know that the master stateroom system appears to be working properly. It will cool/heat the master stateroom fairly well.

I do also know that there are capacitors and possibly a relay missing out of at least one of the other stateroom units.

You can see the unit on the left (one of the staterooms) here missing capacitors.


So I guess my first question, anyone happen to know what size units these may be? Also, what size capacitors go into these units?

Here are some pics that may help with identification.

 

[rustybucket]

Here is the main salon/galley unit

 

[Boatsb]

the model numbers are in the pics

FAN XXX
WFA XXX

 

[rustybucket]

I have been told that one of the compressors for one of the staterooms is bad. While I don't mind farming this work out, I would REALLY like to do it myself and learn along the way.

I have already purchased a fieldpiece electronic hvac manifold to keep on the boat.

 

[rustybucket]

So one of them is

WFAH24C

and the other is

WFAH5

I've googled both of those but didn't return with much.

 

[MVCaprice]

I have always been told that the charging of the systems requires tool etc which make it worthwhile to hire someone. However i have been installing control systems on ours and working on the electrical which is fairly basic for both the 110 and 220volt units. I see that you have your factory diagrams which makes it pretty easy.

Based on the numbers you provided it looks like the *24* is a 24000 BTU and the *5* is a 5000 BTU. I would imagine the 24000 is 220. Sound like you may need a new 5-7000 BTU 110 Cabin unit?

Here is a link to an old cruisair spec sheet which may or may not help: http://www.tropicalmarineairconditioning.com/sheets/L-0200.pdf

BTW, Why has your cabin condensing unit compressor failed? High current and no A/C? I'm curious what your symptoms are. You should be able to just replace the compressor. I would get the part number off the top of the compressor and look for that...

 

[Boatsb]

None of the units are current therefore finding information on Google may be tough.

I have access to a lot of the old documentation along with what new replacement units need to be ordered 2 work with what you have.

 

[rustybucket]

None of the units are current therefore finding information on Google may be tough.

I have access to a lot of the old documentation along with what new replacement units need to be ordered 2 work with what you have.

Any chance you happen to know what capacitors the units would have came with?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Any chance you happen to know what capacitors the units would have came with?

If there are numbers on them you might google them. I had no problem finding the right stuff on home HVAC systems.

 

[rustybucket]

If there are numbers on them you might google them. I had no problem finding the right stuff on home HVAC systems.

Kinda part of the problem is that I don't really trust what is currently installed.

 

[Boatsb]

Don't trust the bubba that was in there last.

You can probably get manuals on the old units if you get in touch with a dealer. I'm not sure it's online

 

[Reefgeorge]

As stated above, electrical repair with good diagrams is pretty easy. Between that and basic maintainance skills you can work on the electrical, cooling water system, and airflow which solves a lot of problems. A compressor replacement is another matter. In order to do it right, you'll need a reclaim machine and cylinder, a vacuum pump, a micron vacuum gauge, a torch set up and brazing skills, a nitrogen cylinder, fittings, tubing, cutters, valves, the refrigerant ( which requires an EPA license) and if it's R22, over $300 a container, the EPA license to even legally hook up the gauges and some knowledge on the subject. Don't get me wrong, you can do all of this as a layperson on the subject - I did, including the proctered EPA test with a full Universal certification but you really have to love refrigeration and want to spend that kind of scratch for this one subject. The brazing skills alone are a big hurdle with those small 1/4" thin wall tubes so close to the control box and reversing valve. I had to do a lot of test brazing in my workshop before I tackled my first compressor replacement. I'm sure net net I have not saved any money, I just like to learn new things.

If you do long term cruising I would have extra pump triggers and possibly a spare control board and cabin control unit. I built up this stock with rebuilt units over the years. That gets you back up and running from most failures. Another thing that is cheap and easy to get a jump on a system that is failing or needs service/maintainance is to get a delta T (the difference between the closest vent output from the evaporator and in temp into the evaporator right after a service when the unit is five by five and then monitor this regularly. It should be around 18 a 25F when healthy. When it drops to around 15 then the system needs something. This only works when the cabin is at the control temp and cycling. I have all the equipment and this is how I monitor my systems to know I have work to do because it's easier than hooking up gauges and takes no time at all. That way you don't get surprised at the wrong time with a system ahut down. Once a year I check everything properly.

George