Desperately seeking an A/C guru on an older Cruisair unit.

[Vince]

Good Morning Gang!

I know someone on here has expertise in this exact topic, so I'm hoping to get some feedback while I still have time this weekend to do repairs!

I'm working on a 52C with the typical 4 a/c units. Also have one on the bridge, but that is of no consequence for this topic. The other day when it was blistering hot, I had all 5 units on and a microwave. We tripped the ships main breaker. After resetting the main, I started having trouble with the salon a/c. First it was trying to come-on....would run for 10 seconds and shut off. Then it just stopped altogether....nothing!

I have a little electrical knowledge so I assumed that having the power dump while under such a load, probably blew my "start" and/or "run" capacitors on the unit, so I hunted-down some matching caps. After putting them in....still nothing. I'm not good enough to diagnose the entire control box of the a/c units, so I'm looking for advice. I generally don't trust a/c companies to either know what they are doing or not try to sell me a new salon a/c. These things will run forever with minimal maintenance.

So, here's what I have. The unit acts like it's not getting power. When the stat is dialed down, absolutely nothing happens, except the salon fan come's on. The unit isn't bringing on the raw water pump and isn't trying to start....just nothing.

Note....The stat will cycle the changeover valve from heat to cool...that's it!

OK good citizens of Sam's....I could really use a boost from one of you guys who's seen it all!

Thanks,
Vince

 

[Pascal]

Anything is possible but I don't see how shutting down the power or trip breaker will cause any damage to an air con system incl the capacitors. If that was the case, you d have issue whenever power goes out or when transferring power to and from shore

You need to find, or download the actual wiring diagram for yr system and see what sends the run signal to the compressor and to the pump relay/trigger

If the blower runs, and the breaker doesn't trip , then the problem is with the board not sending a run signal

 

[captddis]

If it is a analog control, it is likely a trigger in the power relay. If digital then likely a triac

 

[Vince]

So that I'm clear....are the devices that everyone's calling a "trigger", narrow relays with a small circuit board attached? They are screwed directly to a main terminal strip and connect through the screws? Sorry, I just don't know the term. Not much room to put eyeballs on anything. Going to try to take some pictures.

 

[captddis]

First what control do you have? or call me

 

[Vince]

Hey Dave:

Thanks for the reply! Posting pictures of my control box and what I believe to be a trigger. Actually, I'm not sure how to test it (jump it). What is going through the contacts, the twisted wires that got to the circuit board? IF so, I should be able to jump across those two contacts on the circuit board and the unit should fire up.

There is a second control box that appears to be the pump controller. It has 4 triggers....I guess associated with the four A/C units that can bring on the pump.

I have to assume that my problem lies within the main control box, as the other units will bring on the pump just fine. I appear to not be getting anything out of the main controller.

Stats are old Honeywell units...possibly line voltage. They have knobs on the top to wind down or wind up the temperature. Not very good stats, but just giving details.

 

[SEVEN]

Mine was just repaired last week and he replaced the start trigger. I was not here when he did the work so I cannot tell you how or where the trigger is located. All I know is it works. Mine was doing exactly what yours is doing. Good luck.

 

[captddis]

Yes that is the trigger for the power relay and there is a triac in there too. The purple wire is the compressor. Most likely the trigger. The red and black is 230 and black and white is 115

 

[Vince]

Thanks all! Good hearing from you Dave!

Looks like I can buy one of these triggers on line for about 65 bucks. Maybe I'll just order one.
Wish there was some way to bypass or jump it out, to make sure it's the problem.

I guess I could rob one of the other ones and test it in place. With my luck, I'd just f-up something else! Best I not mess with things that are working!

 

[captddis]

You can jump it out, It is just switch for the triac. It maybe easier just to rob a trigger. Did you search the boat ? I think I saw a trigger...

 

[captddis]

You can jump the trigger, it is just a switch for the triac. Did you search the boat? I thought I saw one in the dinette drawer....

 

[Vince]

Thanks again Dave!

No, I've been through those drawers a dozen times. Just took another look and no luck!
I may try jumping it out, just for kicks and giggles, but will probably just order one real quick.

Thanks for the help!

Vince

 

[Entonces]

Hey all, jumping in this thread as I have lost my saloon a/c & bow a/c. So before calling an A/C tech, Saloon a/c I had a friend (Unlimited HP Engineer) test and he believes the compressor is shot. On the bow a/c unit, unit will do the same as thread question, will kick on for some minutes and then trip its own breaker off (stbd. side) where as the saloon a/c tripped whole 110 port side & its 220. As for the bow a/c, I had a start capacitor (bought for the saloon a/c & appeared not the issue) and put it on that unit to no avail. Another friend suggested to check water pump in genni room feeding bow a/c. PO has stated the bow a/c would trip off after going on shore pwr but after resetting breaker 1-2 times, would stay on and did for me as well for the first 3 months. Have not been home long enough to check water pump but just wanted some input from you'll if I'm going the the right track? If matters, I'm on shore pwr. w/ 50amp cable.
Thanks,

 

[Vince]

Dave and all:

Thanks for the replies! So far, I've replaced the trigger with a new one and both the start and run capacitors. Still getting nothing from the unit....no hum, no click, nothing.

I'll have to do some digging into a deeper problem. Just wish I knew how to diagnose the triac.

Yeah....I know I could just call someone, but that's not my style. I've got gas, gauges and a meter. I'm going to figure this out if it kills me! I guess I should meter the compressor to see if I have an open or grounded winding. A/C mechanics love to tell you that your unit is shot and it really doesn't happen that often. The units are hermetically sealed and designed to run for a long time.

Just look at how many old refrigerators are hanging around! I just need to find the problem!