Shut off your marine AC unit and troubleshoot the fan and adjoining areas. Whenever you experience this problem, check that water is flowing through the AC unit. The Passport I/O Environmental Control is a microprocessor-based controller, designed for the precise monitoring of direct expansion and chilled water air conditioning systems in marine environments. Learn about eight most common problems that are seen in ship's refrigerated system. The main cause of this issue is restricted airflow and can be corrected by removing the obstruction. Then the refrigerant returns to the expansion valve and the cycle begins again. Faulty bearings can also make the pump loud. Remove accumulated growth and move the valves frequently, especially if the boat will be out of the water for extended periods. We covered this at length in the troubleshooting section. Check for marine growth, large particles, sea scum, and debris. Check that the AC pump is working as it provides cooling water to allow the unit operates without problems. Pressure equals heat, so to cool the gas on the downstream side of the compressor it’s run through a raw-water-cooled condenser, which returns the refrigerant to a liquid state. Marine Air Conditioning Refrigeration and Electrical repair service JDM Marine Co San Diego. Normal temperatures. Many skippers never switch to reverse cycle, but they should: There’s a reversing valve in the system that can stick if it’s not activated regularly. Here’s how to troubleshoot that air-conditioning system. But this may prove difficult based on the model and your experience. Clean with a blower if you notice debris or dust buildup. All Rights Reserved. Repairs come backed with a one year warranty covering parts and our labor. After leaving the evaporator, the refrigerant, now a low-pressure gas, travels to a compressor which once again pumps it up to many times normal atmospheric pressure. The compressor pumps hot, pressurized refrigerant into the air handler where it transfers its heat to the cabin via the flow of cool cabin air over the coils. Clean the relevant sea strainer once a month (or more often in tropical waters), and whenever your air-conditioning system is functioning, keep an eye on its raw-water discharge to ensure the flow is unrestricted. The AC pump in your boat is a vital component that must work perfectly to keep your vessel cool. Don’t let the dog days of summer make you swelter. Most marine air conditioners have a reverse-cycle mode, which changes the flow of refrigerant and turns the system into a heat pump. Most air-conditioning systems are “direct expansion”: they pump refrigerant directly to air handlers in the boat’s living spaces. The first step is to clean and clear the pan nipple of any debris that might restrict the flow of water. Sometimes, the noise is because of friction and some lubrication will stop it. Summer's here, is your boat's air-conditioning system up for the job? It might be blocked, kinked or misaligned. This issue occurs when the high-pressure switch, i.e., RESET activates while the air conditioner is operating in HEAT mode. Check the drain hose. It can also be because of a short circuit in the compressor and this requires a replacement by a professional. Air Marine Systems, Inc 2701 Sonic Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23461 757-468-9400 voice 757-468-9666 fax sales@airmarsys.com: Clean the existing duct system or increase the vents for adequate airflow. So one of the easiest and most inexpensive problems to fix on our air conditioning troubleshooting mission is to make sure windows or doors are closed; otherwise you are undermining your air conditioner’s efficiency. We specialize in repair and installation of marine air conditioning, refrigeration and icemakers. If the difference is less, the problem could be a loss of refrigerant charge; although the system is supposed to be a closed loop, sometimes refrigerant leaks out. The proper position of the thermostat is the evaporator discharge. Reassemble in case of misalignment and replace if it has extensive kinks. Over time, excessive amounts of materials in the sea strainer that acts as a barrier between the water and the thru-hull can cause a blockage. Don’t whale on it too hard, though.). If the strainer is clear but an insufficient amount of water seems to be running through the system anyway, the cause could be a bad water-pump impeller, an easy fix for most skippers. Morten is the founder of GoDownsize. Test the fan with a jumper to determine if it’s still working. Phone: 727-492-2622. If you live in a place with humid summers and cruise on mosquito-infested waters, a working AC unit is a must. A leaking hose is not only bad for your AC unit, but it can flood your boat and even sink it if you are running the system while the boat is empty. Efficient heat exchange at the condenser demands a free flow of raw water, of course, which means keeping the supply side clear. The compressor works but the fan doesn’t. This Dometic split-system-type air conditioner separates air handler/evaporator (left) and condenser/compressor (right). Marine Air began building air conditioning systems for boats in 1977. 2790 Kurtz , San Diego, CA 92110 It can also be a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse which will need a replacement. Marine growth can also clog condenser coils. troubleshooting and maintenance and provide technical support for a wide variety of equipment including: Webasto Blue Heat, Proheat, and Propex Heatsource Marine Forced Air and Hydronic Diesel Heaters Eno, Dickinson, Force10 Manufacturing, Gas Systems, Hillerange, Kenyon, Origo, The refrigerant then flows through the expansion valve to the condenser, where the now very cold refrigerant picks up heat from the seawater and carries it through the compressor to the cabin. Malfunctioning solenoids can compromise the AC’s function. You can also experience this problem if the thermostat is set too low. But an ailing marine air conditioning system can spoil the fun and force you to a nearby hotel. View & download of more than 1 Marine Air Systems PDF user manuals, service manuals, operating guides. Replace or service the seawater pump if it is failing and change kinked hoses. Air Marine Systems is a reseller of new and used aviation and marine spare parts. Replacement Cruisair parts for units - SXR, SXF, STX, STQ. As the phase-converting refrigerant passes through the evaporator coils, it gets colder but more gaseous (because it’s boiling), and absorbs heat from the surrounding air. Since many marine air conditioning systems function around the clock, drawing in raw water continuously, ongoing maintenance is crucial to ensure optimum performance. Some Older Cruisair Parts and Marine Air Systems Parts Are still Available Like - Blowers, Circuit boards, displays, and Keypads for older Marine Air Conditioners like Marine Air VCD, VCP, VRP, VHE. But the unit can stop working without notice. You can change a burned fuse or tripped circuit breaker, but don’t attempt retrofitting your marine AC unit’s electrical connections except you are qualified. It makes the evaporator dusty and decreases its heat-dissipating abilities. If your air conditioner won't turn on, it's important to troubleshoot a few key things before you call in an HVAC technician, as this can save you time and - more importantly - money. The first thing you should do if it’s way too hot belowdecks is to clean the filter—vacuum it, wash it, do whatever the owner’s manual tells you. Depending on the brand and model of air conditioner, the following are things to check when you have issues with your boat AC. The evaporator’s duct might be too lengthy or kinked in places, causing a heat build-up that triggers the RESET button. The most important maintenance check for your marine AC unit is to ensure the water intake strainer is in excellent form. Make sure the sea cock is open and prime the pump to activate. Check your boat for any spaces that can allow warm air into the cabin. While you’re cleaning that filter, incidentally, check the condensate pan under the evaporator for water. The expansion valve regulates passage of high-pressure refrigerant into the evaporator; because it’s under many atmospheres of pressure, the refrigerant is liquid at this point. It also lists the activities which are not DIYable and so you can call professionals. A professional marine air conditioner technician has requisite experience and up-to-date tools to perform in-depth diagnostic tests, repairs, and maintenance to bring your unit up to speed. Morten teaches that on his YouTube Channel. Manufacturers recommend flushing the condenser coils to remove marine scum and scale every two to five years based on the frequency of use or location. If you turn on your boat AC unit but can’t feel or hear anything, it could be from different factors but all of them are related to your electrical circuitry. Check that the AC pump works properly and replace if faulty. The colder the water, the more efficient the cooling, but most air conditioners will work fine to water temps into the 80-degree range, sometimes warmer. Check the condenser filter. This problem is usually the result of insufficient ventilation. Marine AC Information. At the end of this piece, you will know the basics to keep your air conditioner in top shape. Our marine air conditioning systems are designed to be as compact as possible. Circuit Breaker Triggers Uncontrollably, 9. Here, your boat’s AC unit works normally, but it’s not discharging any water. Contact a technician if none of the above works. How do you make a living on the road? Because the water flow passing through the strainer is nutrient-rich, critters and small marine life love to lodge in the space. Make sure bleed valve is tightly closed. While you’re looking for the manual, by the way, here are a few things that may come in handy at some point in the near future. Poor or damaged insulation can reduce cooling. The thermostat should be in off position. An award-winning Dometic self-contained turbo unit. If the AC pump is missing fins, has melted components, or worn bearings, replace it. A freezing evaporator can be because the fan is not running efficiently or is damaged. The best way to understand how to care for whatever type of system you’ve got is to take a trip through the system, starting at the expansion valve, located just upstream of the evaporator. Flush the unit with a pressure pump if it is blocked. From 1977 until today, Marine Air Systems has represented innovation in marine air conditioning. Allow them to dry thoroughly before reassembling as moist filters attract dust. But you won’t get the best service from your climate control system without adequate maintenance. Verify seawater temperature. If you explore all options but the noise persists, call a professional. Turn-around-time may vary depending on current in-house workload. (Probably the #1 question we get). Check to see whether the reversing valve sticking produces a hissing noise when you tap it with a screwdriver during operation. Acquired by Dometic from Taylor Made Corporation in 2003, Marine Air is an important part of the Dometic brand portfolio. These are put in place to prevent such occurrences as starting the engine without having a signal from the engine room telegraph, trying to start the engine with the turning gear engaged, or trying to start ahead when the telegraph asks for astern. Either the vents are insufficient or the existing ones are blocked. A chilled-water system, on the other hand, cools fresh water that, in turn, circulates through the air handlers. They mount in line with the interior panels and conserve space. We service Fort Lauderdale, FL, Vero Beach, FL, Tampa, FL, Marco Islands, FL and Key … (PS: We read ALL feedback). A gurgling sound indicates air in the system. Cruisair Price Book; Marine Air. Clogged air conditioning condenser coils can make your boat unbearably hot. Shut off your marine AC unit and troubleshoot the fan and adjoining areas. Email: brad@bradsmarineac.com The wire on the reversing valve solenoid might be loose or worn. Clean with a blower if you notice debris or dust buildup. We have been serving Sarasota, Manatee & Pinellas Counties for over 20 years. If you need to clean the filter more often, try cleaning the cabin. If you take good care of your air-conditioning system, it’ll take good care of you, maybe for decades, says Wright. This makes it imperative to know basic things to troubleshoot when your marine cooling system fails suddenly. Julio Ramirez, a technical advisor with air-conditioning maven Dometic (www.dometic.com), recommends taking the temperatures of the supply and return air with a digital thermometer—it’ll set you back about 20 bucks if you don’t already have one. When this occurs, the evaporator will not dissipate heat effectively. “Marine growth and scale builds up and clogs the coil,” says Wayne Wright (www.wrightmarine.net), a Tampa Bay marine air-conditioning specialist. Make sure the pan is not corroded as this can lead to flooding and will need a repair or replacement. Or it could be the condenser coil. Increase the thermostat setting to remove ice from the system. You can clean the filter but extensive clogging will need a replacement. This option might be costly than DIYing your maintenance, but it will save you time, efforts and help you enjoy more quality time on your boat. Even if your air-conditioning system is working great, clean the filter once a month. Marine HVAC Controls - Dometic, CruisAir, Marine Air, Passport Repair Service. The evaporator/fan/ducting assembly is called an “air handler.” The warm air that’s pulled in from the cabin is called “return” air, while the “supply” air is the cold air coming out of the air handler. After purging the air from the system don’t forget to shut the purging valve. (Nice vacation, huh?) The filters ensure your air conditioner exchanges heat efficiently. For this, you need a professional to find and seal the leak and refill the Freon. Check the drain by blocking it temporarily and filling the pan with fresh water—it should be gone in 30 seconds or less when you unblock the drain. If after going through the troubleshooting, you continue to have problems with your Air Conditioning unit, call King-Air. An overflowing condensation pan can flood your boat if not corrected on time. Need Help? The thermostat might also act up so make sure it works properly. As with virtually every other maintenance project onboard, step one of just about any fix will entail finding and reading the owner’s manual: Everything you can do yourself is explained in there; for everything else, call a pro and join mom and the kids at the hotel pool. Give system time to stabilize. If the thermostat is poorly positioned, it may sense cold temperature and reduce the unit’s cooling effect. (If your reverse-cycle valve sticks, by the way, tapping it lightly may free it; listen for a hiss as it activates. Inspect the raw water strainer and flush if dirty or clogged. Control Unit, user manuals, operating guides & specifications If the boat planes or the waterline changes, it can leave the pump out of the water, preventing it from performing optimally. If the above tips don’t help, call a professional or the manufacturer’s customer support. Inspect the thru-hull, strainer basket, and valves. Air conditioners don’t really produce cold, they remove heat. Activation of High-Pressure Switch in Cool Mode. You may notice that your boat’s AC is not as cool as it used to be despite the compressor and fan working normally. It can also be because of insufficient or blocked supply air grilles. The Air Conditioner Does Not Release Water, 8. Inspect the air filter and clean it for proper ventilation. Check for cracked and leaking hoses, broken, worn and corroded clamps, and replace old components. Most marine FWC thermostats open at 160°F and will be fully open at approximately 180°F. Activation of High-Pressure Switch in HEAT Mode, 7. If required, charge the system with fresh refrigerant. Have spare air conditioning strainers onboard as the constant flow reduces the longevity of the baskets. The manual explains the things you can check in the system and the correct procedure. Efficient heat exchange at the evaporator demands a free-flowing supply of hot or warm air from the cabin. 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