Cruisair all-in-one air con not cooling

[jimmy_the_builder]

What current are you measuring on the start connection when the compressor starts ?

Your diagnosis might be definitive, but only if there is some current through the start winding. In view of the diagnosis I would suggest a hot wire attempt to start the compressor, and I would use a 100 - 150 MFD capacitor. If it already knackered blowing the motor won't make things worse, since for a burnout to contaminate the system the compressor has to be spinning during the burnout.

Start shows c.1A and run shows c.28A (the sticker on the unit says LRA = 32).

Given that there *is* current through both windings, is there any point in trying to hot wire it?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Which is why I'd be very surprised if you've got a failed compressor. I've had a number of Cruisair and Condaria a/c units on boats which have been older than 4 yrs and never had a major problem with any of them save for a sticking seawater pump and a failed condenser. I'm certainly no expert but the failed condenser caused the exact problem you've got ie the compressor not kicking in

Yes but what's happening in my case is that the controller is attempting to start the compressor ie it is sending the correct voltages to the compressor, but the compressor motor itself is locked (ie jammed) and won't turn. It is some sort of physical fault with the compressor motor, which as far as I can tell cannot be repaired and the only solution is to replace either just the compressor or the entire unit. Replacing the compressor is about £800 plus parts; the entire unit is about £1600. I don't know how much the parts are to replace the compressor but I'm guessing there won't be much in it by the time you've taken the compressor, gas and sundries into account.

 

[Portofino]

Over the past decade in SoF I think between my gardien and Sunseeker I have built up a network of "depannarge " guys .
Never mind all that stuff re marketing gods ,silly lifestyle mags , boat show, bond movies -etc -what counts is Apre vent .
Even though I,ve changed brands they still are helpfull.
The A/C man is Innocenzo Tortorelli -Enzo for short -he has a silver van sign written E-electric -it's Allways at Antibes
He,s a self employed boat electrician who S/skr send out .---erh all times
Reason -he carries parts on his van -Allways leaves with the client fixed up and working .
Eg - while installing my new A/C last march ,he noticed after testing ( could not understand the V and Amp guages on the control pannal )that the charger was only giving out 5 A .Its was suppose to do max40A (2001modal ) - so off. He trotted to his van where he had some spare chargers 80-100A dolphin modern all singing / dancing -float down ,bat temp monitoring etc -I got a slighty used 80A fitted -there and then - then he continued with the A/C install .
He also keeps A/C units ,spares -there is no -I need to order the parts mate and I,ll come back next week attitude .
He will get you going with a spare in the van -then you choose to rebook for more work if needed .

I,ll Pm you his number -say hello from me

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yes but what's happening in my case is that the controller is attempting to start the compressor ie it is sending the correct voltages to the compressor, but the compressor motor itself is locked (ie jammed) and won't turn. It is some sort of physical fault with the compressor motor, which as far as I can tell cannot be repaired and the only solution is to replace either just the compressor or the entire unit.

I hesitate to say this but a smart tap with a lump hammer has sometimes worked for me It certainly worked with my sticking seawater pump which then continued to work perfectly for the rest of the time that I owned the boat

 

[superheat6k]

Start shows c.1A and run shows c.28A (the sticker on the unit says LRA = 32).

Given that there *is* current through both windings, is there any point in trying to hot wire it?

You don't want much more than 1a through the start winding, but its the phase shift that counts, hence suggesting a bigger capacitor.

The advice to apply a sharp tap with a lump hammer, but whilst attempting the start, could jerk it free.

To replace a compressor would be about 1/2 day's work, so £800 seems a bit steep (plus parts).

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

You don't want much more than 1a through the start winding, but its the phase shift that counts, hence suggesting a bigger capacitor.

The advice to apply a sharp tap with a lump hammer, but whilst attempting the start, could jerk it free.

To replace a compressor would be about 1/2 day's work, so £800 seems a bit steep (plus parts).

I finally managed to get Phil from Penguin Marine to have a look at the aircon last Friday. He diagnosed a faulty start relay, and ordered a replacement. This turned up this morning and he fitted it and tried again .. and guess what, still not working. He then tried hot-wiring the compressor in much the way recommended by S6K above (using a 175mfd cap, on the advice of Dometic, apparently). Nothing. So the eventual diagnosis is seized compressor. He's currently trying to source a replacement. In the meantime we have cancelled our flights for the coming weekend because a T40 without aircon in SoF in August ain't much fun. Disappointing (and expensive, on all fronts).

 

[rafiki_]

I finally managed to get Phil from Penguin Marine to have a look at the aircon last Friday. He diagnosed a faulty start relay, and ordered a replacement. This turned up this morning and he fitted it and tried again .. and guess what, still not working. He then tried hot-wiring the compressor in much the way recommended by S6K above (using a 175mfd cap, on the advice of Dometic, apparently). Nothing. So the eventual diagnosis is seized compressor. He's currently trying to source a replacement. In the meantime we have cancelled our flights for the coming weekend because a T40 without aircon in SoF in August ain't much fun. Disappointing (and expensive, on all fronts).

Sorry to hear this Jimmy. Best wishes for a rapid solution. Rafiki still an alternator short of a full complement. Will be fitted next week, and hope to make the trip if the weather helps us.

 

[jrudge]

I finally managed to get Phil from Penguin Marine to have a look at the aircon last Friday. He diagnosed a faulty start relay, and ordered a replacement. This turned up this morning and he fitted it and tried again .. and guess what, still not working. He then tried hot-wiring the compressor in much the way recommended by S6K above (using a 175mfd cap, on the advice of Dometic, apparently). Nothing. So the eventual diagnosis is seized compressor. He's currently trying to source a replacement. In the meantime we have cancelled our flights for the coming weekend because a T40 without aircon in SoF in August ain't much fun. Disappointing (and expensive, on all fronts).

I can offer to you and Heidi Mallorca w air con !

May take a bit of bed jiggling but we can manage it !

 

[jfm]

Sorry to hear that Jimmy
Hope it gets fixed the following week
Your initial hunch = vindicated!
You're right that it is seriously hot now and airco = a necessity
Hopefully see you the following weekend
If any use, you can have the comp off the unit in my place, with which you're familiar. The unit is there to be chopped up- that is its raison d'etre. A new one would be better but if there is going to be a long delay you don't want to lose boating time and the used one might be save the day. I cant remember whether it is R407 or R410A. Shout if needed

 

[superheat6k]

... I cant remember whether it is R407 or R410A. Shout if needed

The two are definitely not interchangeable. Also your original might was on R417A which would likely work OK with R407C, as long as you change the oil, and make sure a replacement has POE oil in it.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I can offer to you and Heidi Mallorca w air con !

May take a bit of bed jiggling but we can manage it !

Tee-hee, thanks J - although I'm intrigued by the idea of 'bed jiggling' in Mallorca, I think we're going to head north this weekend instead. But thanks for the offer (and ps we are due a beer at some point, regardless)

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Sorry to hear this Jimmy. Best wishes for a rapid solution. Rafiki still an alternator short of a full complement. Will be fitted next week, and hope to make the trip if the weather helps us.

Thanks P, and same to you for a resolution to your alternator frustrations. Hope you get away soon.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Sorry to hear that Jimmy
Hope it gets fixed the following week
Your initial hunch = vindicated!
You're right that it is seriously hot now and airco = a necessity
Hopefully see you the following weekend
If any use, you can have the comp off the unit in my place, with which you're familiar. The unit is there to be chopped up- that is its raison d'etre. A new one would be better but if there is going to be a long delay you don't want to lose boating time and the used one might be save the day. I cant remember whether it is R407 or R410A. Shout if needed

Thanks for all that. We should have an answer about spares availability tomorrow - but thanks for offer (and comments from S6K all duly noted).

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

The two are definitely not interchangeable. Also your original might was on R417A which would likely work OK with R407C, as long as you change the oil, and make sure a replacement has POE oil in it.

Thanks for the continued guidance T - mine is R417. I'm in the hands of Penguin now, compressor swap is definitely beyond diy.

 

[Portofino]

Hoping for a quick fix -it's hot here
If you have problems with availability try Enzo -I think he keeps parts -A/C comps and chargers in his van -so,she leaves a client ( maybe important charter ) fixed up and running .
Like rest of them they will be busy now with depannarge .

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Sorry to hear that Jimmy. You can console yourself with the fact that its hotter in the UK than Antibes at least for a couple of days

 

[mcanderson]

Jimmy, A temp fix, but one you might like - we just bought a 7000BTU portable aircon from Super U in Beaulieu. Plug it into a power socket, place the exhaust hose out of a hatch and the cold air blows through nicely. Cost €229. It even has a remote. Once yours is fixed then I am sure you will find someone to sell it to.

You could have cold air on board today!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Thanks for those thoughts and suggestions. There are no replacement compressors in Europe so we're having to order one in from the US. Currently looking like first week of August; still working on it.

 

[jfm]

Thanks for those thoughts and suggestions. There are no replacement compressors in Europe so we're having to order one in from the US. Currently looking like first week of August; still working on it.

If you buy the whole unit it will be in stock in Europe, and not much more expensive (I think)

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

If you buy the whole unit it will be in stock in Europe, and not much more expensive (I think)

I did try that, but my unit has now been superceded by the DTU16 which is about £2850 inc vat delivered in the UK. The replacement compressor is about £730. Both plus fitting.

Express (as opposed to consolidated) shipping will add perhaps another £70, and could save a few days.

The compressor is made by a company called Tecumseh, whose EMEA operation is actually located just outside Lyon. Somewhat frustratingly it turns out that actually I drove right by it on Monday before last. Gah.

PS apparently the R410 units run at a much higher pressure so the compressors are not interchangeable - lots of other hardware has to change as well.