Air Conditioner

R

rawidman

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Feb 5, 2007
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My Air Conditioner failed. Seawater in the refrigerant piping. That's not unusual except that it lasted less than five years and replaced one that had the same failure. The AC guy who sold and installed it apologized but want's $2700 to replace it with the same model or $2400 for a "cheaper" one. It's a 16000 BTU reverse cycle single unit. Even West Marine sells a similar model for $1700 or so. Of course I would have to install it myself. His prices include installation but not freight.

My question then is, does anyone here have a reason to believe one brand is better than another? The two that failed were Cruise Air, supposed to be the "best".

Has anyone used an "Ocean Breeze" AC?
 
It could be bad luck but it could also be corrosion or bonding related. A coil failing after 5 years is pretty rare.

I have 5 ocean breeze units on my hatt although they are not all in one but just the remote condensing units installed in the ER. The coils are 15 years old now although I ve had to replace a couple of compressors (not made by ocean breeze).

I had a question about them a few years back and called them, very responsive, small comoany,, but again that was a few years back.

I woudl definitely consider their products again.

A few months back I replaced one of my 5 AC which had a failed compressor plus a 40 year old failing air handler with a self contained 16k btu Marvair. Back then they were in sale FromDefender thru an Active Captain weekly deal for only $990. Ain't was too good to pass. Came with a touch screen control. Very well built with SS pan and solid construction, and importantly made in the US. Now, marvair has since sold their marine line to Dometic so quality may have changed but if you can still find a marvair built version I'd recommend it,
 
I have their 12K unit and I think this year wil be the fifth season. I had lot's of initial problems all caused by too little volume in output runs (my fault) I really had a hard time dealing with the OB guy (nobody answering phones or real slow acknowledging emails) so when I needed to get more duct parts I bought them from Flag Ship Marine. When my 18 yr old 16K units fails I think I will try Flagship.

Good luck
Niles
 
I've always used King-Air, installed many thru the years all still working well as far as I know. Mine is 23 years old. Fresh water here.
 
If it's easy to get to, replace it yourself and save $1000. It's a simple DIY project.

IIRC, Flagship uses an electric heating element. I installed one on my last boat and it worked very well.
 
quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

If it's easy to get to, replace it yourself and save $1000. It's a simple DIY project.

IIRC, Flagship uses an electric heating element. I installed one on my last boat and it worked very well.

Click to expand...


I was thinking the same thing....if you get the same replacement unit, it should be a piece of cake to drop it in.
 
quote:
Flagship uses an electric heating element. [/black]

Click to expand...


MY OB also has the electric element and I really like it. Being able to use while on the hard is really nice.

Niles
 
I was thinking that electric resistance heat would save a lot of wear and tear on the condenser and such but the major brands don't seem to offer this, only reverse cycle.

I've seen some brands mentioned here that I haven't heard of before so I'll check them out.
 
OK, I've been looking around and although I had never heard of it before, Flagship seems to have what I need with the option of electric resistance heat and at a decent price. I can even up size to 18000 BTU and downsize the heating so hopefully the heat and water heater together don't trip the 30 amp breaker.
 
I guess I could rig up a relay so that when the heat cuts on the water heater cuts off. Sometimes you just have to write things down to see the possibilities.
 
I went through 7 Cruiseair units in 4 years (there are 3 units on the boat). I think they have had a real quality control problem in the last few years. Last unit I replaced with a Mermaid unit - seems to be well built, all made in the USA. It's only been in about 6 months but seems to be working well. I replaced it myself, if you have the old air handling box and it fits the new unit, it only takes about 30 minutes to trade them out.

Good luck.
 
Have you gone back and talked directly to Dometic? My experience has been they are very good with resolving problems and based on age this to me should definitely fall under the "good faith" customer service plan.
 
quote:
Originally posted by RM

Have you gone back and talked directly to Dometic? My experience has been they are very good with resolving problems and based on age this to me should definitely fall under the "good faith" customer service plan.

Click to expand...

I didn't buy it directly from Dometic, I bought it and had it installed by a well established local dealer. I asked him exactly that question and his reply was that since it was almost five years old and the guarantee was only for one year they wouldn't replace it or give me a credit.

I suppose I could call them direct and I might try that but if they are this bad I don't think I want another "throwaway" unit.
 
Pascal is onto something. U got a problem. ID have someone look into whats gong on. Heat pump or no u may be in same situation in 5 years. Its not a manufacturer issue . U got a boat issue

Rob
 
Getting seawater (raw water) into the refrigerant should be all but impossible. The Dometic units (Cruisair or Marineair) use heat exchanger consisting of two concentric tubes. The refrigerant runs on the inside and the raw water runs outside of the inner tube and inside the outer tube. Since the inner tube is the only refrigerant/raw water interface, a perforation would have to exist in the inner tube. The refrigerant pressure is much higher than anything expected in the raw water, the leak would be of refrigerant into the raw water. Not vice versa. If there was something to cause the perforation, your unit would have crapped out well before you found water in the refrigerant.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

I was thinking that electric resistance heat would save a lot of wear and tear on the condenser and such but the major brands don't seem to offer this, only reverse cycle.

Click to expand...


Dometic (at least CruisAir) offers a resistance heat unit, sold separately (i.e., not part of the AC) and installed in line.

-Chris
 
Ron,

I've no experience with Flagship so I'll defer to Hogan on that one. I like the concept though.

My only concern would be the added load on the gennie while underway in colder weather. It may present a new load management situation or one that is insurmountable with your current Gennie.

Just something to consider.
My 2 cents.
 
Two good points. refrigerant would leak into seawater a and stop cooling long before sea water got into refrigerant.

If it is true that the tubing corroded then I strongly suspect some sort of electrical stray current situation. I have no idea what running the system while out of the water does regarding grounding but the typical marinas power systems don't impress me with their fault protection.
 
Sure pressure is higher in the gas lines but once you get a leak pressure will drop and water will get in
 
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