How does a boats Airconditioner work?

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zebramussel1

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I have a Cruisair Air(SMX II Control Systems) Condition/Heater. I have never had one before. Where exactly is the unit, and what about winterizing? I have drained a clear filter type receptacle, was wondering what else?
 
it works pretty much like a regular air con except that isntead of using air to cool the gas, it uses water. so you have a water pump and strainer...

you dont' know where you air conditioner is???? i hope you know there the pump and the sea cock is so you could close it in case of a major failure!

draining the sea strainer is probalby not enough, you want to make sure you dont' have water trapped in the system... I'm no winterizin ezpert, but you probalby need to circulate some anti freeze in there... i'm sure others will tell you.
 
Like pascal said, locate the raw water pump which will be in your bilge. The clear thing you drained is probably the strainer.

There will be a sea cock and thru hull. Close the sea cock. Then find the hose that goes from the strainer to an electric pump. Remove the two hose clamps at the strainer and take the hose off. Hold the hose above the pump and pour non toxic antifreeze into the hose with a funnel. You need two people. The second person will need to turn the AC on so that the pump will draw the antifreeze through the system. One gallon should be enough.

You're up north. If the cabin temperature is cold, the AC might not come on. If you have the SMX II, you probably have reverse cycle heat. You can turn the heat on. Either way, the pump will come on. It's good to turn the heat on once in a while, even if you don't use it so that the valve doesn't stick.

After you put the antifreeze through, Turn off the system and reconnect the hose. Turn off the breakers. You will probably have one for the AC and one for the pump. Don't open the seacock until the boat is out of the water and then it is a good idea to open it so any water will drain out.

The unit itself is probably under your bed if you have an express cruiser. It would be a good idea to find it so you can clean the air intake filter. Make sure there is no water in the pan.

What about your other systems? Water, Head, shower sump, etc?

What kind of boat do you have?
 
Thank you. I have a 240 Sundancer. Can the heater be run with the boat out of the water? I was unclear on how that would work, I thought water was required.
 
The Cruisaair needs water whether running forward or reverse cycles. I think its about $2000 in parts if you smoke one.
 
It need water to work, but it will run without it. I use a hand pump to winterize the A/C, it's hard to get the water pump to push the antifreeze. It's a flooded pump installed below the water line and will not prime you have to pour the antireeze down it.
 
It will not burn out from lack of water. The water cools the unit. It will run for a while and then the head pressure will build up and you will see HI PS message on the display and the unit will shut down.

You can winterize it in or out of the water. But not use it for heat or AC without water running through it.

As Jim mentioned, it's not a self priming pump. That's why you can't just put the antifreeze in the strainer. You have to have the hose above the pump. If you put the antifreeze in the hose with a funnel, the pump will pump it through. You shouldn't have any trouble.
 
Can't you just drain the strainer and blow out the water in the lines and close the seacock leaving nothing but air in the lines over the winter?
 
Thats what I do Capt Bill. Compressed air, shoot it right out. I also do it to my fresh water system. Never had a problem.
 
You can. The manual for every marine water system I've ever seen says to either drain the system by gravity or used compressed air. The benefits of the anti freeze are the corrosion protection and the fact that if there is any water left in the system, the antifreeze will displace it. I like to use antifreeze. It's quick and easy and I don't have to bring my compressor to the boat.
 
Let's put it this way. You are on the Great Lakes. Do not use the heat or run the unit while the boat is out of the H2O. This simple instruction should keep you out of trouble.
 
There is no problem running it out of the water, it will stop on head pressure. The problem you face is the pump will not suck the antifreeze, you have to pour it down it, easier to do it with a hand pump. Air is a thing that might work, depends on the design, level of the boat, don't count on air. I've seen air fail, many times.
 
Zebramussel1,
Your A/C system is at the foot (starboard side)of your aft cabin bed on a Sea Ray 240.
 
"I've seen air fail, many times."

As long as the seacock is closed, how can air fail? In other words, how can water get in?

Just curious.
 
Capt. Bill, the water is in the tube, the tube is a vertical coil, the air does not replace the water, it just tries to push it out, the air can go over the top of the water, leaving half of the cross section of the tube filled with water. Stop blowing the air and the water left settles to the bottom of the coil, might freeze and crack, might not.
This can also happen in the fresh water system, have a low spot and it will freeze and crack.
It's not like you're running a piston thru the line, water can and will get back under the air.
 
That's why I prefer antifreeze. It displaces the water. Even if some water stays in the system and dilutes the antifreeze, you still have protection. Run enough through and you won't have a problem.
 
"It's not like you're running a piston thru the line, water can and will get back under the air."

Interesting, thanks Jim.
 
I leave the AC seacock (and all other seacocks) on my boat open all winter so I'm sure water isn't trapped there to freeze. I see no advantage to closing them.
 
Thanks all! TGE II: In the aft bed area I do not remember seeing a panel or some type of access to AC point, I may be wrong. Is there a way to get at the AC?

Also, what do you guys typically use as a source for your compressed air? Just pick up a $200 compressor at Home Depot?
 
quote:
Originally posted by zebramussel1

Thanks all! TGE II: In the aft bed area I do not remember seeing a panel or some type of access to AC point, I may be wrong. Is there a way to get at the AC?

Also, what do you guys typically use as a source for your compressed air? Just pick up a $200 compressor at Home Depot?

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If you don't have your boat manual, you can download it on Sea Ray's website. There should be some button type covers that have a screw behind it. The panel should come off. In the manual it will show you where it's located.
 
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