Air conditioner not cold

G

gemajean

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
41
Hello. I was hoping to get some insight to a potential problem I'm having. I have an 03 Four Winns 268 cruiser and I just can't seem to get my air conditioner to get cold. It blows air no problem and I've set the control panel correctly I think, but still no cold air.

I asked my marina service guys and they said they don't repair air conditioners so I'm kid of out on my own.

Any thoughts from anyone? I'd appreciate any suggestions for repair.

(Also, my apologies if this is the wrong area as I noticed it said 'not engine topics'?)

Thank you all so much.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Air conditioner not cold

brand of AC? is it just a condenser unit with blower, or is it sea water cooled?
 
J

jacknbella

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
251
Re: Air conditioner not cold

Sounds like a refrigerant leak (aka freon) to me. It might need to be recharged, that's all. Most A/C systems typically last 3-5 years before needing a recharge. You may also check the fittings to make sure they are all tight. Also, check to see if there is any dirt/mud build up on any of the line connections. This would also indicate a leak of some sort.
 
G

gemajean

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
41
Re: Air conditioner not cold

Oh, sorry Tash.. the only thing I know about the unit is that the control panel is a SMX ir control panel and the brand of the unit is a Cruisair. Other than that, I'm not sure what else can indicate the unit model number. I'll try to look into the engine compartment again to get some sort of i.d.

And thanks jack for the thoughts. If it's just Freon, then that doesn't seem to be too bad? The boat is 6 years old and I'm imagining the previous owner didn't do much to it to maintain it. I just got it last year and I'm still putting it back together!

But I'll check the fittings and try to recharge with Freon. Is it hard to do?

Thank you all again.
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: Air conditioner not cold

jacknbella said:
Most A/C systems typically last 3-5 years before needing a recharge.
Click to expand...

Don't believe this. When a system is correctly sealed, it has no reason to leak. BTW, units that leak over a given percentage per year must have the leak repaired or be condemned. If you had taken the EPA Certification course/test, you would know this.

As for the OP, if you don't have any knowledge on these units, it would be very wise to take it to a professional tech.
 
J

jacknbella

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
251
Re: Air conditioner not cold

"If" the system is correctly sealed. You're really talking about whether the A/C system is assembled correctly or not. All refrigerant connections are labor-intensive and the smallest error could result in a leak. If you forget to lubricate an o-ring or accidently mis-align a nut, a leak is eminent. Unfortunately, these types of leaks are VERY difficult to detect using most common methods. In other words, ALL A/C systems leak a little bit from day-one, even though the leak may not affect performance for many, many years. Also, unless you drive your boat on a sheet of glass every single time out, don't forget vibration can loosen any connection, and not just A/C connections. If you had passed your PE certification, you would know this. I can't believe I resorted to your level of attacking a fellow iBoater. Totally uncalled for SS Mayfloat.
 
45Auto

45Auto

Commander
Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
2,842
Re: Air conditioner not cold

Also, unless you drive your boat on a sheet of glass every single time out, don't forget vibration can loosen any connection
Click to expand...

And if you had passed your introductory statics and mechanics courses, much less PE certification, you would know that your boat is vibrating anytime the engine is running, irregardless of whether it's being driven or the condition of the water ..... :)

As to the posters original question, is there water coming out the side of your boat when you turn the unit on? One of the most common failures with the Cruisair units is the remote water pump that supplies water to the unit. Not Cruisair's fault, they don't supply the water pump and some installers use a VERY cheap pump. My 1987 Sea Ray has an all original (except that it is on it's 3rd water pump) 6,000 BTU Cruisair that still blows ice cold.
 
BumbleBeeTuna

BumbleBeeTuna

Seaman
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
66
Re: Air conditioner not cold

45Auto said:
And if you had passed your introductory statics and mechanics courses, much less PE certification, you would know that your boat is vibrating anytime the engine is running, irregardless of whether it's being driven or the condition of the water ..... :)

As to the posters original question, is there water coming out the side of your boat when you turn the unit on? One of the most common failures with the Cruisair units is the remote water pump that supplies water to the unit. Not Cruisair's fault, they don't supply the water pump and some installers use a VERY cheap pump. My 1987 Sea Ray has an all original (except that it is on it's 3rd water pump) 6,000 BTU Cruisair that still blows ice cold.
Click to expand...

...and if you had passed 3rd grade English you would know "irregardless" is not a word. :D
 
A

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,742
Re: Air conditioner not cold

jacknbella said:
"If" the system is correctly sealed. You're really talking about whether the A/C system is assembled correctly or not. All refrigerant connections are labor-intensive and the smallest error could result in a leak. If you forget to lubricate an o-ring or accidently mis-align a nut, a leak is eminent. Unfortunately, these types of leaks are VERY difficult to detect using most common methods. In other words, ALL A/C systems leak a little bit from day-one, even though the leak may not affect performance for many, many years. Also, unless you drive your boat on a sheet of glass every single time out, don't forget vibration can loosen any connection, and not just A/C connections. If you had passed your PE certification, you would know this. I can't believe I resorted to your level of attacking a fellow iBoater. Totally uncalled for SS Mayfloat.
Click to expand...


LMAO!!
 
BumbleBeeTuna

BumbleBeeTuna

Seaman
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
66
G

gemajean

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
41
Re: Air conditioner not cold

Hello all,

Thanks for everyone's input although I'm sorry that it had to get personal between a few posters as I appreciate the forums and think that we're all here to generally help one another.

That's the great thing about the forums as it's an extension of one of the most important things I've learned about boating which is to be courteous and respectful of other boaters and that we're all out there to enjoy the water and to offer help to each other if ever needed.

And yes, I'll be contacting Cruisair to see if I can get some more info/technician to repair this situation.

Thanks again for all of your input.
 
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