The wire on the reversing valve solenoid might be loose or worn. In this article, we look at the common issues to check when your vessel’s AC stutters. You can flush the system with a weak solution of biodegradable acid or pressurized water. A freezing evaporator can be because the fan is not running efficiently or is damaged. Don’t let the dog days of summer make you swelter. A new clean system under moderate load should operate at the lower end of this range and a dirty system under full load might operate in the upper range. Check that the AC pump works properly and replace if faulty. After purging the air from the system don’t forget to shut the purging valve. 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. It can also be because of insufficient or blocked supply air grilles. If the boat planes or the waterline changes, it can leave the pump out of the water, preventing it from performing optimally. This indicates malfunctioning reversing valves. (Probably the #1 question we get). After trying all the troubleshooting tricks in the book and you can’t resolve the issues with your cooling unit, ask for professional help. Make sure bleed valve is tightly closed. A chilled-water system, on the other hand, cools fresh water that, in turn, circulates through the air handlers. Use these tips to keep your AC unit in excellent shape. 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. Make sure the thru-hull, sea strainer, and valves are working perfectly. Check the drain hose. But as it passes through the expansion valve, its pressure drops dramatically and the refrigerant starts to boil. It’s July, and a skipper’s thoughts turn to his air-conditioning system—especially if the darn thing stops working and his family moves into the Holiday Inn next door to the marina. Faulty bearings can also make the pump loud. • Bypass valve motor may not be operating. Inspect the hoses from the sea stock, strainer, pump, to the thru-hull. The first company to develop a self contained ductable marine air conditioner in the 1980’s, Marine Air Systems revolutionized the marine air conditioning business by making marine air conditioning more affordable for boat builders to install. Malfunctioning solenoids can compromise the AC’s function. We service Fort Lauderdale, FL, Vero Beach, FL, Tampa, FL, Marco Islands, FL and Key … If you are having trouble with your Marine A/C system, try the following troubleshooting tips. 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. 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 can also be a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse which will need a replacement. There are some serious problems that can cause these issues, but typically, when your AC won't turn on, you have about a 70% chance of solving the issue yourself. 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. The problem might be from a shorted wire. You can clean the filter but extensive clogging will need a replacement. But to perform optimally, the pump must always be in contact with the water. • Air handler coil may be air locked – bleed if necessary. If you need to clean the filter more often, try cleaning the cabin. But it is an ideal location for critters and debris to accumulate. Control Unit, user manuals, operating guides & specifications Learn about eight most common problems that are seen in ship's refrigerated system. Some of the possible causes of failure in the system are listed in the air conditioner troubleshooting guide below. (PS: We read ALL feedback). When any liquid boils—scientists call this “phase conversion”—it absorbs heat. “Marine growth and scale builds up and clogs the coil,” says Wayne Wright (www.wrightmarine.net), a Tampa Bay marine air-conditioning specialist. If you need to clean the filter more often, try cleaning the cabin. 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. If this is the problem, flush the system for improved airflow. 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. Air-conditioning systems come in different configurations, but all share three major components: The evaporator, where boiling refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air; the compressor, which pushes the refrigerant through the system; and the condenser, where the refrigerant is cooled and liquefied before being pumped back to the evaporator. Before troubleshooting your marine air conditioner or any other equipment, read and understand the user manual. 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. The pump needs to be submerged to draw water into the AC unit. In all cases, reading and studying the aforementioned manual before opening your toolbox or calling for help is very important. Air conditioners remove humidity along with heat, and the water has to go somewhere. Most air-conditioning systems are “direct expansion”: they pump refrigerant directly to air handlers in the boat’s living spaces. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. We have been serving Sarasota, Manatee & Pinellas Counties for over 20 years. Remove anything restricting the air flow. It can also be because of obstruction of the return air. What happens if you turn on your AC but it doesn’t come online? So, although the technology is fine for autumn boating, if you plan on an Arctic exploration, you might want to install a dedicated heating system. Most systems have a safety switch that shuts off the compressor if the water flow is insufficient, which causes system pressure to increase beyond a preset limit. ... Industry, We have the education , experience and the Factory Certified Licensing to be the best for all your HVAC-R systems needs. 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