Cruisair - What to Look For?

jbondy · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010

We're surveying a boat for possible live-aboard use that has two 16k btu Cruisair reverse cycle units. They're original equipment, and thus 24 years old. What should I look for?

The boat was always used in the south, so I assume primarily in AC mode. We'd be bringing her north, so the system would get used for heat, too. Does one only run these units when connected to shore power? Or when running the generator? How about off the batteries?

Thanks in advance.

kd3pc · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010

plan on replacing them both in the near future...our aft one lost heat ability, but cools great. Replacement parts are available, but are $$$$ and used/repaired and of dubious quality. Cheaper to replace with more efficient, better controller, smaller, quieter units.

All the best
dave

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010

Can't really run any of the A/C units off of the battery banks, unless you've got a truly massive battery bank... which is unlikely. They need to be run using a generator or shorepower.

You'd be better off asking someone with a lot of A/C experience about the problems, but areas I've seen are the heat exchangers, the compressors and the raw water pumps.... Don't know the Cruisair units specifically, since most of the work I've done on them has been with Mermaid units.

At 24 years old, they're probably about due for replacement.