A Different A/C Problem

C

coreychamness

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
216
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Tugs 'n Kisses
MMSI Number
338175171
I have read the posts about losing prime in the A/C and my water pump appears to be pumping fine. I am not getting cool air from my fwd unit but the aft unit is working fine. The compressor kicks on audibly (for both). The air coming from the fwd unit is basically ambient. Is there something other than a lack of coolant that I can check for? I wish it was the aft unit since the mid berth has better access. I suspect I will have to bilge dive behind the fridge to reach the fwd unit unless Ranger was thoughtful and made access via the vent in the cabin. Anyone know?

Corey Chamness
 
Hey there Corey. The only access is through the refrigerator but almost always I hear something like this the unit is froze up. Be sure to check your return air and make sure you don't have anything blocking and make sure the vent is all the way open forward of the bed. Next step is to contact Pocket Yachts and our warranty manager will be happy to work with them and the local company to take care of your issue.

Thanks Corey,
 
Corey,

You may want to check the settings on your t-stat as well. If it is the same as mine there is a setting that will intermittently heat the coils and defrost any ice build up. This is particularly useful in the more humid climates where there is a lot of condensation that forms on the coil. Do you get cool air when it first starts up? This is an indication that it is working and then frost build up is preventing the air to flow over the cold coils.
The other issue could be that the refrigerant charge is low.

keep us up to date on the progress.

Mike Rizzo
 
No cool at all on startup which is why I suspect refrigerant.
 
Yes, the compressor definitely starts
 
Except that it is extremely difficult to reach even that! On the fwd unit
 
We have small boats with big boat systems. The trade off is practically everything needing service is a chore. Boating is all about compromise. I just removed the compressor unit on my R-27. Not a job I would want to do often. Let us know how it goes for you.
 
The tech that came to my boat said he needs to pull out the fwd unit (through the fridge opening) to be able to assess the unit and possibly tell where and what caused the refrigerant to leak out. The darn thing is about 13 months old so out of warranty. His best guess is that even though we winterized, the water froze somewhere and fractured the tubes inside. He said once that happens, moisture gets in and the unit is toast. I am not optimistic. I also don't know what more I could have done than fill with antifreeze till runs out the discharge AND had a bilge heater. :cry:

Anyone ever pull the fwd unit out through the refrigerator opening? I don't think it will be easy.
 
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