Air Conditioning problems - 2017 R29 CB

[SeaLegs]

Just picked up this 2017 Ranger R29 CB tug in October from Maine. It only had 30 hrs clocked on it. i thought it was a good buy but I'm finding out the previous owner didn't take very good care in maintaining it. I'm on Lake Michigan and trying to beat the heat. I can't seem to get the air conditioning to operate. There was very little information from the seller on the operation of the boat. I tried it when connected to the shore station and tried it with the generator but no luck. It's most likely me not having the right switches turned on. What suggestions would you recommend me trying?

Joe Springer

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Joe. Does anything happen when the AC is switched on? Can you tell if the AC water pump is running? Is the AC thru hull for the water pump open? Will the fan run? Are you sure you have power going to the system? Is the AC switch on the panel on? Are other appliances that require 115 volt AC working? I feel your need to have AC .
Karl

 

[Matty]

If you are not on shore power here is the order of events..
Turn on generator.
Switch power selector switch to generator
Turn on air conditioner breaker is on (panel)
Using hand held controller or using panel switch be sure snowflake is showing. Be sure desired temp on controller is lower than outside temp.
You should hear fan come on. In about a minute you should here water pump come on and see water coming out the side of the boat.

If you hear fan but water pump does not come on you may have an air lock in water line. That can be solved by shutting thru hull valve and forcing water thru line that leads to a/c pump. Sometimes just opening strainer cover lets air out.

 

[SeaLegs]

I turned on generator - only the first panel (microwave, and outlets) turns on. the second third and fourth panels do not turn on. The AC voltmeter only goes on when I turn on the inverter switch. It reads 125 with inverter on, wether the generator is on or not.
I tried the remote with new batteries and set temp to 61degrees (outside temp is 74), put the fan on high but get nothing. It doesn't look like the other three panels are getting any power from the generator.
????

 

[GZigmont]

There are two GEN, SHORE,OFF switches. AC is powered by switch #2. Make sure that #2 is turned to shore or gen- whichever you are using. Then flick on the AC switches, including the switch for the pump.

 

[SeaLegs]

I only have one switch that goes from Shore 1,2 - to Off - to Gen 1,2. But there are only three positions and I can't pick 1 or 2 individually on either Shore or Gen positions. I also don't see a switch for the pump.
I can't get anything to turn on AC power on the last three panels. The only panel that works is the first panel with the outlets and microwave.

 

[BB marine]

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10617

This diagram shows the wiring diagram 120V

To power the panel
both 30amp shore power plugs plugged into shore power pedestals
Rotary switch in the switched to shore power 1-2 and green lights on
ELCI breaker turned on (Main 1 and Main 2) green lights should be lit.

Analog 120V meter should read 120V+/-

Battery charger should be on and inverter off

If only inverter portion of panel is providing power the shore power voltage is not present.

Generator to power panel.
Generator on
rotary switch in generator position green light on
ELCI breakers on (Main1 and Main 2 ) green lights on
Analog 120V meter should read 120V+/-

individual breakers need to be turned on to power air units. forward air, aft air and relay ( one pump for both air units) should be on to operate the air units

Battery charger should be on and inverter off.

 

[SeaLegs]

I am away from shore station but will try suggestion for shore power tomorrow. I did try the generator, this time with the inverter off. I don't see any switch to turn on battery charger.
When switching rotary dial to generator, nothing happens. The green light did not go on. There is no power at the the panel.
Is there a switch on the generator to turn on? I didn't see any type of a switch to turn on generator.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions, thank you. Not sure what to try next.

 

[BB marine]

I don't see any switch to turn on battery charger.

If you have the Inverter/charger on ? When there is no 120V shore power/generator the inverter will turn on inverter mode ( auto transfer switch). When you plug into shore power pedestal, ELCI breakers on (1) the inverter/charger inverter mode off and charger mode on (auto transfer switch) charger should be on.

When switching rotary dial to generator, nothing happens. The green light did not go on. There is no power at the the panel.
Is there a switch on the generator to turn on? I didn't see any type of a switch to turn on generator.

The stern thruster battery switch must be on to start generator. Use the generator control panel to start the generator. The generator must be running and producing electricity for the green light to come on at the rotary switch. The ELCI breaker must be on for the green light to come on at AC (1) to power all 120V accessories. The analog Volt meter will show voltage produced at shore or generator. AC (2) ELCI breaker must be on to power air units. The AFT air and FWD air breaker must be on along with relay breaker.

When you get on board use your owners manual review the electrical system. If you do not have a manual it is available using TUGNUTS Forum index viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11097

Plug in the shore power cords to the pedestal confirm the pedestal breakers are on.

Rotary switch in shore power position

ELCI breaker switch on

Analoge Volt meter AC 120V +/- 120V

If you do this and find no power at the panel. I would suggest getting a ABYC certified electrician involved. When you purchased the boat di you have a survey? If so all systems were tested and confirmed operating? If you did not do this it is not to late to hire a marine surveyor to find out what you purchased. If there are issues he will find them. Be on board when he does the survey. He will know how to operate all the systems and prove them to work if they are not damaged or inoperable. Understanding electrical systems in a boat is important. If installed properly it should be as easy as flipping a switch. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

 

[SeaLegs]

I tried your suggestions and the green light does not go on, telling me there is no power. To answer your question about a surveyor, I did not get a surveyor involved because the boat was only two years old and they said that it only had thirty hours on it. The bout was not put in the water in 2019 until September when I went to Maine to look it over. I figured what could be wrong since the boat was only two years old. In hindsight, my mistake!
I will take your suggestion and hire a surveyor.
That you for your helpful suggestions.

 

[Scuba Too]

I have the same year and model. Just send you a PM.

 

[FWTMD]

The impression forms of an original owner who bought new to insure things just plain worked once they bought the boat.

And were not able, and / or had inadequate dealer / factory support to assist with issues. Or didn't call on them when they should.

And so, sold the boat in frustration, barely used.

If this guess is even a little bit valid, this means you have a boat that has not really had a good shake-down. Other things may arise. You might want to get very systematic about taking the time to go over everything a piece at a time. Check connections. Hose clamps. Snug up every single electrical connection, at BOTH ends of the wires. Engine. Everything. Some things can be just irritating. Others can be a serious safety risk.

Just a thought.

 

[gwishon]

The stern thruster battery switch must be on to start generator. Use the generator control panel to start the generator. The generator must be running and producing electricity for the green light to come on at the rotary switch. The ELCI breaker must be on for the green light to come on at AC (1) to power all 120V accessories. The analog Volt meter will show voltage produced at shore or generator. AC (2) ELCI breaker must be on to power air units. The AFT air and FWD air breaker must be on along with relay breaker.

Depending on the model of your generator, there will also be a circuit breaker on the unit Itself which, if tripped, will prevent AC power from flowing from the generator to the main panel. On my NextGen unit, it’s a red button on/through the unit cover. Many owners swap this 30amp breaker with a 40amp breaker to eliminate frequent tripping of this breaker under load.

 

[GZigmont]

Can you post a picture of your electric panel(s) that are in the quarterberth? Also - you do have two shore power inlets -correct?

 

[Lori's Den]

We just purchase a 2019 Ranger 29CB with 16 hours on it, so basically brand new. Maiden voyage was a great success. The main issue that I am finding is that the Next Gen 3.5kw generator seems to be too small for the 2 A/C units. The surveyor pointed this out and broker "poo-pooed" it saying the breaker tripped during inspection because surveyor was overloading generator with other accessories at the same time. Well, interesting at orientation, Broker's employee that trained us, also informed us that Generator cannot in anyway power both A/C units. I called Next Gen and they confirmed this "off the record". Hmm, why would Ranger make a boat with 2 A/C units that can only be powered by Shore Power? Not knowing this before our voyage, we lost our A/C 2 days into our first trip. Generator ran, but delivered no power .. could not get the breaker to reset until days later. On our journey we confirmed that yes, the Generator is not powerful enough to power both A/C units. Problem is that on our Ranger we discovered that the Forward A/C is the only unit that also powers the pump which draws in the cooling water ... But when underway, we don't need the forward A/C, as we are not typically hanging out in the forward berth in the middle of the day. So the Ranger 29CB does not allow you to run the Aft A/C unit from the generartor EVER, as you cannot run it without also running the pump that draws in the cooling water? I am quite dissapointed with this .. hoping one of you has some clarity for us.