How Difficult to Install A/C Unit in Salon?

Bryank

Member
Jul 3, 2008
455
Catawba Island, OH
Boat Info
2001 410DA
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1S Horizons
My salon A/C keeps giving me a LO PSI error. This happened in June last year and they re-charged it and all was well... until late August. The code came back and I just dealt with it for the rest of the season. I had my marina check it out today and there is a leak. I am now faced with a $360 bill to re-charge the unit again--though I am pretty sure it won't hold a charge for the entire season--or, spend the money on a new unit. If I do a new unit, I would really like to save the labor cost and do it myself.

My question... how hard is it to install? Is this a "plug-and-play" process, or am I looking at a more difficult process? The A/C unit is under the salon sofa so it is easily accessible (thank goodness it isn't the one under the master berth). Any thoughts are appreciated. Also, any ideas on where to get the best price? I would likely replace it with another Cruisair since it will work with my existing controls.

Thanks!
 
I was amazed at how easy it was to remove. Maybe taking it out of the boat and bringing it to an AC company to charge/fix might be less money than having the tech come to the boat. I know Freon is expensive but it's probably less than what the service tech charged to come out to your boat the last time.

Make sure to turn the unit off at the breaker panel, close the sea-cock for the thru-hull in the engine compartment and the one next to the unit that lets the cooling water exit the unit.
 
I hate saying it, but its not worth spending money on 15 yr old unit. New ones are more efficient and more quiet. God, I love spending other peoples money :smt021
 
How easy depends upon 2 things: How the salon sofa is frames and constructed, and what new unit you select.

My boat is a little larger than yours an to get ours changed out we had to disassemble parts of the package unit, install it then reassemble what we took off. Dometic has purchased the marine air conditioning business by acquisition. That is a good thing because they have simplified some of the units and vastly improved the compressor system. The new models have a turbine type compressor which is much quieter and seems to last longer. Your unit may or may not be plug and play and you may need to alter some hose runs, wiring, etc to accommodate the new one. Noe if that is particularly difficult and is pretty much do it yourself job.
 
I have installed 1 complete system in one boat and a replacement in the 340 I have now. Nothing to it. Give Tom a call here>> http://www.flagshipmarine.com/

See if he can help you.

+1 on Flagship. Understand if you want heat, it comes at an electrical cost. Beyond that..... Bulletproof.
 
I replaced mine last season. Really not too bad at all for my 360. One huge advantage is the newer units do not have a pan that rusts. The discharge no longer has that rust stain!
 
Thanks everyone. I agree that fixing a 15 year old unit is likely not worth the money, so a replacement is in my near future. My marina is charging $270 for the install... So, about three hours work. Sounds like something I could do myself.

Stupid question... Do new units come already charged with freon?
 
The unit is self contained all you need to do when ordering it is tell them where the air outlet is and the cooling hoses. This is easy!!!! Buy Crown Royal with the change you save.
 
Bought a Dometic DTU12 as a direct replacement for my Cruiseair. Anyone have experience with this unit--good or bad?
 

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