410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

[Risingson]

Yes plug and play

 

[Dani-Lu]

Anyone replace their Salon Cruisair a/c? If so what did you get? is it a DIY job? Thanks

I replaced mine many moons ago. Definitely a DIY job. The only help I needed was with the wiring, and the guy I purchased the unit from helped me over the phone. The new unit works much better than the original - Much stronger fan. The pan is a thick plastic that will outlive the boat. I don’t know if he is still in business, but here is his contact info: Nick Nautical - 516-790-9122

 

[knotonduty]

Awesome thank you guys.

 

[dtfeld]

Anyone replace their Salon Cruisair a/c? If so what did you get? is it a DIY job? Thanks

Is it dead or just need some TLC?? Mine still going strong, and I just ordered some cleaner and cleaning tools to clean the fins...I need to buy a new filter (or what they call a filter).

 

[knotonduty]

Is it dead or just need some TLC?? Mine still going strong, and I just ordered some cleaner and cleaning tools to clean the fins...I need to buy a new filter (or what they call a filter).

View attachment 108728

I think the compressor went out on it. It's tripping the breaker after about 10 seconds of run time. I figure the newer units would be quieter and more efficient saving on my electric bill as well. Just didn't know if I should hire someone or if it's a straightforward diy. Looks pretty straight forward. Easy access in the salon as well. My master stateroom unit runs great and keeps the whole boat around 75 when it's 95 outside.

 

[nealtrombley]

Anyone replace their Salon Cruisair a/c? If so what did you get? is it a DIY job? Thanks

I didi last summer with Webaso 12K unit ... took me 2 hrs tops works great

 

[dtfeld]

I think the compressor went out on it. It's tripping the breaker after about 10 seconds of run time. I figure the newer units would be quieter and more efficient saving on my electric bill as well. Just didn't know if I should hire someone or if it's a straightforward diy. Looks pretty straight forward. Easy access in the salon as well. My master stateroom unit runs great and keeps the whole boat around 75 when it's 95 outside.

If its running for 10 seconds, could be a couple cheap easy things.

1. Bad breaker. I had an issue with my microwave tripping the breaker. A new one solved the problem (evidently they do wear out).

2. Maybe your coil needs cleaning, but I would suspect you would get a code on the thermostat panel.

The fact it is running is good news. Its a couple boat bucks for new AC unit.

 

[knotonduty]

If its running for 10 seconds, could be a couple cheap easy things.

1. Bad breaker. I had an issue with my microwave tripping the breaker. A new one solved the problem (evidently they do wear out).

2. Maybe your coil needs cleaning, but I would suspect you would get a code on the thermostat panel.

The fact it is running is good news. Its a couple boat bucks for new AC unit.

Yeah going to swap the breaker with the stateroom unit first. Coils are cleaned. But just was putting feelers out there in case it's bad.

 

[markrsimon]

I think the compressor went out on it. It's tripping the breaker after about 10 seconds of run time. I figure the newer units would be quieter and more efficient saving on my electric bill as well. Just didn't know if I should hire someone or if it's a straightforward diy. Looks pretty straight forward. Easy access in the salon as well. My master stateroom unit runs great and keeps the whole boat around 75 when it's 95 outside.

I would lean towards a bad start capacitor. If the compressor is not starting properly - it will draw large amounts of current and trip the breaker. I would power on the unit - but not ask for heat or cold. Basically just power it up and run the fan. See how that goes for 10-15min. Then ask for cold - and literally time how long before the breaker trips. I would guess 1-2minutes max if its the capacitor. If its literally 10minutes, then your getting cold air, and finally the breaker trips? Also - confirming that you have 3 breakers total? 1 for the water pump, 1 for salon, and 1 more for vberth?

 

[knotonduty]

I would lean towards a bad start capacitor. If the compressor is not starting properly - it will draw large amounts of current and trip the breaker. I would power on the unit - but not ask for heat or cold. Basically just power it up and run the fan. See how that goes for 10-15min. Then ask for cold - and literally time how long before the breaker trips. I would guess 1-2minutes max if its the capacitor. If its literally 10minutes, then your getting cold air, and finally the breaker trips? Also - confirming that you have 3 breakers total? 1 for the water pump, 1 for salon, and 1 more for vberth?

Fan runs fine. Only does it trip when the compressor starts, it's about 10-20 seconds. The Ovbd water gets hot like it should and it feels like cool air starts to blow out before tripping breaker. I need to get a meter on it, and go from there. I don't know if their is a separate breaker for the water circ pump. I'll check today. About to go to boat and re install my generator sea pump, and new fresh water pump and change the coolant hose form the heat exchanger to the thermostat housing. Found it collapsed. Also secondary fuel filters.

 

[nealtrombley]

Fan runs fine. Only does it trip when the compressor starts, it's about 10-20 seconds. The Ovbd water gets hot like it should and it feels like cool air starts to blow out before tripping breaker. I need to get a meter on it, and go from there. I don't know if their is a separate breaker for the water circ pump. I'll check today. About to go to boat and re install my generator sea pump, and new fresh water pump and change the coolant hose form the heat exchanger to the thermostat housing. Found it collapsed. Also secondary fuel filters.

trust me its gone bad,,, i chased this too, problem will be finding a replacement in stock.. the webasto I got works great stays on 24/7 my unit I ordered


FCF0012000GS FCF 12000 BTU 115V R410A
PAINTED 304SS

 

[Strecker25]

We were sick of my sons toys all over the salon so my wife found a folding ottoman and it has storage inside, I like it.

 

[dtfeld]

We were sick of my sons toys all over the salon so my wife found a folding ottoman and it has storage inside, I like it.

View attachment 108859

Just throw them all in the aft cabin and close the door!!

 

[Strecker25]

Just throw them all in the aft cabin and close the door!!

LOl. That would have been easier…

 

[h_gerry]

For those with a 400 Express out there, any ideas how to remove/replace the airhorns? The trumpets themselves are my issue. A single screw from the front into the fiberglass - but I’m thinking the air hose has a clamp on it and I cant remove the trumpet. There also does not appear to be any access to that area. Best I found is a panel aft of the stbd salon window - but I cant get that panel out to see.

If your 400EC is the same as mine (I have a 1994), you access the airhorns from behind the electrical panel. When you unscrew the panel and open it on the hinges, look inside and up. You will see all the way up to the dockside electrical connections and the air horns. The compressor should be mounted in there as well. It is a stretch, but you can reach everything with long enough arms.

 

[Strecker25]

First time tracking fuel and hours/miles since owning the boat. We ran 100 miles and burned 97.75 gallons. 8.5 hours of engine runtime for an average of about 11.5 gph. The generator was also running for nearly all of that time under normal load (AC on, fridges, hwh, etc.)

Full water and fuel to start, any on plane time was spent between 20-24mph. 2 adults and 3 year old, lots of beer.

Pretty efficient I’d say!

 

[Dani-Lu]

Close to trawler speed will give you close to trawler economy.

 

[Strecker25]

Close to trawler speed will give you close to trawler economy.

yep, lots of no wake time for us in and out of port but 80 or so miles we’re done on plane.

 

[Sgrochow]

Fan runs fine. Only does it trip when the compressor starts, it's about 10-20 seconds. The Ovbd water gets hot like it should and it feels like cool air starts to blow out before tripping breaker. I need to get a meter on it, and go from there. I don't know if their is a separate breaker for the water circ pump. I'll check today. About to go to boat and re install my generator sea pump, and new fresh water pump and change the coolant hose form the heat exchanger to the thermostat housing. Found it collapsed. Also secondary fuel filters.

Re: Salon AC. Not sure where you are at with this, haven't been on the site on a regular basis. We returned last week from a Buffalo to NYC trip and back (40 days) via the Erie Canal and Hudson.

Anyway, in 2017, I installed the Webasto 12K unit on my 1998 40 DA as a direct replacement for the original salon AC. Was pretty straight forward. Shortly after installed, I noticed that the unit, at times, would overshoot it's set point by as much as 5 or 6 degrees. I have many emails from support and I'll paste one below. Not sure if they have changed their programming since 2017 but I still struggle with the 6 minute run window in our Buffalo NY climate, especially in early spring or late fall. Works great when outside temp is very hot or cold. They told me I should have called them before purchasing and that they would have recommended a 9K unit instead of the original 12K due to technology advancements.

"The FCF unit has a minimum run time of 6 minutes. This means when the controller calls for cooling, the unit will not shut down for 6 minutes even if the set point is over shot. This will only occur in the way the customer describes if the unit is too large for his boat (oversized). If the FCF controller reads the same temp as his thermometer, then this is the case most likely"

Do a seawater discharge measurement to make sure you are pumping enough water thus cooling the compressor as well. 12,000 BTU needs 5.28gal/min or 316 gal per hour"

 

[Stee6043]

Re: Salon AC. Not sure where you are at with this, haven't been on the site on a regular basis. We returned last week from a Buffalo to NYC trip and back (40 days) via the Erie Canal and Hudson.

Anyway, in 2017, I installed the Webasto 12K unit on my 1998 40 DA as a direct replacement for the original salon AC. Was pretty straight forward. Shortly after installed, I noticed that the unit, at times, would overshoot it's set point by as much as 5 or 6 degrees. I have many emails from support and I'll paste one below. Not sure if they have changed their programming since 2017 but I still struggle with the 6 minute run window in our Buffalo NY climate, especially in early spring or late fall. Works great when outside temp is very hot or cold. They told me I should have called them before purchasing and that they would have recommended a 9K unit instead of the original 12K due to technology advancements.

"The FCF unit has a minimum run time of 6 minutes. This means when the controller calls for cooling, the unit will not shut down for 6 minutes even if the set point is over shot. This will only occur in the way the customer describes if the unit is too large for his boat (oversized). If the FCF controller reads the same temp as his thermometer, then this is the case most likely"

Do a seawater discharge measurement to make sure you are pumping enough water thus cooling the compressor as well. 12,000 BTU needs 5.28gal/min or 316 gal per hour"

You're able to overshoot your setpoint temp by 5 or 6 degrees in just 6 minutes of runtime? Holy crap...that AC unit must REALLY put out some cooling power. Dang...