Controls for ac/heater

Rum Runner

Rum Runner

New Member
Dec 8, 2009
133
Sacramento Delta
Boat Info
1987 340 Sundancer
Engines
340 Mercruisers w/V drive
I have a 1987 340 Sundancer with twin 340's. The controls for the ac/heater unit are located inside of an upper cabinet above the dinette...somewhat awkward to get to. Does anyone know if they are placed there for a specific reason rather than on the face of the cabinet. And if they can be moved to the face of the cabinet or updated, currently they are the older knob type controls. thanks for any help.
 
I have the same situation. My unit is MarineAir and there is a kit available to convert it to the digital control. I forget the price but you could go to their website for information.
 
tobnpr said:
Check out the Mermaid Universal Digital Programmable Control here to upgrade from the old three-knob:
http://www.firstmatescabin.com/page10.htm

Oddly though, it's not listed on Mermaid's website... don't know why...
Click to expand...


So it looks like a $150. + S&H decision per unit to convert to digital programmable control. Have you done this to your boat? If so, did you do it for both units?

I also like their condensator set up that would eliminate the condensate emptying into the ER. Nice mod to help keep the ER dry. My fwd unit drains into the shower sump, so that would not be an issue.

~Ken
 
I looked into the conversion from the old three-knobber to digital a couple of years back. Cruisair offered a kit that fits into the existing cutout for the threeknob thing - easy plug-n-play. I recall it being close to $500 at that time.

Regarding the link to the Mermaid site, I didn''t see any claim that the digital thermostat they offer for $50 will be compatible with the old three knobber - maybe I missed that. That thermostat looks like the ones they sell in Home Depot (Lux). It is likely compatible with the Mermaid Units but not sure about the old OEM Marineair stuff we all have.
 
rondds said:
I looked into the conversion from the old three-knobber to digital a couple of years back. Cruisair offered a kit that fits into the existing cutout for the threeknob thing - easy plug-n-play. I recall it being close to $500 at that time.

Regarding the link to the Mermaid site, I didn''t see any claim that the digital thermostat they offer for $50 will be compatible with the old three knobber - maybe I missed that. That thermostat looks like the ones they sell in Home Depot (Lux). It is likely compatible with the Mermaid Units but not sure about the old OEM Marineair stuff we all have.
Click to expand...

The $50.00 is for a thermostat only. If you scroll further through the link that you posted, they have a conversion kit that includes the thermostat for $149.00

~Ken
 
Got it Ken. Thanks. How the hell did I miss that? That is something I'd do in a heartbeat - BUT I think my original salon unit is on it's last leg - I'll likely wait for it to die - replacement units come with the digital controller.
 
rondds said:
Got it Ken. Thanks. How the hell did I miss that? That is something I'd do in a heartbeat - BUT I think my original salon unit is on it's last leg - I'll likely wait for it to die - replacement units come with the digital controller.
Click to expand...

Yes, you might as well wait Ron. I think that the complete reverse air unit sells for around $1,100.00 to $1,200.00

One would think that mine may be getting ready to crap out as well. Although they both work well, I had my AC buddy check them out last year. He did an acid test on the freon & they both passed with flying colours. We very seldom use our fwd unit as I don't like a breeze on me when I'm sleeping. The aft unit gets a workout & does a great job for the whole boat.

I will probably put another season on them before I do anything drastic. Just like everybody else, I have some other projects in the hopper.

regards, Ken
 
Ken - how many BTU is your larger unit? Are both of yours original and 3 knobbers? The PO of this boat replaced the forward unit with a 7K btu cruiseair and SMX II control pad - the three-knobs are disconnected but still in the locker in the master stateroom. The aft unit is the original 16K btu MarineAir and 3-knob. It works OK but nothing lasts forever. I did replace the pump about 3 years ago.
 
electricaldoctor said:
So it looks like a $150. + S&H decision per unit to convert to digital programmable control. Have you done this to your boat? If so, did you do it for both units?

I also like their condensator set up that would eliminate the condensate emptying into the ER. Nice mod to help keep the ER dry. My fwd unit drains into the shower sump, so that would not be an issue.

~Ken
Click to expand...

No, I haven't done the upgrade yet on my salon Cruisair unit...but I did replace the forward unit with a new Mermaid and upgraded to the FX-1 thermostat. The thermostat has more settings than I care to learn about...the standard digital one is probably good enough.

Once you install the condensator on the rear unit you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner...
 
ron dds said:
Ken - how many BTU is your larger unit? Are both of yours original and 3 knobbers? The PO of this boat replaced the forward unit with a 7K btu cruisair and SMX II control pad - the three-knobs are disconnected but still in the locker in the master stateroom. The aft unit is the original 16K btu Marine Air and 3-knob. It works OK but nothing lasts forever. I did replace the pump about 3 years ago.
Click to expand...

Mine are both original to the boat and I don't recall their sizes. All that I can remember is that the aft unit is the larger of the two. They both have the original three knob controls. I somehow think that my fwd unit is a bit less than 7k BTU and that the aft unit is 16k BTU. Where did the PO locate the new fwd stateroom t'stat?

My pump is still motoring along quite well. I keep a close eye on my (4) strainers for any undesirable crap that could cause me grief down the road. I am generally in the ER every w/e, so I stay on top of things.

I installed Flo-Scan units on both of the engines last summer. They are plumbed into the fuel lines & wired back up to the helm, but I never got the gauge and (4) toggle switches installed as I am getting Scott @ Vector to make me up some new dash panels very shortly. I think that I will get rid of the crappy old EL back lighting and get him to set up my panels with LED lites. I'll take some before & after shots of this project for sure.

regards, Ken
 
Ken, you've likely got the same units I have. The forward unit (original) was not 7K - might have been 5-6K. The salon unit is 16K BTU. In the forward strm, the pad is on the outside wall of the locker, almost back to back with the 3 knobs inside the locker.

Are you going with the woodgrain or the matte black on the new dash panels? I thought the black would look more appropriate on this boat and had discussions with Scott. It's the rewiring that's got me spooked!

Below is the salon unit (16K BTU) under the dinette seat.

100_0701.jpg
 
rondds said:
Ken, you've likely got the same units I have. The forward unit (original) was not 7K - might have been 5-6K. The salon unit is 16K BTU. In the forward storm, the pad is on the outside wall of the locker, almost back to back with the 3 knobs inside the locker.

Are you going with the wood grain or the matte black on the new dash panels? I thought the black would look more appropriate on this boat and had discussions with Scott. It's the rewiring that's got me spooked!

Below is the salon unit (16K BTU) under the dinette seat.

100_0701.jpg
Click to expand...

My aft 3 knobber is located inside the corner hanging locker directly above the AC unit & the fwd controls are located on the outside wall of the locker where yours are mounted on the inside. (subtle differences)

I haven't yet made a decision on the colour of the new dash panels. My existing dash colour is black, so I was toying with the idea of some other complimentary colour. Although I like the wood grain, it may be a bit too modern for this vintage of boat.

I am an Electrical Contractor, so I don't anticipate any wiring problems.

~Ken
 
I thought the same thing about the burled simulated wood grain. Might look a bit off for these older boats. I'd imagine you'd have no trouble with the wiring. I'm very detail oriented but am still daunted by that task.
 
rondds said:
I thought the same thing about the burled simulated wood grain. Might look a bit off for these older boats. I'd imagine you'd have no trouble with the wiring. I'm very detail oriented but am still daunted by that task.
Click to expand...

I will be open to suggestion about the panel colouring with Scott. I will be adding the Flo Scan stuff and will be moving a few things around, so I will have to take lots of pics & be careful to identify everything.

I will also be changing out my fresh water tank as my salon floor storage locker was getting damp last summer. It is the original aluminum tank and I have been going back and forth with Pietro about installing a s.s. tank. I have a buddy that does that kind of work, so I will have to suck up to him very shortly.

~Ken
 
Thanks for all the info. it sounds like the mermaid thermastat kit is the way to go. I am wondering if anyone has pulled the old control knob panel off. Are the controls connected to wire leads or to ridgid or flex ftubing. Thanks again for the help.
 
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