Replacing my CruiseAir 16000BTU system

[Georgia SeaDawg]

My CruiseAir compressor failed. Should I replace the whole system, or just the compressor? The system is 11 years old. The drain pan is very rusty. I'm thinking, replace the whole system, since they should be more efficient. What do y'all think? I'm in South Georgia, and I run the system all the time. It's a 16000 BTU CruiseAir system.

 

[ZZ13]

My general approach is one major repair and then replace the system with the second failure. So if it were me I'd probably due the compressor unless the cost differential from a new unit wasn't favorable. A fellow owner of a 2001 400DB replaced his 16000btu compressor at around the 12 year mark. He is happy with that decision two years later.

 

[blaster]

I would inspect the coil before making a decision. Nothing worse then replacing the compressor only to have the system fail again within a year.

 

[jthatcher]

Replace with new and be done with it.

 

[Georgia SeaDawg]

That is what I'm thinking, jthatcher. HAs anyone done this replacement? I've already removed the old unit. It's only 100 right now. I lost 5 pounds in sweat today!

 

[bahamabreisus]

AC replacement fairly simple, you have already done half. There are other brands that are far less expensive than Cruiseair. We have 3 Mermaids on ours and have been very happy.

 

[ZZ13]

Chris, local marine HVAC specialist told me you can use your existing SMX controller with the new Cruisair units. Just some data for your decision.

 

[ktcanuck]

I have done this replacement. It is easy and I would recommend it. The new unit is quieter and better made. The pan is composite. The only two issues I found were that the inlet and outlet hose positions are reversed from the 1996 version which required a short extension on one side and the SMX II connectors were different and required a short adapter cable. If you can hear your a/c unit I would also suggest you buy the compressor cover which reduces noise significantly.

 

[Georgia SeaDawg]

I completed the change out last night. Like ktcanuck said, the in and out connections were on the opposite side. We had to rig up some extension hoses. No big deal. The only down side was that without labor, the change out was 3 boat dollars. However, living in South Georgia, it was well worth it.

 

[ZZ13]

Looks like you then got another Cruisair, is that correct?

 

[Georgia SeaDawg]

Correct. While it's rated for 16,000 BTU's like the old one, the new one blows colder and with more air flow. I guess that can be expected, as the old unit was run constantly for 10 years in salt water.