srl520

I have researched that the digital control for the A/C has a tendency to malfunction at times. Mine works most of the time except yesterday.

The compressor would kick in and start to blow cold air for about 5sec and then the control panel would start blinking 98, then this line (----),then 98,then this (----). After blinking this sequence for about 1min. The compressor would kick on again for about 5sec. and then the blinking again.

The unit was running fine for about 10min before it started acting up.
I checked that the cooling water discharge was working.
I felt that the compressor was not to hot and over heating.
I replugged the cable into the back of the control panel.
I shut all power down and tried it again.
I got the manual out and made sure I was programed to the default settings.

Anyone have a resolution short of replacement.

Can the wires be crossed and by pass the thermostat just to get me by this weekend?

A/C would be nice since it is 108 right now.

Mbam

It's possible the condenser is scaled, how many hours on it?

Does the manual tell you what the 98 means?

srl520

98 was the current temp in the cabin.

scaled compressor. Whats that mean for sure?

Mbam

Oh - you were lookin for an expert I am far from it.

However i have figured out how to fix the one on my boat.

The condensor is the part that takes the hot Freon and cools it with the water supplied by the pump. If it gets clogged with mineral deposits or critters (like we have down here) it can't do it's job. This results in high pressure in the system which usually opens a switch. Same result with a bad or air locked pump, but you said it's pumping. The fix is running some acid through the water part of the system.

Am I making sense?

The fact that it cools for a bit and then shuts down makes me think it might be the problem.

srl520

Ok, I understand all that and how it works.
My discharge flow seems to be the same as always when it did run for the first 10 min.
I have a problem with the pump priming sometimes to I always check to see that I have good flow out the discharge.

What is the procedure for flushing the system with acid?

Tinkerer

Sounds to me like it is low on freon.
If if was a dirty filter or dirty condenser it would have to run longer than 5 seconds to trip out a pressure switch.
Low freon levels will trip out the compressor after about 5 seconds.
Find the larger pipe that comes off of the compressor and look for an object the size of a large peanut with two wires coming off of it. Trace where these wires go to a put a jumper accrost those two wires - If the unit is low on freon the compressor will stay running after the 5 seconds. After it stays running for 30 seconds pull the jumper and if the compressor shuts down you are low on freon.
This is NOT any type of a fix. DO NOT RUN the A/C with the jumper installed for more than 30 seconds.

ezstriper

what brand of a/c ? sounds like either a cruise air or marine air systems( they are the same just painted blue vs white) if so sound like the control unit is failing...common on these, they have several different ones and are NOT interchangable, get the # off the back to get the correct one..not cheap either 250-300 last one I got, there is a master reset you can try per your manual, ....good luck..Rob

srl520

Thanks for responses,
I am leaning toward the control panel problem more because it does cause me problems frequently, but usually I reset to default and it does work again.
Anyone know if you can go into the control box on the a/c unit and bypass the control panel/thermostat?

srl520

This morning I start trouble shooting again. I think I need a new unit.

Now, the compressor tries to start and then starts hummin and blows the breaker.

Looking at the new units, the fan vent is not in the same place as the unit that I have. Appears that I may have to modify, cut new hole for vent. Not what I really want to do.

Has anyone had the A/C rebuilt, possibly new compressor?

ezstriper

compressor just took a dump...replaced a unit recently same exact deal...not worth replacing compressor, and you still have a thermostat problem as well...give me a call and can set you up with a new mermaid and info on changing it over...Rob 540-786-8111