A good manual for equipment is always necessary for owner. Each of two tables below could become an indispensable manual. They contain detailed information that can be useful in the case of Cruisair air conditioner troubleshooting. They have possible causes of malfunctions and ways to fix them.
Cruisair Marine Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
| Trouble | Probable Cause | Symptoms | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor fails to start | Power source failure | No current at power source | Check for tripped circuit breaker |
| Faulty switch assembly | No current at condensing unit terminal strip | Check for faulty switch | |
| Low voltage | Compressor tries to start & then cuts off | Correct power source | |
| Faulty high pressure switch | Voltage to switch but no voltage between the switch and compressor | Replace high pressure switch | |
| Faulty compressor | Unit draws locked rotor amp. (locked rotor amp found on data plate) | Replace compressor | |
| Compressor cycles every 15 to 30 seconds | Low voltage | Compressor’s thermal overload opens | Correct power source |
| Incorrect refrigerant charge | Excessive head pressure | ||
| Restricted condenser air flow | Excessive head pressure. High pressure switch opens | Correct condenser air flow | |
| High pressure switch incorrectly set | Switch opens before 425 psig head pressure | Replace high pressure switch | |
| System not cooling | Switch assembly not set properly or thermostat satisfied | Ventilation operation only | Set switch and thermostat at correct selection |
| No or restricted air flow | Compressor cycles quickly | Check for restricted condenser air flow | |
| System low on refrigerant | Compressor suction line warm | Check refrigerant charge | |
| Thermostat satisfied | Compressor runs for short time and then cycles off | Reset thermostat to desired level. Calibrate if necessary | |
| Iced cooling unit | Restricted air flow | Restricted discharge air flow | Clean return air filter & check for airflow restrictions |
| Low refrigerant charge | Compressor suction line warm | Check refrigerant charge | |
| Blower or fan motor inoperative | Power source failure | No current at power system | Check for tripped circuit breaker |
| Low voltage | Hot motor. Motor thermal’electric protector open | Check power source | |
| Faulty switch assembly | No power to motor | Replace faulty switch | |
| Cooling unit throwing water out of discharge grill | Blocked or restricted condensate drain | Excessive water out of discharge grill | Check for condensate drain restrictions |
Cruisair FCF 5,000 Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
| FAULT | POSSIBLE REASON | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| Will not start | A/C circuit breaker is off | Turn circuit breaker on at ship’s panel, |
| Display control is not turned on. | Check wiring Diagram and correct if necessary. | |
| Incorrect wiring at terminal strip. | Disconnect power supply and open electric box, check wiring diagram, correct if necessary. | |
| Push-on butt connectors pulled apart during installation. | Check power source (shore/generator) for proper voltage. | |
| Input line voltage is insufficient, | Check wiring and terminals for proper sizes and connections. | |
| Fan not running. | Check your specific control Troubleshooting section | |
| No cooling or heating | Temperature set point is above (in cooling) or below (in heating) ambient temperature | Lower or raise set point. |
| Obstructed seawater flow. | Clean seawater strainer. Check for obstructions at speed scoop thru-hull inlet. Check for a good steady flow from the overboard discharge. | |
| Seawater pump maybe air-locked. | Remove hose from pump discharge to purge air from line | |
| Loss refrigerant gas. | Check a/c unit for refrigerant oil leakage, call service technician. | |
| Seawater temperature too high for cooling or too low for heating. | Seawater temperature will directly affect a/c unit’s efficiency. This a/c unit can effectively cool your boat in water temperature up to 90°F and heat (if reverse cycle option is installed) in water as tow as 40°F. | |
| Coil is iced (in cooling) | ||
| Fan is not running. | ||
| Pressure switch or thermal overload opened. | Check you specific control troubleshooting section. | |
| No Heating | Unit is “cool only”, or stuck in reverse cyde. Reversing valve may be stuck. | Tap reversing valve lightly with rubber mallet while unit is in heat mode, Call for service if that does not correct the problem |
| Low air flow | Air flow is blocked | Remove any obstructions in return air stream, Clean return air filter and grille. Check for crushed or restricted ducting, duding must be as straight, smooth and taut as possible. |
| Coil is iced | See below. | |
| Coil is iced | Thermostat set point is too low | Raise set point. |
| Improper air flow | Remove any obstructions in return air stream. Clean return air filter and grille. Check for crushed or restricted ducting, duding must be as straight, smooth and taut as possible. | |
| Supply air is short-cyding. | Redirect supply air so that is not blowing into the return air stream. Seal any air leaks on duct. | |
| Seawater temperature is below 40°F | Shut down system to prevent damage to condenser. Allow coil to defrost (see below). | |
| Humidity level too high. | Close hatches and doors. | |
| When all else fails. | Switch a/c to heat until ice melts or use hair dryer to melt. | |
| Check your spedfic control troubleshooting sadiron. | ||
| System runs continuously. | Set point temperature is improperly set: too low for cooling or too high for heating. | Raise or lower set point. |
| Porthole or hatches open. | Close all port holes and hatches. | |
| Seawater temperature too high for cooling or to low for heating. | Seawater temperature will directly affect the a/c unit’s efficiency. This a/c unit can effectively cool your boat in water temperatures up to 90°F and heat (if reverse cycle option is installed) in water as low as 40°F. |