Air Conditioner keeps kicking off

brettcloak

brettcloak

Member
Jul 12, 2009
71
Maryland
Boat Info
282 XSF
Engines
Twin Yamaha 250
My AC keeps turning off less than 15 seconds after I turn it on and there is no water coming out of the side of the boat where it would normally when the AC is running.

The boat is new so they are going to fix it under warranty but I was wondering what everyone thinks it could be.

When I picked the boat up the same thing happend and they said that there was an air pocket in the line from the intake to the unit. I have had it running (fine) at least 5 times since but today it started again.

They are going to "fix" it tomorrow because we are going to Baltimore this weekend. I dont have to tell you that if it happens again while we are down there how pissed the wife will be and how fast we will be checking into the Marriott!!

I don't just want it fixed I want the problem diagnosed so it does not happen again.

Bret
 
brettcloak said:
My AC keeps turning off less than 15 seconds after I turn it on and there is no water coming out of the side of the boat where it would normally when the AC is running.

The boat is new so they are going to fix it under warranty but I was wondering what everyone thinks it could be.

When I picked the boat up the same thing happend and they said that there was an air pocket in the line from the intake to the unit. I have had it running (fine) at least 5 times since but today it started again.

They are going to "fix" it tomorrow because we are going to Baltimore this weekend. I dont have to tell you that if it happens again while we are down there how pissed the wife will be and how fast we will be checking into the Marriott!!

I don't just want it fixed I want the problem diagnosed so it does not happen again.

Bret
Click to expand...

What does it say on the digital read out for the air conditioning controller, the box on the wall where you set the temperature?

PS: It could be a clogged intake or strainer.

The Sea Cock is open, right?
 
the sea cock is open and i dont think that there is an obstruction, especially because there was the very same problem two weeks ago when i picked it up.

thanks for the reply

brett
 
is the circuit breaker popping or does the unit just not turn on but has power?
 
no, the compressor just kicks on then immediatly kicks off, the fan keeps running. it has power

brett
 
Sounds like the pump is not putting water thru the condensor so the compressor is short cycling due to high pressures from not being cooled. Either the pump isn't working or you are sucking air/lost prime. Could there be a blockage in the line from the strainer to the pump or from there to the unit?
 
This sounds like the exact same thing that happened to me with my brand new 280 which I just picked up couple weeks ago. A/C tries to run, but cycles off 3 times and then quits completely with the code 'HI PS'. First time it happened the dealer tech was onhand and went below and said a fitting was loose causing the system to suck in air instead of water. So I thought it was fixed until last week in 85 deg weather when it failed again. (Yes, its supposed to be a new boat!
icon8.gif
) So I went below and checked all the fittings and found the plastic elbow fitting which screws into a hose was slightly loose. Took it apart, refit and re-tightened it and A/C was back to working.

I wonder if these parts easily become loosened with the combination of the heat and constant jarring. Dunno. Anyway, that was the issue with mine. Apparently, if the fittings are at all loose, its much easier for the pump to suck air than water which overheats the pump and forces a shut down.
 
thanks for that one, i plan on being at the boat when the tech comes tomorrow. i will let you all know what happens!!

brett
 
Either that or it just needs to be primed.

Close through hull. Open strainer top.
Open through hull - See water gush out of strainer, or, fix blockage.
Close through hulll. Close Strainer. Open through hull back up and leave open.
Pull hose off from the far side (opposite strainer) of the A/C pump until water flows through due to gravity. If pump is mounted too high, have someone turn it on while you loosen that hose (they shouldn't be mounted that high, I don't think). When water begins to flow, put hose back on and tighten clamps.

I loosen the clamps a little and insert an awl until I hear water/air come out and hold it there until only water comes out, then remove the awl and tighten the clamps.

If you take your boat out of the water, you may have to do this again. If you run in rough seas and allow water to back out of the system and be replaced by air, you may have to do this again. If a freak bubble of air works its way into the strainer intake, you may have to do this again. If there is a leak between the through hull and the hose you took off, you may have to do this again. If your pump (not the motor, but the pump side) is worn, damaged, or clogged, you may have to do this again.

Many people have posted that if you start the genny, then, run the boat on plane, then turn on the A/C, it will prime.
 
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How is the power in your marina? Mine does that in marinas that have poor electrical service. Runs fine at home. I'm pulling 115 volts at home but away if it dips to 95 or 100, my system does what is happening to yours. Its a failsafe to protect the compressor. There might not be anything wrong with your a/c.
 
the verdict is in!!!! the strainer top is cracked and is leaking water into the bilge and creating an air pocket. I was not down in the engine room but the tech said that the plastic top was the culprit and they are changing it tomorrow. thank goodness because my wife is not going to baltimore in this heat without a/c!!!

thanks for the help everyone, i know that this was a weird one because of how many different things it could have been

brett
 
brettcloak said:
the verdict is in!!!! the strainer top is cracked and is leaking water into the bilge and creating an air pocket. I was not down in the engine room but the tech said that the plastic top was the culprit and they are changing it tomorrow. thank goodness because my wife is not going to baltimore in this heat without a/c!!!

thanks for the help everyone, i know that this was a weird one because of how many different things it could have been

brett
Click to expand...

remember next time to check the strainer and open to let water fill it, that usually fixes it, or just take off on plane and the pressure created will force water through. Mine has a scoop on the bottom of the boat to help force water in. I'm sure yours does too.
 
ultratiger89 said:
remember next time to check the strainer and open to let water fill it, that usually fixes it, or just take off on plane and the pressure created will force water through. Mine has a scoop on the bottom of the boat to help force water in. I'm sure yours does too.
Click to expand...

That won't solve the cracked strainer problem. Still gonna suck air through the crack and lose prime.
Those damn plastic strainer covers are a pain. Took me half a day to figure out that the same problem was preventing my pressure water system from priming. Sometimes the cracks are so small you can barely see them. Glad it was an easy fix.
 
Mine is doing this as well. My strainer is made of metal. So that isn’t going to be my problem will check these items mentioned in this thread an hope I can correct my problem as well
 
D.B. said:
Mine is doing this as well. My strainer is made of metal. So that isn’t going to be my problem will check these items mentioned in this thread an hope I can correct my problem as well
Click to expand...

Check the gasket in the strainer metal top. On my boat it was a thin cork gasket that did not hold a seal. I bought a neoprene gasket sheet from an auto parts store and cut myself a replacement that works much better.
 
Ok, it was my pump. Replaced with a new one and it works like a champ.
 
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