Dometic or what AC unit?

[ocgrant]

Buddies Cruisair unit shit the bed and needs to be replaced. Is Cruisair/Dometic the "go to" or is it worth looking at CTM or MarinAire? Anyone have experience? I am just not convinced that Dometic is the best quality....

 

[firecadet613]

Just replaced my Cruisair with MarinAire. Very happy with it, aside from a bad crimp melting a wire and relay on the control board.

Quite a few on here have them and I'm the first with an issue. Marinaire was quick to send parts, they just got the bad parts back today.

Overall, it's whisper quiet and a bit more features than the Cruisair... price wasn't bad either.

 

[ZZ13]

I just installed a CitiMarine CTM CT-16. We discussed it here:

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/where-to-source-new-dometic-ac-unit.105456/

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

I just installed a CitiMarine CTM CT-16. We discussed it here:

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/where-to-source-new-dometic-ac-unit.105456/

I also used the CTM CT-16 for the 320 DA. We just put it in last week. A couple of things... We had to add the additional drain that was supplied with the unit. The two drains suppled were on the wrong side for my installation. We needed to drill a new hole in the drain pan and glue on the new drain bib. Once we removed the collar that came on the unit there were holes available that we could attach the vent system directly on top of the AC unit. The 8 pin thermostat wire was much too short so I had to order an additional 10' cord from CTM. On my 320 DA the new CTM CT-16 just barely fit under the carpeted frame that sits on top of the AC unit. Fishing out the old thermostat wire and fishing the new one was a PITA.

 

[ocgrant]

I guess my bigger question is our boats have 4 units. If I replace with non dometic will I have any issues wiring into the boats pump control relay system from cruisair?

 

[firecadet613]

I guess my bigger question is our boats have 4 units. If I replace with non dometic will I have any issues wiring into the boats pump control relay system from cruisair?

The one difference I've noticed with MarineAir, which may impact your setup, is the water pump comes on a good 30-45 seconds before I hear the compressor kick on. With my Cruisair, I don't recall that being the case, I thought they came on at the same time.

 

[ZZ13]

I also used the CTM CT-16 for the 320 DA. We just put it in last week. A couple of things... We had to add the additional drain that was supplied with the unit. The two drains suppled were on the wrong side for my installation. We needed to drill a new hole in the drain pan and glue on the new drain bib. Once we removed the collar that came on the unit there were holes available that we could attach the vent system directly on top of the AC unit. The 8 pin thermostat wire was much too short so I had to order an additional 10' cord from CTM. On my 320 DA the new CTM CT-16 just barely fit under the carpeted frame that sits on top of the AC unit. Fishing out the old thermostat wire and fishing the new one was a PITA.

What did you use to glue it on? I used Goop. Looked like the collar was riveted on. Did you drill out the four rivets?

 

[Creekwood]

The one difference I've noticed with MarineAir, which may impact your setup, is the water pump comes on a good 30-45 seconds before I hear the compressor kick on. With my Cruisair, I don't recall that being the case, I thought they came on at the same time.

I noticed that too. I think it runs a bit after the compressor shuts off too. It must be by design.

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

What did you use to glue it on? I used Goop. Looked like the collar was riveted on. Did you drill out the four rivets?

I just used plugs on the two outlet's that came on the unit. I then drilled a hole on the other side and used the additional drain attachment that came in the kit. I went to Lowe's and bought a two-part glue for plastices. I actually broke one of the other plugs off as others have stated they are just glued on at the factory and will not take a whole bunch of force.

 

[hottoddie]

When my OEM 35yo (knocking on wood) Marine Air units fail I'll replace them with Flagship Marine AC units with electric heat. Simple no circuit board design, best warranty and you can run the heat when on land for the winter if plugged inro a good power source. Also the heat feature does not need to run the compressor so it's very quiet.

 

[hottoddie]

When my OEM 35yo (knocking on wood) Marine Air units fail I'll replace them with Flagship Marine AC units with electric heat. Simple no circuit board design, best warranty and you can run the heat when on land for the winter if plugged inro a good power source. Also the heat feature does not need to run the compressor so it's very quiet.

 

[douglee25]

When my OEM 35yo (knocking on wood) Marine Air units fail I'll replace them with Flagship Marine AC units with electric heat. Simple no circuit board design, best warranty and you can run the heat when on land for the winter if plugged inro a good power source. Also the heat feature does not need to run the compressor so it's very quiet.

They look like nice units.

 

[firecadet613]

When my OEM 35yo (knocking on wood) Marine Air units fail I'll replace them with Flagship Marine AC units with electric heat. Simple no circuit board design, best warranty and you can run the heat when on land for the winter if plugged inro a good power source. Also the heat feature does not need to run the compressor so it's very quiet.

They look great. A bit pricey but you do get what you pay for. A two week lead time on them....so they weren't considered when I replaced mine.

 

[370Dancer]

Just replaced my Cruisair with MarinAire. Very happy with it, aside from a bad crimp melting a wire and relay on the control board.

Quite a few on here have them and I'm the first with an issue. Marinaire was quick to send parts, they just got the bad parts back today.

I have had my 2 units for a number of years. About 1.5 years in, the 16K started making a hell of a racket, and then quit blowing. I removed the unit and discovered that the squirrel cage was coming apart, literally. I contacted MarinAire, and they asked me to send a photo of the blower cage. I did, and they overnighted me a new one. Apparently a bad batch of blower blades (plastic) in the early days. Not one issue since. OC, I also reused my Cruiseair demand switch (the relay box that turns on the water pump if either unit needs to cool).

 

[CaptRonn]

When my Dometic 16K died after 2 years from new, I contacted Dometic and was essentially told "sorry, out of warranty" but they did tell me they would supply me with a list of vendors where I could order a new one.

I did find a great deal on a NOS one, and bought it as it was previous to the models that are failing. If and when it goes I will go to MarinAire.

 

[Demoratics]

Last year I faced a similar problem. My air conditioner stopped giving cold (and it was in July and the heat was unbearable), but the air conditioner was new. I wanted to hand it over under warranty, but I decided to call the socool.sg and he fixed it and explained the reason to me. It turned out that dust, condensation from plants, plaque from the exhaust of vehicles had accumulated on the heat exchanger, which made it difficult to rotate the fan. All this worsened the heat exchange of the condenser with the environment and reduced the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. In addition, the compressor was turned off due to overheating of the system. I had to replace a few parts, but now it works perfectly for me. I hope you can handle it. Good luck!

 

[techmitch]

Last year I faced a similar problem. My air conditioner stopped giving cold (and it was in July and the heat was unbearable), but the air conditioner was new. I wanted to hand it over under warranty, but I decided to call the socool.sg and he fixed it and explained the reason to me. It turned out that dust, condensation from plants, plaque from the exhaust of vehicles had accumulated on the heat exchanger, which made it difficult to rotate the fan. All this worsened the heat exchange of the condenser with the environment and reduced the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. In addition, the compressor was turned off due to overheating of the system. I had to replace a few parts, but now it works perfectly for me. I hope you can handle it. Good luck!

Huh?

 

[HawkX66]

Huh?

What? You're having a hard time believing this happened to a new a/c unit? In a boat? Lol...
"It turned out that dust, condensation from plants, plaque from the exhaust of vehicles had accumulated on the heat exchanger, which made it difficult to rotate the fan"

 

[mquiet]

I also have 4 units on the boat. I have replaced the salon and captains forward bedroom with Webastos. They are quiet, and have an option for additional wireless remote control. The temps are are spot on. I also like that in AC mode the fan always stays on to circulate air in the summer and the heat mode will shut the unit down once satisfied for a few minutes. I am 3 years on the forward/Captains bedroom unit and 2 years on the salon. I know temp is perfect as I have a inside temp garage that I keep across the room from the AC unit and they are always reading the same temp.

 

[JvilleJeff78]

I swapped out my 16,000 BTU Dometic self-contained unit with the CTM 16 two years ago, and it's been a solid upgrade. The installation was painless for the most part, and the compact design made fitting it into the existing space a breeze. What really stands out is the performance – this thing is a workhorse. I've used it consistently throughout the summer, and it's proven to be reliable and efficient.

The cooling power is impressive, and it maintains a comfortable atmosphere on the boat without breaking a sweat. And in my case, I didn’t have to change my thermostat. I had an Elite-2, and it worked perfectly. If you're looking for a dependable marine air conditioner, CTM marine has my vote.