How cold of water will generate heat?

[psubill78]

We are being splashed, and we are expecting low 30's temps. The lake water (lake Michigan) is 39-40 right now.

Will the cruisair unit be able to function?

Bill

 

[cod]

I think you'll be fine. I just turned mine on this past weekend and I would think the water is similar temps, maybe a few degrees warmer. It produced heat as usual......

 

[psubill78]

Excellent!

 

[aquadancer]

Water on the Chesapeake was around 47 degree and we had the cabin in mid 70s... no probem

 

[920richardf]

About 38F minimum to generate heat.

 

[dpmulvey]

Depends on the unit. Rick is correct if your unit is original.

 

[Tonysca6]

Cruisair does not recommend water temps below 40*, 40 - 45* is around 50% capacity. Running below 40* can cause issues, low water temp sensor will shut down the if water to cold. Good luck.

 

[RollerCoastr]

That's true: Dometic doesn't recommend water colder than 40°, but my systems perform reliably, even impressively, down to 36°. (verified a few years ago with a scientific thermometer 1-2' below surface.) I've been running my R-C heat for a month now. My CruisAir units will cycle the compressor in cold water, but they won't shut off until they actually freeze, so I watch the discharge closely when I'm pushing the limits. Three weekends ago, the water temp dipped back to 35° or a little under, and the lines began to freeze up as they tried to warm the cold cabin. (I open a port hole and listen for diminished water output) I shut off the compressors and warmed the cabin about 10° with space heaters. I let the fan-only mode pull warm air into the units. After a few hours, I kicked them back on and they've been producing plenty of heat ever since.

As a "winter boater", I push these limits and I'm not recommending to everyone, but I wouldn't hesitate to depend on heat in 39° water.

 

[psubill78]

Good news, thanks guys! I may stay on the boat with a cabin heater just to be safe...

 

[Robski97]

The real issue is if everything is off and it gets cold. The unit will struggle but if the unit is on already and maintaining cabin temp ur in much better shape!

Rob

 

[Al Gross]

Agree with all...Cruiseair says 40-45 to not put undue strain on unit...our SR mechanic recommends same...my unit will still generate heat and run below 40, especially if already working...I personally wait until ~45 to be on safe side.

 

[psubill78]

hmmm, my unit is on it's last leg... makes god awful noises when it runs. Maybe this is my way to kill her for good

 

[Pack66Dad]

I put mine to the test on new years eve a couple years ago. Air temp was about 35, water temp is always about 47 degrees on Puget Sound. I turned my Cruiseair heater on and went to my buddies boat for the party, when we got back a couple hours later it was over 80 degrees in the boat.