What would you replace a CruisAir 12k BTU with?

[firecadet613]

Think my CruisAir 12k BTU unit has bit the dust. It's an '07 and fine until a few weeks ago when the compressor didn't want to kick on.

Thought it was the reversing valve solenoid, but no such luck. The last two weeks I was able to get it to fire up. Yesterday when we arrived to the boat, it started just fine and stayed running. Went for a cruise this morning and afterwards it's a no go. I can hear the clicks and the hum of the compressor trying to start, but no luck.

15 years is a good run, especially since we head out on a 10 day cruise in a week. So I'm looking for a unit that's in stock.

Any suggestions?

 

[CaptRonn]

www.marinaire.com

 

[firecadet613]

www.marinaire.com

Do you have one? A friend was looking at it but for whatever reason went with a Dometic....which keeps tripping the breaker.

 

[CaptRonn]

I don’t, but if I have to buy I’m going this route.

I know people who own them and really like them.

 

[firecadet613]

They look good to me. My 12k unit does a great job keeping the cabin cool. Would you go with a 11k or 14k unit?

 

[CaptRonn]

Not sure. Maybe someone with some AC knowledge will come along and say which is the better.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Lots of dock neighbors have replaced with Marineair….which is owned by Dometic if memory serves me. They are good looking units, cheaper, and no problems to date. Too early to tell if they will last 15 years. I would lean toward the 14K unit, but talk to an HVAC pro.

Bennett

 

[CaptRonn]

Lots of dock neighbors have replaced with Marineair….which is owned by Dometic if memory serves me. They are good looking units, cheaper, and no problems to date. Too early to tell if they will last 15 years. I would lean toward the 14K unit, but talk to an HVAC pro.

Bennett

Marinaire is a Chinese built unit, not to be confused with MarineAir.

However, as previously noted, many are having good results with the MarinAire units.

 

[dtfeld]

I’d lean towards the 11k. Unit may run a little longer but will dehumidify better. Adding BTUs may make it cool but clammy.

 

[firecadet613]

Yeah I think I need to talk to a pro to see which way to go since they don't have a similar BTU unit. I can't see thinking about fixing my 15 year old unit when for under $2,000 and a few hours I can go brand new.

Looking at these two.

https://www.marinaire.com/Marine-air-conditioner-11000-btu-110V-p/msba11k2.htm

https://www.marinaire.com/Marine-air-conditioner-14000-btu-110V-p/msba14k2.htm

 

[ttmott]

Think my CruisAir 12k BTU unit has bit the dust. It's an '07 and fine until a few weeks ago when the compressor didn't want to kick on.

Thought it was the reversing valve solenoid, but no such luck. The last two weeks I was able to get it to fire up. Yesterday when we arrived to the boat, it started just fine and stayed running. Went for a cruise this morning and afterwards it's a no go. I can hear the clicks and the hum of the compressor trying to start, but no luck.

15 years is a good run, especially since we head out on a 10 day cruise in a week. So I'm looking for a unit that's in stock.

Any suggestions?

It almost sounds like the start capacitor is failing which is a cheap and simple fix....
If you have two or three Cruiseair units on your boat then probably also the separate relay module to run the raw water pump; if that's the case then you will probably need another Dometic Cruiseair unit. Probably the Dometic Turbo DTG 12K BTU would be my choice.

 

[Chris-380]

I haven’t ever looked at one, but could be as simple as a capacitor that helps the compressor start/run

 

[firecadet613]

It almost sounds like the start capacitor is failing which is a cheap and simple fix....
If you have two or three Cruiseair units on your boat then probably also the separate relay module to run the raw water pump; if that's the case then you will probably need another Dometic Cruiseair unit. Probably the Dometic Turbo DTG 12K BTU would be my choice.

Just the one unit, any more details on the start capacitor?

 

[Chris-380]

Here is a similar unit

 

[Creekwood]

Do you have one? A friend was looking at it but for whatever reason went with a Dometic....which keeps tripping the breaker.

I bought a Marinaire 9K to replace my Cruiseair 12K that bit the dust. This will be my 3rd summer. It is great. Installation was pretty simple. It is a bit taller than the old one so I had to remove a "shelf" in the under berth compartment that the old one sat on. (check the height comparison on yours if you decide to use them) I also had to fashion a copper L-shaped pipe to extend the water inlet because there was no extra water pipe in the sea ray install and I needed about 4 inches because the lines were not an exact alignment. Just plugged in power and the existing water pump wiring into the MarineAire control box and it was gold. The air outlet rotates and I was able to get a perfect set up. The hardest part was running the "phone wire" to the thermostat location.

Its quieter and in our climate the 9K is just as good as the 12K on my 330.

I really like the fact that the thermostat has a lot of options including a pre-set humidity level rather than temperature. I use that when I am away.

Price was good (Total including shipping and taxes was $1,450) and they shipped from Miami to a pickup location in Buffalo that I was able to drive to easily for pick up.

 

[firecadet613]

Is this it?

 

[Risingson]

Marinaire. All the way love it small and QUIET
No up charge for
Remote
Sound shield
Thermostat

 

[sbw1]

Why would you not replace it with the same size and brand if it worked well for 15 years?

 

[firecadet613]

@Creekwood great info! It seems like the 11k unit would be more comparable than the 14k unit. Height is not an issue where it is and I'm sitting on new a/c water lines...was planning on swapping them all out in the fall.

 

[Chris-380]

See if those leads are tied to the compressor, but that is def a capacitor

Is this it?
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