New AC

jmauld

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2020
2,843
Carolina Beach
Boat Info
2010 Sundancer 390
2016 Sea Hunt Ultra 211
Engines
Twin 8.1l of gas guzzling iron
I’m being told that I need a new AC unit. I’m looking at this thing and it doesn’t look all that difficult to replace.

any of you swap out an old cruise air for a newer unit recently? My HVAC guys wants to install a DTG16k for $4400.
 
I’m being told that I need a new AC unit. I’m looking at this thing and it doesn’t look all that difficult to replace.

any of you swap out an old cruise air for a newer unit recently? My HVAC guys wants to install a DTG16k for $4400.

It's very easy, if it is a self contained unit. The air box may be a bit difficult depending on if it is split or not. Depending on the age, the air box may not align right and you may need a new one. But the rest is easy, if you have access. While your at it, you should upgrade the thermostat to the smart touch wifi.
 
Look into Webasto units, much quieter and way more efficient. Cost less also. Typically easy swap, 2 hoses and some wires. Defender and Citimarine are the best places to check.
 
So these things come precharged? Just bolt them in, wire the controller, run the vents and give it power? Looks like I could save about 2 grand doing this myself
 
AC is on my short list of pending projects. But I fully plan on it being far more difficult than is being described here. Access is beautiful, I can see everything, looks very straightforward - so I know there must be a catch. There's no way this doesn't turn into a 3 trip to West Marine project. No fricken way :)
 
I've replaced all 3 of ours over the years. Depending on access, it is not difficult. Depending on where the hoses and wiring line up to the new unit will dictate the challenge. None of mine lined up, so yes, a trip or 2 to the boat store for fittings, hoses, etc. It took the better part of a day for each of mine, but worth it.

One thing to consider is where/how to dispose of old unit?
 
It really is a pretty easy DIY project. They are pretty much drop in replacements. Connection are the AC electric, raw water and the ducting and a drain. The caveat is that all of these connections may not be in the exact same place, or orientation. Each Mfg puts these things in slightly different places.

I bought a 16k CTM from Citimarine, and it shipped right to my door. Everything was fine except to get access to the filter screen, I had to spin the unit 180*. Required a little bit of duct work, but it’s much better that the of Cruisaire Turbo unit it replaced.

Lesson is, you need to map everything out.
 
Any specialized tools needed to do this?
 
Any specialized tools needed to do this?

Nope, it's a very easy project. Buy the replacement and map it out. Two water lines, power hook up and the airbox. I ended up having a friend make me a new aluminum airbox, as my new MarineAire unit had a round air exit vs the square on my original CruiseAir.
 
Okay okay. I’m convinced.
Any good reviews/comparisons of the different units? Any of them have controllers that can be monitored/controlled remotely?
 
Any specialized tools needed to do this?

Not sure. I would buy one if I needed to but was attracted to them for the warranty and electric heat option plus the made in USA aspect.
 
I am in the process of replacing my salon one now. It is an easy process as everyone is saying. As much as I looked into other manufacturers and units because they would be quiter or more efficient I chose to replace it with the exact same Dometic unit so that it is literally just swapping wires, water lines and ducts. The blower output is exactly the same so airbox screwed right on. Check out post 2447 in the 52DB thread for some pics
 
Some AC porn…. I did both of mine 2 years ago….. fairly simple DIY…I had a hardware store close by though….. I went marineaire….. not thrilled with their thermostat control….. needed to make a square hole from a round hole…. Not impressed so check that.

9D6CE579-C4F9-4F9F-9739-C0D4A4982DD5.jpeg
 
Okay okay. I’m convinced.
Any good reviews/comparisons of the different units? Any of them have controllers that can be monitored/controlled remotely?
Funny you should ask.
I replaced mine with Marinaire units years ago. They came with the wall unit controller, and an IR remote control. I have long wanted to monitor, and control the units over the internet. Technology is now available to do that for relatively small money.
Marinaire touts a relationship with a third party company that has a hub that will do an IR blast to your wall unit controller. That one is not cheap. At the same time, there is a company that gaining a lot of traction in the home automation control industry called Switchbot. Their big claim to fame besides their physical button pushers, is their hub that is also an IR blaster.
Most A/C remote controls are a bit of a unicorn in the IR world. Here's what I mean. When you push a button on an A/C remote, it doesn't just send a single code. It sends a series of codes that set the mode, temp, fan setting and the like at the same time. Kind of like a macro. Also, there is no feedback. The wall unit won't tell the remote through IR what the temperature actually is. So, you have to incorporate something like a separate temp monitor for the room, along with the programming of the IR blaster to set the A/C to a certain temp. Then, you would have to use something like IFTTT (If This Then That) scenario programming to tell the A/C to set the temp to a certain value based on what the room temp monitor is broadcasting. There's a pretty good u-tube on how to do this.
Recently (weeks ago), Switchbot has released an updated hub that has a temp humidity monitor built in. I assume this was to address the feedback loop of controlling the environment stuff like A/C's and window blinds. That has great promise of simplifying this whole thing.
So, for 70 bucks or so, get the new hub 2, and then use your existing A/C remote to program the code strings needed to set the unit to specific modes and temps.
I'm about to do it myself, but it's times 3 for 2 boats and an RV.
https://www.amazon.com/SwitchBot-Th...?keywords=switchbot+hub&qid=1683053592&sr=8-4
Besides this solution, there are no real cost effective ways to add over the top remote monitoring and control. At least not without getting into the controller box of the A/C and trying to wire up a household thermostat to it. There are a lot of differences between house units, and boat/RV units. I know, I've done them all over the last year or so.
 
Great thread, good to know. I paid about $5k to have the one in my prior Regal 3780 replaced about 15 years ago.

Why not just drop a window unit in a hatch or porthole?
 

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