A/C Compressor Sweating

[PaulM]

I have a 16,000 BTU marine A/C unit that works well. In poking around yesterday I noticed that the compressor was sweating. I'm not an A/C guy, but that seemed odd to me. I read that a sweating compressor could indicate that the system is over charged. Before I go screwing up a perfectly good system, i would like to get others opinion.

Thanks
Paul

[S/V Illusion]

Which part of the compressor unit?
As with the refrigeration compressor, some parts normally cause condensation and should be insulated to prevent water damage to the surrounding wood. In the case of your A/C, the drip pan's name should give you a clue that it is normal.

[PaulM]

Thanks for the reply. The unit is a remote system with the compressor/condenser separated from the evaporator/blower by ~15 ft. The whole compressor itself is cold and sweating. No drip pan there.

[mesquaukee]

Check the evaporator coil for any blockage of air flow, dirt, dust, lint or bent or compressed fins, etc.
A compressor sweating means cold gas or even liquid refrigerant is entering the compressors dome which can severly damage the unit. The compressor dome should be hot to the touch.

[PaulM]

Thanks. I cleaned the evaporator (not too dirty) and filter (dirtier). A little better. I put gages on the unit. 76 psig for the low side and 240 psig for the high side. The top of the compressor was cool to cold, the bottom was luke-warm. Was moving heat well.

Paul