CruiseAir Problem

[RaptorDance]

Hi folks!

The cruising season is drawing to a close down here on the Mexican Riviera and we're getting ready to head home. (in case you're curious, there are absolutely no signs of the Flu down here.) But before we go, I'm trying to solve a problem that cropped up with our AC last night.

We have two 16,000 BTU Cruisair split units with SMX II controllers on our Valiant 50, Raptor Dance. Last night the Port unit came up with the following problem. When the unit is in AC mode (Cooling), the water pump">raw water pump starts as expected and fan comes up in speed. Both as they should. However the compressor does not start (no current draw). There are no other symptoms and no error codes. It's as if everything is fine - except no compressor running.

Since we have two units, I swapped the two controllers (the SMX units) and the problem remained with the specific unit - it did not follow the controller. So the controller appears fine.

Also, a reset of the unit electronics did not change a thing.

The symptom are not those of a frozen compressor - which is large current draw that pops the breaker.

So before I go diving into the transom (a time consuming chore as the compressor and control box are behind the propane lockers which I have to remove to get there). Does anybody have any other ideas?

Fortunately, there is a good local service guy - unfortunately, he can't fit us in until after we're scheduled to head back North.

Regards,
Bill Finkelstein
SV Raptor Dance

[markpj23]

Since the cooling water pump comes on the system is calling for cooling. That means the thermostat is OK. It might also rule out a limit switch issue since shutdown due to high / low pressure limit switch should also shut off the raw water cooling signal.

Have you checked for 115v at the compressor leads? Is there a red reset button on the compressor housing itself?

[GordMay]

What Mark said - Compressor Power.
Check for:
tripped/blown Breaker/Fuse, overload relay, wiring ...

[markpj23]

Maybe a quick check without diving into the transom locker would be to disconnect the compressor power leads and read resistance across. You should get a high resistance reading and not an open of course.

[S/V Illusion]

Another possibility may be a bad started capacitor - Had this happen to our A/C once. A $5 part and a 15 minute fix