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Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 20th, 2015, 8:47 am
by woodyboater
We got on the boat Fri evening and turned on the AC and both units started cooling. Went outside and sat and started some cleaning and when we went back in the main salon unit had quit. No life. Checked the breaker and it is working. Checked the inline fuse behind the switch and it is good. Any suggestions?
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 20th, 2015, 12:01 pm
by waybomb
The breaker is working, meaning, you checked volts with a vom at the breaker and at the ac unit?
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 20th, 2015, 8:14 pm
by Viper
I agree with Fred. Back to basics and ensure there is power at the unit before you go any further.
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 23rd, 2015, 12:10 pm
by woodyboater
Thanks for the replies.
Was trying to check power at the switch but couldn't get any results across any of the switch connections or the wire spade connectors. My meter didn't have continuity capability so I bought another one that does have. I'll check the switch for continuity this weekend. Inside the blue power box, is there a fuse similar to a house AC unit?
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 26th, 2015, 8:22 am
by woodyboater
Got to the boat Fri nite and girl friend had the V-Berth AC running. Thought I would see if the main salon would run. Turned it on and it started up and compressor started cooling. Thought it might have gotten too cold and froze up so I turned the temp up and the compressor stopped. I thought 'oh crap' and (without thinking) immediately turned the temp down. As the compressor started something clicked (like a rest button) and the unit went off. Is there another breaker/reset button someplace other than the main elect panel?
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 26th, 2015, 11:37 am
by waybomb
I can't imagine there would be two protection devices.
I think my next step would be to look for electrical terminations in the area where you heard the click. Could be loose/corroded wires.
(turn the electric off first!)
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 26th, 2015, 8:28 pm
by Viper
If i'm reading you right; the compressor was running, then you shut it off, then you asked it to come back on again right away. If that's the case, the clicking you heard is the compressor's cutout kicking in which is normal when the compressor is forced to start up again right after a shut down. This forces it to try and start against high head pressure. Next time that happens, shut it off and wait a few minutes before asking it to turn back on again. This allows the head pressure to drop first and make it easier for the compressor to start.
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: July 27th, 2015, 8:52 am
by woodyboater
Thanks,
I tried it several times over the weekend and it would not start blowing. Seems like after it set for a week that it reset itself and started this week. I'll try it again next weekend and see what happens.
Re: Trouble shooting AC on 3697
Posted: October 2nd, 2015, 12:06 am
by My Jurisdiction
Check the strainer system for clogging. It has happen to me at dock. /sitting at dock the system can suck trash for the port your docked in.