Carver Owners Forum

My Riv has A/C that is non-functioning. Any suggestions as to how to go about discovering the why and wherefore, and how to avoid the big expense of a new install would be appreciated. It sure would make us feel in the lap of luxury to have A/C aboard!

First you have to identify what you have, what works and what doesn't work.

Is is just one A/C unit? Does the circulation pump work? Is there good water flow? Does the unit have any indication of power (lights, display, etc)? Does the fan work? Do you know what model it is? (most have a good label right on them) Do you have any pictures of the control panel?

I can check some of those things out tomorrow - but I haven't launched yet, so can't try to run things yet.
Maybe I should wait until it's in the water before trying anything out. It was supposed to be picked up today but the transporter put it pff to next weekend.

When you say it’s not functioning ....is it completely dead or just not cooling? As said, we need a lot more details. Check out the obvious, but start asking around for suggestions for a marine AC guy...you may need one.

If it's not in the water then don't try to run it for more than a few seconds unless you hook a hose and are running water through it. It needs a source of water to either heat or cool.

It goes in the water this coming Sunday. Attached is a pic of the controls. All I know so far is the surveyor said it doesn't work, either bc of the pump or the compressor or both. I imagine I should wait for it to be dunked before playing with it.

Well, before you dunk it you can check the strainer and the pump to make sure there is no debris in there. You can do that after you've dunked but you get just wetter in the process. You can take the end off the pump and make sure there is no debris that would stop the impeller from spinning. The impeller is usually magnetically coupled to the motor, so you can just pull the impeller out and wipe it off then put it all back together. Once in the water you have to "prime" the system because the pump will not draw water if there's air trapped in the system.

You can get rid of that air a number of ways once you're in the water and have the seacock open...
1) remove the output hose on the pump and run the pump until water shoots out, or
2) put a wet vacuum on the a/c water discharge port and it will suck water though the system, or
3) put a shore water hose on the a/c water discharge port and push water backwards through the system. Sometimes you can hear the air bubbling out under the boat and when that goes away you've filled the system, or just experiment with how long it takes.

Once you've purged that air, then you can turn the pump on and see if there's flow. Make sure the breakers are on for the water pump and the A/C system and turn the A/C control to "start". Check for water flow. If you've go flow then you can go on to test the A/C function. If you don't, then you need to troubleshoot that before you do any further. It's either an electrical problem in the circuit to the pump, the pump itself, or some blockage in the line somewhere.

Good luck on the launch!!

SunsetSteve wrote:Source of the post It goes in the water this coming Sunday. Attached is a pic of the controls. All I know so far is the surveyor said it doesn't work, either bc of the pump or the compressor or both. I imagine I should wait for it to be dunked before playing with it.

AC Controls.jpg

Chances are the surveyor may not have even tried a breaker......perhaps that is all it is....a quick reset.....

Thanks a lot for the input, guys. I will crawl down in there and see what I can determine before launch. Very new area for me. I have seen pics of the pumps so I think I can spot it.

Hello Cleve here. New member. 1979 carver mariner 3396. I needed to see how my AC controls worked and your picture looks like mine. My plate did not have any markings. Now o know what each setting does. Thanks