T&T: Air Conditioners

[Steve -Comcast]

Ken Tucknott wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Had one of our air conditioners checked today, and was told that it needed a
> new compressor.  The unit is a Marine Air System MTC-X 1989 vintage.  Does
> <SNIP>  Any & all help/suggestions will be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ken Tucknott<SNIP>
>   
The unit's 20 yrs. old, nearing the end of its service life. Not to say 
that one can't run for 30 years, but failure at this stage is not out of 
the ordinary.
A compressor replacement IMHO wouldn't be terribly cost effective, but 
you must know your budget. You could replace it, only to have another 
part of the system fail in a short time. OTOH, it could run another 
couple years problem free. The compressors are available from HVAC 
supply houses at far less cost than from the OEM. I replaced a marine 
air rotary compressor about 1996 vintage on a previous boat, my cost 
(wholesale) fot the compressor was less than $200. You could pay as much 
as $1500 for a compressor replacement including labor. If you're working 
with a reliable mechanic, ask them their recommendation, they'll 
probably recommend a new unit, I probably would. You'll end up with 
nearly the same labor to replace the compressor as to replace the whole 
unit, so repair doesn't make sense.

A new unit will probably have a rotary or scroll compressor, they run 
quieter, more efficiently, and have a considerably lower starting 
current, since they don't really do work until they're up to speed. If 
you replace it with a self-contained unit, you may have the skills to 
install it yourself, since it doesn't involve any refrigerant piping. If 
you have the space, it would be the way to go. With the new compressors, 
they're quiet enough to set under your berth.

Good luck!

Steve Sipe