Crusair Question...Air AND Heat?

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:16 am

okay, stoooopid question i know (at least i know when i'm going to ask something stupid...usually), but maybe someone can tell me so it won't drive me nuts until i get to the boat tonight...

i have the original cruiseair unit on a 77 f 32. the control has 3 knobs: start/on (run), fan, and one (bottom one) that says warmer and cooler.

my question is this: is this a reverse cycle heating unit as well? is that answerable without crawling down in there and getting a number off the unit?

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:26 am

If it is from the 70's I would expect it to be air conditioning only (cooling)....
are you planning a move North to need heating??

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:50 am

I have the same three knobs on mine and it provides both cooling and heating. It's not original equipment. I purchased it used and don't know what year it is.

LSP · Post by **LSP** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:54 am

I'm with Micheal ....cooling only

S.A.M. · Post by **S.A.M.** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:12 pm

Not to be a smarta$$, what happens when you turn it to heat?

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:41 pm

S.A.M. wrote:Not to be a smarta$$, what happens when you turn it to heat?

smartass!

actually, i don't know. i hadn't thought about it until today after reading another post about a free control unit. made me think about what i have. so far, i've only run the air. i've been using the singer heater on the few nights it's been needed.

i'll be up to the boat in about 2 hours. i'll fire it up and see.

S.A.M. · Post by **S.A.M.** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:49 pm

While it's on my mind, the previous owner of my midcabin keep it moored @ your marina and Brian McNeal with Erwin is who I bought it thru. That's a great marina compared to what's here in Pensacola.

hmc · Post by **hmc** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:24 pm

My 77 has cooling and heat it is original equipment

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:06 am

I have both A/C and Heat on one unit and just a/c on the other the controls look the same . turn it to warm and see if the compser turns on and run it for about 10 minites to see if you get heat . the coolder the water the less heat you will get . when the water gets to 40 deg. it will be useless

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:08 am

tks prowler.

i turned it on last night, but didn't let it run but for a couple of minutes.

i'll try it again and leave it on for a while this time.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:42 pm

Any luck Tuck ?

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:06 am

our 1972 f-36 tri cabin had the reverse cycle unit using the same 3 controls. cruisair did not use any other type for a very long time. also, they began making reverse cycle marine units starting in the mid to late 1960's. just remember, it is a 'heat pump' of sort, so the cooler the water, the less it will heat up. if you turn the temp knob to 'warmer' and after a while it does not feel like warm air is circulating in the cabin, chances are, it is just the basic 'cool only' unit.
aaron in baltimore

ltbrett · Post by **ltbrett** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:38 am

If you can pull a serial number off the unit cruisair can tell you if it is reverse cycle. Or you can look for the reversing valve usually located near the compressor. It is the only electric valve on the refrigerant lines. These reversing valves are notorious for sticking, especially if not exercised. So if you turn your control "warmer" but get no heat, it may be the fault of the reversing valve.

Brett

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:37 pm

You have a reverse cycle air / heat system. My 1979 F32 has the same setup. I have used the heat setting but only rarely - on heat the unit tends to trip the breaker from time to time. I use a small ceramic heater as I find it quiter and it delivers more consistent heat. I usually only use the reverse heat when the ceramic guy needs a boost.
I believe I have a copy of the manual at home - or might be able to find the pdf on the web again - if you need it. Think mine is a 16,000 BTU Crusair. I think it is one of the 'Stow Away' units here : http://www.tritex.com.sg/products/manuf ... m#stowaway

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:39 pm

Think this is the brochure.

http://www.boatelectric.com/L-0734%20SXR.pdf