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Frustrated with Dometic

Discussion in 'HVAC' started by Brian G, Apr 27, 2022.

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  1. f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    I always install a filter in the small pressure line it will help if a compressor goes bad to capture debree.
    rtrafford likes this.
  2. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Thank you. I was recalling the same being done a few times for me as well...
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yes dearies, filters were installed on split systems.

    Notice no comments on reluctant AC techs though.
    So, I'll ask the forum, Why do you think AC techs are reluctant in piecing an AC repair?
    It's the same if not more labor...
  4. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    My thoughts also.
    Marine units probably won't last that long, just giving you an idea how many units we change out monthly and the associated problems with different compressors
  5. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    They make up to 40% mark up on unit and parts. Biggger the part bigger dollars in their pocket. They want to drop in a whole new unit and go home. Swapping compressor is more work for less money. In a utopian world dometic would have a new unit on the shelf, but they don't. Get rebuilt compressor, run it til it fails, by then world will hopefully be normal.
    I'm getting a new boat built, my chilled water units have been at the yard for a while. More than one unit has been borrowed for another boat that needed one now cause dometic couldn't get one for months. We did same thing on current boat when a self contained unit failed, borrowed one from new build that wasn't needed for few months. Life in the big city.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    So, I purchase just a compressor and install it With new filter on a split system. It runs for 2 weeks and fails.
    Who eats that warranty.
    Johnstone didn't, Tecumseh didn't.

    This was years ago. Since then, we recommend to our customers a shop out of Daytona.
    They don't replace compressors either. Whole units with factory warranties.
  7. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Ralph you've got your opinion I've got mine. We only repair our buildings units, not for anyone else. We want our tenants to have as few ac problems as possible. When a units compressor/ s are shot but coils are in good shape, we swap out for a new one if available if not a rebuilt. We don't screw around with old units that are tired. Many tenants are storing pharmaceutical products and cannot be above a certain temp for x minutes. Rebuilds have same longevity as new, period. Prefer new but that isn't always possible. Units up to 20 ton, package, 2 compressors.
    These aluminum coils are TOTAL junk and should be banned.
    As you know cleaning and drying is what makes for a successful compressor swap.
    f3504x4ps likes this.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Well, As I stated in post #11 "It's not the marine tech vs the house tech. Dry air home systems don't have the higher duty cycle nor poor quality water cool condensers".
    I wish marine units had a prayer of a chance land based units have, but it's a rough environment.
    And I may have miss spoke about condensing coils, Seems you have some issues with your land based units also.
    Yes, filter/dryers are our best friend.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I ve used three AC techs here in Miami over the last 2 years, none have been reluctant to replace bad compressors.

    Those who are reluctant to replace compressors are indeed looking at the profit. 30-40% on a new $4000 condenser is much better than 2 or 3 hours of labor
    captholli likes this.
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    And how do they warranty the compressor?
    Unless it is from the OEM and they are OEM techs there is usually no warranty on the compressor. Independent jobbers can not get that backing and eat the compressor if it fails.
  11. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    EXACTLY !!!
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    My AC tech guarantees them, 6 months I think. He never had to eat one…
  13. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    If my compressor swap/rebuild doesn't work out, I will have to look at another system. Since a new Dometic system is 3 months out, what would you recommend for a replacement 12,000 BTU split system (230 volts)?
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Re-read post #2.
  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    As I mentioned earlier flagship marine or ocean breeze. Before I got my 53 back in 2003, the old cruisair condensers had been replaced with 5 Ocean Breeze. The original cruisair air handlers were kept. They worked well although after 5 or 6 years I started having to replace a compressor here and there. Normal for compressors these days

    4 years ago I replaced the entire system with a Flagship twin chiller system. Excellent construction with SS chassis and condensation trays. They also make condensers for splits and self contained. Give them a call. Don’t know how quickly they can built a new unit. Three months ago I ordered a new air handler from them to increase capacity in the 116 Skylounge and they had it ready in a couple of weeks

    they also have the best prices on March pumps

    https://flagshipmarine.com/
  16. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    I have an old Cruise air unit 16,000 BTU.
    The compressor size was actually a 14,000 BTU unit on there that’s what Cruise air used even though they called at 16,000 BTU they all seem to do that.
    The actual compressor rating is lower than what the overall unit is supposed to do I don’t understand why this is but it seems to be at least back in the 80s.
    Mine is a R22 unit.
    Anyway it was a Tecumseh Compressor made specifically for cruise air so I couldn’t get the exact 14,000 BTU unit.
    I had to drop down to a 12,000 BTU to fit in the frame / unit .
    Myself and my Refrigeration guy put it in works very well it’s going on two years now.
    We just had to change out the starters and the compressor take out the old braze in the new charge it and all was good including reverse cycle heat pump.
    Oh mine are remote units. Not self contained.
    Got my stuff from United refrigeration.
  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Long ago, the design gods of R22 decided that a lower rated compressor would work when the condenser was water cooled. It still puts out the necessary pressures and gas temp for the evap's BTU.

    BTU,,,, that could be a part of the problem,,, Brits can't count.

    For sheet and giggles, look up the stamped number on your Tecumseh Compressor and you will find it is below the systems ratings.

    For some reason, those with the old Copeland compressors, are closer to the systems rating. Go Figure...
    Sauky Dossem and cleanslate like this.
  18. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    This has been very helpful information. Thank you to everyone who took the time to weigh in. I called both Ocean Breeze and Flagship Marine today to get quotes. Ocean Breeze was quite a bit cheaper and they can make an R22 system which would allow me to use the existing evaporator coil and blower. Both manufacturers build to order so it will be 6-8 weeks either way.
    cleanslate likes this.
  19. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    CR i’m getting tired of learning about this old boat stuff …
    Why does it (boats, yachts, etc.)always have to be so complicated!
    All I wanna do is turn it on and just have it work. Lol. I don’t want to know or learn a thing .
    Never seems to work out that way.
  20. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Well very good to know. Lots of good information all around.
    Guess for now it’s time to get a box fan and some block ice and set the fan behind the ice to blow across to it to get cool air….Lol!