Well the caps came in but didn't make any difference. It's dead as far as I can tell…
Thanks for all your help getting me this far.

I am interested in the used unit you mentioned. I assume it is the one listed on your home page. It looks very much like my dead one as far as how it is layed out. Is it a direct replacement as far as size and location of the hook-ups? Will it work with my 3 knob controls? Any idea how old it is? Any idea what shipping to a business address in 05403 would be? Any warrantee? Any room on the price? (I'm a Vermonter so I have to ask.) I'll probably come up with a few more questions as I think about it…

Frank
penbroke(a)yahoo.com

I'd hold it for him as well if I was in your place. Let me know if it doesn't work out and many thanks for all your help.

Frank

Post edited 12:37 pm – April 1, 2010 by Steve Pooler

Hi Frank~

Yes of course you can sweat in a new compressor (providing you can get the correct one)

What you should know is your unit does NOT use R134a refrigerant that is used in the automotive industry…It will NOT work in your unit.

Your system uses R-22 (such as in a home system) and the compressor you find needs to be compatible too.

Here's the thing…The SH16 has a reciprocating (piston type) compressor…To my knowledge…It was always a OEM (original equipment manufacturer) specific compressor that was not available from any other source but Cruisair or Marine Air…The local supply houses could not match it up though they tried…It never worked out well, and always ended up with a poor performing unit when compared to the original…That's just my experience, and I have seen it done many times.

If you cannot get a Tecumseh AE 8515 E…Don't buy it…You are wasting your money because it won't work well in the SH16.

Steve~

Post edited 12:00 pm – March 30, 2010 by Steve Pooler

Frank~

The AKA5512EXV will run high suction pressure (higher evaporator temp) because it can't move the amount of refrigerant thru the cap tube that the AE8515E does…This will result in much higher air temp out of the discharge grill and a lower TD (less than 15 degrees)….You will not be happy with the performance…It will not even perform as well as if you replaced the whole unit with a 12K…

Yes the AE8515E is available, but only thru Cruisair/Marine Air dealers…The Cruisair part# is R3101-16S (no tubes or drier) and retails for $650, or you can get the R-3101-16T…Same compressor that comes with tubing & a suction line burn out drier already sweat into the suction tube for $695.

As far as a suggestion…It's your money & I have not seen the condition of your unit, but @ the $1200 you mention, you are about half way to getting a brand new unit that is lighter, smaller, much quieter, moves more air, uses less amperage…and that also has a in boat warranty.

Steve~

Post edited 11:25 am – April 16, 2011 by Steve Pooler

Hi Frank~

Yes I can have a unit shipped to you…I'm not sure they will ship the Cruisair version to your area (Cruisair is more protective of dealer areas)

But I am sure I can get the Marine Air version shipped to you…The only difference between the two brands is the Name Plate Stickers & the Control that can plug into the unit (Dometic owns both Cruisair & Marine Air now) Both units are even built in the same plant.

The units that I touted the advantages of above are what we call the "Turbo" units…They really are a step above anything else I have seen out there….Below are links to both the Cruisair & Marine Air versions…

http://www.dometic.com/enus/Am…..taid=84876

http://www.dometic.com/enus/Am…..taid=84881

Be sure to click on the yellow print for Specs, and also the same for Controls for complete descriptions.

I have posted Retail pricing in my "Store" section of the website here and you can either call me or e-mail for discount (can't quote here)

Shipping should be less than $100…I'm thinking maybe more like $70…

Steve~