Gemini 105Mc Owner’s Manual
16Copyright © 2004 Performance Cruising Inc.
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning
Power Requirements: 110 Only
Starting: 24 Amps
Running: 15 Amps
The Gemini has an optional Mermaid 16,500 BTU
air conditioner with reverse cycle for use on shore
power only. The unit is installed in the seat hous-
ing below the switch panel. The Mermaid air condi-
tioner fan is set to a fixed speed and cannot be
adjusted.
The air conditioner cooling water lines and strainer
must be primed with water prior to turning the unit
on. By opening up the seacock to let water in, the
system may prime itself. If the lines and water
strainer do not fill entirely with water, it is neces-
sary to complete the prime by opening the strainer
lid slightly until the strainer fills with water. Re-
member to tightly close the strainer lid after it fills
with water.
When turning the unit “ON”, switch the thermostat
to “COOL” and then press and hold the “down”
button on the thermostat to change the thermostat
setting to a temperature below the ambient tem-
perature. Next, turn on the air conditioner by flip-
ping the breaker “On.” After the unit starts, the
first thing to check for is the sound of the cooling
water exhaust coming from below the bridge deck.
The sound is audible from the back steps on the
transom. If you do not hear the water exhaust,
turn the unit “OFF” and correct any problems be-
fore restarting.
Most problems associated with the air conditioner
are the result of an insufficient prime, a clogged
strainer, or a kink in the water lines. To clean the
strainer, simply unscrew the strainer lid, then take
out the strainer and clean it thoroughly. Don’t for-
get to replace the strainer before restarting the
unit. Kinks in the cooling lines are possible follow-
ing working on the water, heating, or air condition-
ing systems. Take care to see that all lines are free
of obstructions or kinks.
Caution: If the system is insufficiently primed and
cooling water is not running through the system
there is the risk of freezing the air conditioning
coils. Should this happen, wait until the coils have
thawed before you again attempt to prime the
lines.
Alternatively, the system can be primed by turning
on the pump alone – without turning on the air con-
ditioning unit. To accomplish this, you will need a
110v extension line to plug in to. Unplug the water
pump from the air conditioner and connect to the
extension line to prime the lines. Once the system
is primed, return the pump plug to the air condi-
tioning unit and operate as usual.
Yet another means of priming the system is to dis-
connect the cooling water “in” line from the air con-
ditioner and turn the system on. Wait until the
pump primes itself and a small “geyser” of water
comes from the hose, then quickly reconnect the
hose to the “In” line on the air conditioner.
The air conditioning condensation pan is located
under the unit and drains along with the system’s
cooling water.
To avoid losing the system’s prime while sailing, we
recommend closing the three-way seacock before
sailing.
Reverse Cycle—Heat
During colder weather, the air conditioning unit can
be used in reverse cycle for heating. To engage the
reverse cycle, switch the thermostat to “Heat” and
turn up the temperature setting higher than the am-
bient temperature. Read the owner’s manual for a
complete description.
Winterizing the Air Conditioning System
The air conditioning unit should be included in the
winterizing process by filling the lines with a 50/50
mixture of fresh water and coolant. Simply place
one end of a standard hose into a one-gallon bucket
containing the mixture and connect the other hose
end to the flushing seacock. Next turn the seacock
to the flush position. Prime the system with the
coolant mixture by unplugging the pump from the air
conditioner and connecting to a 110v extension cord.
The system will use the entire gallon of the coolant
mixture.
Air Conditioning System Overview
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