Cruisair SMX circuit board repairs?

[Gene]

Does anybody know where to get the circuit boards in a Cruisair SMX (vintage 1990) thermostat/system controller fixed??? After calling over a dozen A/C shops, nobody is able to fix the boards, which are out of production. The only solution they all offer is $1,000 per unit to convert to a newer controller and run new wires through the boat (scary thought!). These boards have fairly simple Motorola 6803 processors, an EPROM and about 6 other TTL chips.....it should be a routine job to repair them.

I took a lightning hit several months ago and 6 of my 8 SMX systems are screwed up. I have a copy of the original schematics and found nearly identical faults on each- one or more of the 3 outputs to the "power" board to control the slow fan, compressor and reversing valve that are stuck "on".

 

[BEC53]

Boards

You might try Flight Systems in Lewisberg, PA. They fix the Hatteras 12 point monitor boards and they may be able to help you with these. Worth a call anyway.

 

[crossruff]

Please update this thread if anyone has any luck getting the SMX I boards repaired.

 

[hogan]

I just removed an old cruisair unit, are you still in need of the SMX control? If so, email me.

 

[TedZ]

There are houses that fix random circuit boards...Google your requests looking for folks that repair older computers DEC, Data General etc.

If there are memory chips on the board, PROMS in the various flavors and if they are damaged, forget it as they contain firmware you can't replace. Usually diodes, resistors and capacitors go first, but in a lightning strike all components can be damaged.

If you can't find the people, get back to me...i'll find them. Flight Safety is a great place to start and ask them also.

Ted

 

[Pete]

I have joined those who need a Cruisair SMX I circuit board repaired. Has anyone found a source for repair? If not, what are people doing when the board fails to get the unit operational again?

Thanks

Pete

 

[Spellbound]

Search SMX control boards and you'll see 2 for sale back in August. Check and see if this is what you need as I still have them.

 

[Trojan]

Can someone send me a copy of the schematic. If the bad parts are not house numbers or house parts, I may be able to repair them for the price of the part or parts. May be someone could take a close up of the board and put it on here, the schematic also. It may be just something simple. It sounds like it may be a fried SCR. There may even be a better replacement part. Just a thought. I've been in electronics for 40 years. Maybe I can help. If its not a special secret chip setup or an epoxy encapsulated board it usually can be repaired.

BILL

 

[drburke]

Hi,

I would like to second Bill's request for schematics and pics. There is a lot of expertise on this forum--let us look it over.

DAN

 

[Pete]

Wish I had a schematic of the board to work with, but I do not. Cruisair does not make these available. I do know it is not the scr as this component is mounted to the case for heat sink purposes. When I swapped in my spare I did not swap the scr and the unit started working fine. Having reseated all connectors before swapping, with no luck, I am convinced it is the board. There are no signs of any component heat on the board either. There are several IC's on the board and a plugable prom, so I am not sure what can be done with no documentation. Cruisair seems to be on a "screw the customer" strategy, no new parts available, no documentation available, no repair facilities available, only avenue is to buy an upgrade to SMX II for their inflated price. They make some good equiptment, but are a little lacking when it comes to customer support.

I have to mention just how great members are on this board. I received a PM from a member offering to send me the remains of his SMX II upgrade for free to see if anything in there would help me out. Where else would you find that? Not sure if it will help, since he appears to upgrading from a different base, but just the thought and offer are great. Here's hoping I get lucky!!

Pete

 

[SKYCHENEY]

It would probably be cheaper to just install a Coastal Climate Contol box instead of dealing with Cruisair. For about $400 you get all of the same features as the SMXII and you can actually call someone that will help you out.

 

[Trojan]

I have done some checking and depending on which model you have and nether can easily be rebuilt.
For the SMX ll old style, the board part number is A-281 C The price for a new one should be $263. bucks. The display number is SMX ll- AB The price is $188. bucks.
For the newer board SMX ll IR the part number is A-288 C The price is $250. bucks. This board will have phone jacks on it. The old does not. The display board number is SMX IR B The price is $169. bucks.
These prices are factory and should be the highest going prices as of this year.
If you are blowing the fuse on the old circuit board there is a MOV across the main power feed. It should be blue in color and dime size. Clip it off.
If you have the new board the MOV is mounted on the board. It to is blue in color and dime size. Clip it off.
If its more than that go buy the board. The man hour price to trouble shoot the board will cost more than the board. You can add the MOV back on later. If its bad. Just put a new one across the hot leads.
Both boards do the same thing. They just have a different board configuration. The old one has wires for termination and the new one has the termination on the board along with phone type jacks for other options.
If someone is selling these boards for more money let me know and I can maybe get you a phone number to call to pot his but in a sling. CA sets the price and there dealers are not allowed add on. So don't be afraid to haggle about the price. I hope this helps.

BILL

 

[Pete]

Trojan, are you saying that you have a source for these boards at the prices you included? Reason I ask is the Cruisair dealer I contacted said none were available. Thanks.

Pete

 

[Pete]

HOLD ON/STOP THE PRESSES/PRESS ALT-CTRL-DEL ON YOUR KEYBOARD. I have provided bum information on the Cruisair circuit board I am trying to find. My apology to all. The repair capability/replacement board required is an SMX II Model A-285. Again, sorry for the bad info especially to Trojan who appears to have done some real research on my problem. Will try to do better in the future.

Pete

 

[Trojan]

The policy with CA is that dealers are not allowed to cross lines of sales. Which means that a Michigan dealer can not sell in Florida. But you should be able to find some at another dealer in your area that can get them. Those are the CA prices. The person I talked with said that they are available. You just need to jack up your dealer or find another one. He said he would rather not sell to me for resale. He said he would get me a CA number you could call and jack up CA. USA
Maybe you were using the wrong number or the dealer was making to much money to mess with a part sale BILL

 

[BrianHaze]

There is a company out there for board repairs.
Flightsytems.com
you want to talk to Technician Dan. Ive heard they are currently making new keypads for the boards. They also issue warratees and have lots of help for not only cruis air but generators too.
Ive been a customer of theirs for a while and back them up.
Hope they can help you as much as they did me.

 

[Colwyn D]

Flightsystems have just repaired an SMX II controller of mine. Good price and quick service.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

They will also repair the 12pt Hatteras systems monitor boards.

 

[jim rosenthal]

This looks to me like a commercial post for your business. Is it? If it is- we don't allow commercial posts. You can email the member if you wish, but you can't leave a commercial post up here.

 

[MadHatter53]

Not to mention the post is from 2009.