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WARNINGDometic Corporation, manufacturers of Cruisair, Grunert, Marine Air, Sentry and Tundra Products, makes the following
safety warnings concerning the application, installation, use and care of its products. Although these warnings are
extensive, there may be specific hazards which may arise out of circumstances which we have not outlined herein. Use
this as a guide for developing an awareness of potential hazards of all kinds. Such an awareness will be a key factor in
assuring your SAFETY and comfort.
ELECTRICITY - Many Dometic products operate on 115, 230 or 440 volt AC power and/or 12/24 volt DC power. Such
voltages can be LETHAL; therefore, the chassis, cabinets, bases, etc., on all components must be grounded together
and connected to the vessel's or vehicle’s grounding system. Sparks can occur as switches, thermostats and relays
open and close in the normal operation of the equipment. Since this is the case, ventilating blowers for the removal of
hazardous fumes or vapors should be operated at least 5 minutes before and during operation of any Dometic product or
group of Dometic products. All electrical connections must be covered and protected so accidental contact cannot be
made by persons using the equipment, as such contact could be LETHAL.
ELECTROLYSIS - Electrical leakage of any component can cause electrolytic deterioration (electrolysis) of thru-hull
components which could result in leakage serious enough to sink a vessel which could result in loss of life. All Dometic
components must be kept clean and dry and checked periodically for electrical leakage. If any electrical leakage is
detected, the component should be replaced or the fault causing the leakage corrected before the component is put
back into service.
GAS - CRUISAIR, MARINE AIR, GRUNERT and TUNDRA components utilize R134a refrigerant, R409A or R404A,
R417A, R407C and R22. These are non-toxic, non-flammable gases. However, these gases contain no oxygen and will
not support life. Refrigerant gas tends to settle in the lowest areas of the compartment. If you experience a leak,
evacuate all personnel, and ventilate area. Do not allow open flames in the area of leaks because refrigerant gas, when
burned, decomposes into other potentially LETHAL gases. Refrigerant components operate at high pressure and no
servicing should be attempted without gloves, long-sleeved clothing and eye protection. Liquid refrigerant gas can cause
severe frost burns to the skin and eyes.
VENTILATION - CRUISAIR, MARINE AIR, GRUNERT and TUNDRA components are designed to move air through a heat
exchanger by a blower or propeller fan. This design necessarily produces a suction on one side of the air handling
component and a pressure on the other side. Air handling components must be installed so that the suction-pressure
action does not: (1) pressurize an area to the extent that structural failure occurs which could cause harm to occupants
or bystanders, or (2) cause a suction or low pressure in an area where hydrogen gas from batteries, raw fuel vapor from
fuel tanks, carbon monoxide from operating propulsion engines, power generators or heaters, methane gas from sewage
holding tanks, or any other dangerous gas or vapor could exist. If a unit is installed in such a manner that allows
potentially lethal gases or vapors to be discharged by the air handling unit into the living space, this could result in loss
of life.
Maximum protection against the introduction of dangerous gases or vapors into living spaces can be obtained by
providing living spaces which are sealed from all other spaces by use of airtight bulkheads and decks, etc., and through
the introduction of clean air into the living space. Bear in mind that the advent of air conditioning, whether it be for
cooling or for heating, naturally leads to the practice of closing a living space tightly. Never close all windows and doors
unless auxiliary ventilating systems, which introduce clean outside air into the living space, are used. Always leave
enough window and door openings to provide adequate ventilation in the event potentially lethal gases or fumes should
escape from any source.
CONDENSATE - All cooling units produce water condensate when operating on the cooling cycle. This water must be
drained from the cooling unit overboard. If condensate is allowed to drip on a wooden structure, rotting or decay and
structural failure may occur which could result in loss of life. If condensate is allowed to drip on electrical components,
deterioration of the electrical components could result in hazardous conditions. When an air conditioning system is in
operation, condensate drains may be subjected to negative pressure. Always locate condensate drains as far as
possible from points where engine waste and other dangerous gases are exhausted so no such dangerous gases can be
drawn into the condensate drains.
Warning
Never sleep in a closed area on a boat or vehicle when any equipment, which functions as a result of the combustion of
a volatile fuel, is in operation (such as engines, generators, power plants, or oil-fired heaters, etc.) At any time, the
exhaust system of such devices could fail, resulting in a build-up of LETHAL gases within the closed area.
Rev. Date: 9-26-03 Tundra Version