Carrier Carlyle 5H46-149 Open-Drive Marine Compressor

Carrier Carlyle 5H46-149 Marine & Industrial Open-Drive Reciprocating Compressor

The Carrier Carlyle 5H46-149 is an industrial-duty, 4-cylinder, open-drive reciprocating compressor engineered specifically for heavy-duty marine refrigeration, vessel air conditioning plants (HVAC), provision cooling systems, and process chillers. Designed to operate across extreme ambient and seawater temperature differentials, the 5H46 long-stroke architecture yields an industry-proven displacement of 115.5 CFM at 1750 RPM, delivering nominal capacities up to 35.4 TR (Tons of Refrigeration) on R-22 and high volumetric efficiency on HFC retrofit blends (R-407C, R-404A, R-507A, and R-134a).

Model Details

• Manufacturer: Carrier Transicold / Carlyle Compressor Division
• Series: 5H Open-Drive Industrial Reciprocating Series
• Base Model Number: 5H46
• Full Assembly / Model Code: 5H46-149 (Variants: 5H46-A149 [Remanufactured OEM Core], 5H46-S149 [New Production])
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 5H46-149 / 5H46149 / 5H46-A149
• Drive Configuration: Open shaft / Direct-coupled via flexible coupling or belt-driven (V-belt / Pulley)
• Shaft Rotation: Standard Counter-Clockwise (CCW) viewed from oil pump end; field-reversible to Clockwise (CW) via 180° rotation of the reversible eccentric oil pump housing.

Technical Details:

Key Features

1. Heavy-Duty 4-Cylinder Long-Stroke Displacement: Delivers 115.5 CFM at 1750 RPM (displacement 196.2 m³/h) with a 3.250-inch bore and 3.4375-inch stroke, maximizing thermal output while operating at lower, fatigue-reducing cycle speeds.
2. Automatic Hydraulic Suction Unloaders: Incorporates built-in, pressure-actuated cylinder unloaders providing step capacity regulation (100% – 50% capacity steps) for zero-load soft starts and reduced peak electrical demand on vessel auxiliary generators.
3. High-Integrity Dual-Directional Forced Lubrication: Equipped with a reversible positive-displacement oil pump delivering 45 to 65 PSID net oil pressure to all crankpins, main journal bearings, and wrist pins, safeguarding against oil wash during low-load operation.
4. Marine-Grade Mechanical Shaft Seal: Two-piece carbon-to-ceramic face seal assembly pressurized in oil bath, minimizing static and dynamic refrigerant vapor migration across high-vibration naval operating envelopes.
5. External Oil Cooler Loop Compatibility: Long-stroke architecture includes tapped manifold connections dedicated to shell-and-tube or plate-type external sea-water/glycol oil coolers to keep sump operating temperatures below 140°F (60°C) under high-condensing ambient conditions.

Compressor Compatibility:

• Carrier Transicold Marine Chillers & Direct Expansion Units: Compatible with 09DK, 09RK, and 10HR Marine Water Chiller packages, Reefer Box Central Plants, and 50BA Series package systems.
• Prime Mover Motor Frames: Engineered for direct-coupling or V-belt driving by IEC 200L/225M frames and NEMA 324T/326T/364T electric motors (440V/3Ph/60Hz Marine Duty, 380V/400V/3Ph/50Hz, or explosion-proof Zone 1 / Zone 2 configurations).
• Cross-Model Upgrades within Carlyle 5H Series: Direct bolt-down and footprint-identical upgrade to the short-stroke Carlyle 5H40 (92.4 CFM) when expanded refrigeration tonnage is required without restructuring baseplate foundation rails.
• External Oil Cooler Bundles: Compatible with Carrier OEM shell-and-tube oil cooler part number bundles 5H40-1014 / 5H46-A288.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact difference between the Carlyle 5H40 and 5H46 compressor models?

While both models utilize the same 4-cylinder cast-iron frame footprint and 3.250-inch bore, the 5H46 is a long-stroke model with a 3.4375-inch stroke delivering 115.5 CFM displacement at 1750 RPM. The 5H40 features a shorter 2.750-inch stroke producing 92.4 CFM. The 5H46 provides approximately 25% more cooling tonnage but mandates the use of an external oil cooler circuit to dissipate additional crankcase heat.

Can the Carrier Carlyle 5H46-149 be operated with modern drop-in refrigerants?

Yes. Although originally designed for R-22, the 5H46-149 operates reliably with R-134a (for high ambient marine air conditioning), R-407C (chiller retrofit), and R-404A/R-507A (commercial low-temperature provision lockers). When retrofitting to HFC refrigerants, you must replace the mineral oil with high-grade synthetic Polyolester (POE) oil and renew all elastomer seals.

What should I check if net oil pressure does not build up after initial startup?

First, verify that the compressor shaft is rotating above 400 RPM, which is the minimum threshold required for lubrication pickup. Second, confirm the mechanical oil pump cover orientation; reversing the driving motor direction without indexing the internal pump gear 180 degrees will prevent the pump from generating differential pressure. Third, check the oil strainer located in the bottom sump for foreign debris or copper plating chips.

Does the compressor include cylinder unloaders for unloaded starting?

Yes. The 5H46-149 is fitted with internal hydraulic cylinder unloaders. During startup, the unloader holds the suction valves open, allowing the motor to accelerate up to full rated speed without load before oil pressure builds and engages compression. This minimizes the inrush current draw across onboard marine switchboards.

How is the compressor packaged for overseas transport and vessel delivery?

Units are mounted on structural skids, treated with anti-corrosion VCI barrier wrap, secured inside heavy-duty ISPM-15 treated wooden export crates, and pressurized with a 5 PSIG dry nitrogen holding charge to prevent internal oxidation during sea transport and extended shelf storage.