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Part of Bonaire Integra 1.6 
5Bonaire Integra VSM65

Bonaire Integra VSM65

 VerifiedMPN: VSM65
5Bonaire Integra VSM65
2.5

9 reviews

Positive vs Negative
22%11%67%
Build Quality
3.3
Value for Money
3.3
Ease of Use
4.0
Cleaning & Maintenance ?
4.0
Noise Level
3.0
Heating / Cooling Speed
4.3
Vipul
VipulVIC6 posts
  VSM65

Too noisey – We had an old evaporate cooler lasted all most 18 years. Just installed new vsm65. It very noisy and needs to be in full fan flow to get proper cooling air to come through. Show details

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UNHAPPY BONAIRE CUSTOMER
UNHAPPY BONAIRE CUSTOMERWA2 posts
  Verified VSM65

Warranty Issues – I had a Bonaire VSM65 installed in late 2015. The installer's quote stated it would be under warranty for 6 years. Literally a few weeks past 5 years the unit started to develop an electrical problem. The motor would cut out when run on any speed other than maximum. I contacted Climate Tech. Their service manager was rude and told me it was only… Read more

covered for 5 years. He said the problem must have happened because I hadn't maintained it which would have put the motor under more load (in actual fact it's been kept VERY clean). So I agreed to pay $300 to have a 'verification service'.

The service guy was very polite, but he showed me that the unit was fitted with the wrong (undersized) capacitor, which had failed. My unit had a 950W Fasco motor fitted. Fasco's data sheet for this motor, and Climate Tech (spare parts division), and other AC suppliers ALL state that this motor (and even the 750W motor which is standard for this unit) require a 25uF capacitor. Mine was only fitted with a 15uF capacitor.

The service tech told me that fitting an undersized capacitor would shorten the life of both the capacitor and the motor. I work with electricians and they confirm this.

So my Bonaire developed a fault a few weeks past warranty, due to the manufacturers fitting an undersized capacitor, and it's my fault.

Dean N.
Dean N.SA2 posts
  Verified VSM65

would not use this unit again – Can put up with it being a bit noisy, but have to ramp speed up to almost full to get any flow. Older unit we had, almost 30 years old, worked much better. Show details

Cheryl
CherylVIC55 posts
  VSM65

Service – Rang climate tech 2 yrs ago.they sent rude irish guy out charged 1,200 after stating less.Replaced pads 2wks later it stopped,rang and he came again syated it wld b another $500 for new ..... states he stuck it open with tape when l said l wldnt pay anymore.now no cooling and it barely works.load of rubbish and climate tech is a ripoff.  Show details

Polly doodle
Polly doodleWA26 posts
  VSM65

Great air conditioner – Good cooling and quiet. Half our house is evaporative and the other refridg as we like to leave doors open in the living areas. This works well in Perth weather ( fairly dry) but doubt it would be good in a humid areaGood after service with on line booking and technicians that turned up on time. Solenoid changed today under warranty.  Show details

Nitro
NitroQLD3 posts
  VSM65

Noisy waste of a lot of money – Very noisy unit, can be heard throughout the house even on low. Fire screens that cost $300 are hard against the cooling mesh, doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Unit broke in the first 2 days of operation and we waited for a week till someone came to fix it, faulty part. It does have the pad wetting function which I like but the remote is hard… Read more

to use and the program settings are rubbish and don't seem to work. Save yourself the hassle and buy a Breezair.

D of Q
D of Q56 posts
  Verified VSM65
Value for Money
Ease of Use
Noise Level
Heating / Cooling Speed

Great in a DRY climate – Like all evaporative air coolers, these are useless in high humidity areas such as Sydney or Brisbane. I live near Canberra and mine is fantastic. I've had it 13 years and it has broken down once. Yesterday. Not too bad really. It keeps the house cool and even when there is a thunderstorm brewing and the humidity increases it is OK because I just… Read more

turn it off, shut the doors and windows and the house stays cool. Update 13 Jan 2021. So after another 5 years. The unit required a new solenoid. Here is a tip. Get the thing serviced every year. Yes it will cost you $150 or so, but that might just save you a new unit. Some people just think machines will work without being looked after. Think about where your evap cooler is. It is on your roof in the harshest of places around your home. Look after it.

Kirsty J
Kirsty J
  VSM65

Worst thing I have ever wasted my money on!!!! – Purchased 14th January 2010 two weeks after purchase pump needed replacing. Hottest time of the year....two weeks for replacement! Two more pumps (2010/2011) since then. No care, no compassion no help from Bonaire - absolutely useless. Thought we were finally lucky as got through the 2013/2014 Summer season without a replacement part being… Read more

required. Turned fan on in mid September to dry my wet floors quicker and smelt electrical burn smell and my safety switch flicked off. Electrician says the motor is burnt out - least of our problems possibly aswell! Apparently we needed to register for extended warranty (not told this by useless company we purchased from who sold business the month after) so quoted $1000 plus for repair. Have opted to have a complete new unit, different brand installed. but again having to wait 2 weeks and battle 40 degree days when I have a $6000 aircon sitting on my roof that's not even 5 years old. To say I loathe Bonaire and all they stand for is an understatement!!! NEVER BUY BONAIRE

Nicole
Nicole
  VSM65

Not worth it - Unreliable – We have had problems with this unit installled in our new home in 2003 from 2011 with just about every part breaking and needing replacing each summer- dump valves, solinoids, and now the fan. Also within the warranty the control panel needed replacing as well. I'm thinking its not worth repairing and will just get another unit. I'm digusted… Read more

really because this used to be a quality brand. My parents and in laws have Bonaires for the last 30 years and have not had the problems we have had!

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