Has anyone added air conditioning to their 376? Comments or Ours was originally ordered without it and we're looking to add it.
Adding Air conditioning to a 376
- Thread starter scallywag
- Start date
- Status
The PO on Captiva ordered it installed at the factory. It's a MarineAir 16k reverse cycle unit (heat and air) and was installed in the locker in the settee just in front of the galley. They cut the front of the settee for the return register. If you're sitting on that part of the settee (facing forward) the register is just behind your lower legs.
The thru-hull was placed in the bilge area in front of the port side settee.
The thru-hull was placed in the bilge area in front of the port side settee.
Thanks Windsock, Hunter sent us the factory layout with marterial list. We purchased a 16K unit from Mermaid, it's a matter of installing it now. I know the breaker is already set up for it. I think the worst part will be running the ducting.
As I work through it, I'll more than likely be taking photos so if all goes well I'll post them in the additions/upgrades section of the 376 area.
My 376 didn't have AC either, so last Spring we added a Cruisair STQ16K 410A (16,000 BTU) reverse cycle AC/ Heat system. It works great!
When installing heat and air, please remember AC wiring is different from DC wiring as black for AC is hot while for DC it is ground.
A couple of suggestions. First Mermaid sells a Condensator kit which essentially takes the water from the condensation pan and discharges overboard via the water discharge tube; thus, no more water in the bilge. It is a tad expensive but well worth it.
Secondly when I added air to boats, I installed a three way valve in the hose between the thru hull ball valve and water strainer as it is easy to winterize the engine. Simply pour some non toxic RV antifreeze in the hose and then insert it into thegallon of rv antifreeze and watch it being sucked into the engine. The 9 hp Yanmar takes 1 gallon with the larger engines taking 2-3 gallons. Cheap way to winterize an engine and also the air conditioning( it is a pain to remove the hoses from the water pump on the air uniot.
crazy dave condon
A couple of suggestions. First Mermaid sells a Condensator kit which essentially takes the water from the condensation pan and discharges overboard via the water discharge tube; thus, no more water in the bilge. It is a tad expensive but well worth it.
Secondly when I added air to boats, I installed a three way valve in the hose between the thru hull ball valve and water strainer as it is easy to winterize the engine. Simply pour some non toxic RV antifreeze in the hose and then insert it into thegallon of rv antifreeze and watch it being sucked into the engine. The 9 hp Yanmar takes 1 gallon with the larger engines taking 2-3 gallons. Cheap way to winterize an engine and also the air conditioning( it is a pain to remove the hoses from the water pump on the air uniot.
crazy dave condon
Thanks Dave, I've done quite a few air installs as well though this one on our 376 has a few challenges due to lack of space to run ducting aft, the only good spot I found is running 4' blind below the ice boxes. Hunter did a nice job of providing boxed out areas in the lockers to run ducting within that are easily disassembled to run the duct. A Dremel with a upcut bit makes cutting through the 1/2" ply an easy job in the hard to reach areas, a jig saw is taking care of the rest. I use a small shop vac which I run while I cut that sucks up any dust while I'm cutting, makes clean up much faster. For the most part the ducting is by far the most challenging part. The A/C panel is already set up for the air conditioning connection and the wire run to the unit is easy enough following the already installed wiring through the stringer grid.
Our unit is a Mermaid 16K unit, I made sure to order the condensator kit, pretty nice set up that's for sure. I'm not a huge fan of anything draining into the bilge so any extra water is going overboard, I plan to do the same with the ice box drain which currently dumps into the bilge, I'm making a small sea chest for that with pump.
I have had to order a few alternate connection duct transition fittings that didn't come with the deluxe kit from Mermaid, they send a standard kit and you can't select the fittings. A few of the parts won't work but they allow return with a 15% restocking fee. One supply duct I'm going to be mocking up with cardboard and making supply box that'll fit in the aft corner outboard in the settee shelf. Standard 4x4, 8x4 ans 8x6 teak directional supply grills work great, MSI sells them through distribution as well as the plastic transition boxes.
I'm running 4" insulated ducting forward and aft with 6" insulated supply to the main cabin. The kit comes with non-insulated ducting which I wouldn't install due to the sweating.
I've been taking photos as I progress and will be posting them in the owners section when I'm all done.
Our unit is a Mermaid 16K unit, I made sure to order the condensator kit, pretty nice set up that's for sure. I'm not a huge fan of anything draining into the bilge so any extra water is going overboard, I plan to do the same with the ice box drain which currently dumps into the bilge, I'm making a small sea chest for that with pump.
I have had to order a few alternate connection duct transition fittings that didn't come with the deluxe kit from Mermaid, they send a standard kit and you can't select the fittings. A few of the parts won't work but they allow return with a 15% restocking fee. One supply duct I'm going to be mocking up with cardboard and making supply box that'll fit in the aft corner outboard in the settee shelf. Standard 4x4, 8x4 ans 8x6 teak directional supply grills work great, MSI sells them through distribution as well as the plastic transition boxes.
I'm running 4" insulated ducting forward and aft with 6" insulated supply to the main cabin. The kit comes with non-insulated ducting which I wouldn't install due to the sweating.
I've been taking photos as I progress and will be posting them in the owners section when I'm all done.
- Status