Air Conditioner Size for Hunter 260

[bamabaxter]

Anybody recommend air conditioner size (BTU) for Hunter 260? Yes, I know there are calculations on everyone's websites, but those are guesstimated. I was thinking of ordering a Webasto Platinum 6000 BTU unit, but wanted to know what size others had used in their 260. I thought of going with their 9000BTU unit. I know too large of a unit can be a bad thing (see what I did there?). If you happen to have any pics, please share them, also.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Use to install the 9000 btu as the smaller units did not muster up when purchaseing for install on the 260 I use to sell/install when as a dealer, American Marine & Sail Supply. I bought from Mermaid and they should know most of the parts. There is a thing called the condensator which removes water from the condensation pan and connects to the discharge flow from the unit vs. bilge. It has been some time but if you call them and say crazy dave referred you, not sure what type of pricing you would get. Of course I am retired now and do not know who is out there now.

 

[bamabaxter]

Use to install the 9000 btu as the smaller units did not muster up when purchaseing for install on the 260 I use to sell/install when as a dealer, American Marine & Sail Supply. I bought from Mermaid and they should know most of the parts. There is a thing called the condensator which removes water from the condensation pan and connects to the discharge flow from the unit vs. bilge. It has been some time but if you call them and say crazy dave referred you, not sure what type of pricing you would get. Of course I am retired now and do not know who is out there now.

Where did you install the unit? I have thought of puting it under the galley sink since it n easy to acces/central location. I looked at the condensator, but it seems that it works only if a bilge pump runs to "vacuum" out the condenser pan.

 

[kloudie1]

I have a12000 BTU unit on my 34..can't quite keep up on the hottest days here.. I would think 9000-10000 would be perfect for your boat..

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

send me your phone number

 

[Johann]

Where did you install the unit? I have thought of puting it under the galley sink since it n easy to acces/central location. I looked at the condensator, but it seems that it works only if a bilge pump runs to "vacuum" out the condenser pan.

Regarding the condensator, it actually removes water from the condensation pan and is plumbed into the cooling water exhaust, so the condensation exits the boat with the cooling water and doesn't accumulate in the bilge. It operates on the venturi effect so it doesn't require a separate pump or power source.

 

[Benny17441]

I know too large of a unit can be a bad thing (see what I did there?).

That may be true in a well insulated home but not so true or significant in the average boat. Crazy Dave could not have said it better when he said " the smaller units did not muster up". For such a boat in your area (Alabama) I would go with a 12,000 BTU unit if the space and the budget permit it. If you will be considering running the unit on the hook with a portable generator then stay under 12,000 BTU as the power requirements of the larger units might exceed the output of the small generators. True that in the winter time with cooler ambient temperatures you might feel the negative effects of having too large a unit but in the summertime where it counts you will be glad you have it.

 

[Kermit]

It has been some time but if you call them and say crazy dave referred you, not sure what type of pricing you would get.

Be careful with that. They might charge you extra. ;-)

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Actually, sometimes a discount was given but not sure if the same salesman is still there. So Mr. Frog, Baribit!!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Bamabaxter,
One good reason for the 9000 BTU unit was the experience with it installing on the 26 and 260.

Things to consider for the return air you have to make sure the air flow is not obstructed; otherwise the unit will freeze up the coils. Not an engineer but it did happen. I use to put the unit on a platform on top of the water tank running a 6 inch duct down the stbd side with one duct ending to the right of the galley for the rear berth and one duct off the galley 6 inch I think into the cabin. Another split off of a 4 inch duct down the port side to the head and not sure if I ducted that off into the cabin under the seating. Any duct work was extra insulated and tucked under the seats up and out of the way. Yes you do loose storage but staying on the boat in the summer or winter was worth it to many. Of course you would install shore power. I did use a condensator. Why putting the unit forward, most slept in the rear berth and putting the unit behind the rear berth wall, you heard that noise at night. In addition if everything is turned off and pluged into a Honda 2000 generator, you can start that unit up. Remember it is the initial start up with any air conditioner that draws the most for a very short period of time. I hope this helps but it is your choice where you want to install. One thing I always supplied was a shore power tester to check the dock power to ensure there were no electrical issues with any shore power plugging into. Hope this helps.