Air Conditioner

[Hawk4661]

In my 1993 Hunter 23.5 I would like to be able to use a 25 lbs/115volt / 5.6 amp /GE 5000 btu window a/c for those hot summer days. I spent a week on Table Rock Lake last year @ Branson State Park Marina very nice location.
In a slip across from mine was a power boat where a father and son watched the world series game in the comfort of air conditioning.
When I saw the a/c operating( port window location). I knew it was it was so "cool", I had to get one.

Question; I just was given the above size a/c but want to ask; "which is the best way to temporarly install unit for comfort in cabin"?
In a fore window ( which my port side has a crack) ,or cabin companionway? Thank you. mark<><

 

[kloudie1]

Cheapest is a normal unit mounted in the companionway, but it will get in your way and it makes sitting outside in the cockpit noisy and uncomfortable. I did that for a couple of years before installing a belowdecks unit. The CruiseAire Portable is a slick little unit that I have used in a couple of small boats. It would be fine in your boat, and it goes in the front hatch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Crui...0605257QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[CCrane2299]

I've been thinking about this too. It seems to me that a piece of 1/2 inch plywood, cut like the bottom of the companionway, with the A/C mounted in it would be really portable and easy to stow. You might could even hinge the sides to make it more stow-able. I do not know if you could step on it to get in and out. My other thought is to put it in the hatch on the top of the cabin, and build a box around it. The A/C unit could sit on the cabin and then you could make a lightweight folding surround that fits between the hatch and the A/C unit. The surround could be made from foam insulation board taped together in such a way as to fold flat when not in use. This might require a piece of flashing to keep the air from just recirculating in the unit since the cold air comes from the top and the return is on the bottom.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Not sure how your boat is designed but I know how a friend did his H28.5. He has a small unit mounted in a cutout so the back end is in his starboard locker. His head is to starboard of his companionway. So I think he cut the hole in the back of the head. He opens the starboard cockpit locker a small amount to let hot air escape.

Have another friend that mounted one like yours on the forward hatch similar to a Cruise-Air. Its a window unit and he sewed some sunbrella to direct the air down the hatch. Canvas or maybe glue some starboard together to direct the output.

 

[Bill Roosa]

a small wrinkle

Where are you going to stow it while underway?
Is the unit powerful enough? 5k BTU is not a lot of cooling. Perhaps you should also consider some sun screens to lower the heat input. I had a 7.5k BTU unit on my 37.5 and all it did was keep the Vee berth cool. Had almost no effect in the main cabin due to the lack of being able to circulate the air with all the ports closed up. It was installed in the Vee berth hatch.

Soap box please.
Not that it is illegal or anything but if you want to watch the World Series you get a much better seat at home. The beer, chips, soda, and hotdogs are in greater abundance also.

I have found that by using sun screens and 12 volt fans you can keep the cabin quite cool without an AC. Last summer when it was 95+ outside we could keep the cabin at 80ish in the heat of the day and even cooler during the afternoon and evening. And this works while at anchor too.

 

[Benny17441]

The problem with window units is the "airflow". It just disperses in one direction and only travels 3-4 ft. The most efficient place in a small boat is the companionway as it faces the cabin salon. This is the area of larger volume and the unit will not cycle off until a cool temperature has been reached. In the opposite a window unit in the small area of a V-Berth may cool that area and cycle off while the rest of the boat may remain warm. It is PITA to get in and out of the companionway as you have to climb over it but it makes for the best location. If you only have a few days a year that you really need the A/C then it is the way to go. You may also run it at anchor with a small gas powered generator. The 5K units will run with a Honda 1000eu.

 

[Hawk4661]

Thanks Benny.....sounds like a plan. The gen set sounds like a must get too.

 

[Hawk4661]

You have inspired me friend.....I am thinking that with unit on top of cabin w/ base.
Two flex ducts running from one small prefabricated sheet metal plenium( made to devide supply and return air) to proper size....one from supply and one from return could be placed on opposite sides of the top board of companionway insulated cover board/ ply.
It would be easy lift out board with flex ( 2-3 ft long) ducts attached ...for those all to often bath trips late at nite.
I'll let you know of cost and how it works.
Off to meet with sheet metal man...lol.

 

[soling42]

We use a small window unit in the companionway but we don't bother taking it unless we're overnighting at a dock with shore power. Storing window units and generators just isn't really practical on our small boat. The fan isn't strong enough to run duct work so a companionway fit is really the best choice.

Stepping over it is a bit precarious and sitting in the cockpit while its spewing heat out the back is not realistic but it'll chill the interior of our 260 just fine so sleeping is tolerable on summer nights.

I seal most gaps with well placed swim noodle plugs and small plywood fillers on each side. I also leave it on intermittently while the boat is in our shop for storage during the hottest months of Summer to fight mold and cushion foam destruction from high heat levels.

Cockpit and cabin roof canvas will usually do just fine unless it's absolutely sweltering and then I have to wonder why I'm even there. I have a big tarp with old fibreglass tent rods for support that work very well over the aft 2/3 of the boat(incl the bimini).


Have a nice cool season. Mike

 

[Deucer]

Ever think about an external vent air conditioner (the kind where the unit is totally inside and free standing and you just a hose to the outside). It would alleviate the issue of how to mount the unit. Just strap it down somewhere inside and run the hose (you could easily adapt the forward hatch to accept it. They have them at almost any place that sells window air conditioners.

We've got a marine unit that installs in the bow hatch...but I think it needs a freon charge...sigh...

 

[Deucer]

try this link for a portable air conditioner..

http://www.lowes.com/pd_211842-8000...9075_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_quantity_sold|0