Well finally have the AC installed on the 32 Vision, and is working great. Sacrificed the alcohol oven for the space, but will be worth it. 
Air Conditioning install on Hunter Vision 32
- Thread starter wickedwahine
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That's an interesting place.. I just installed a Webasto FCF16K btu unit in my Vision 32 as well but I put it next to the mast on the starboard side. I then ran a duct up to starboard area behind salon seating, another around settee to port right at galley area, then a third back to aft cabin. We're in Texas where it gets hot and we love it!!!
AC install
I kept looking at other people's installs and trying to get ideas but had no luck. I will post some more pictures of the complete install. It does give me air to the back cabin, and a 5x10 on the bulkhead above the galley. It seems to be doing a nice job in our muggy summers, and is a nice addition when in the marina.
Sounds like a good install. I had looked at it a long time trying to decide where to site it. I looked at a V32 in Middle River that had a 16k installed on the port side of the mast with venting behind the forward bulkhead. I went with a 12K because I thought I could tie it to my existing electrical panel. I have it installed like that now with a 20amp / 12 wire, and it is working great, but according to the manufacturer It should be fused for 32 amps. My backup was to install a new panel with a dedicated inlet on the transom.
I kept looking at other people's installs and trying to get ideas but had no luck. I will post some more pictures of the complete install. It does give me air to the back cabin, and a 5x10 on the bulkhead above the galley. It seems to be doing a nice job in our muggy summers, and is a nice addition when in the marina.
Air conditioning
I agree, I think where u r located, 12k is perfect. Not many Vision 32 owners out there that post so you have my info if u need anything. I just finished replacing my port & starboard windows. I ve also replaced my holding tank, plumbing, toilet pump. I ve put in an auto helm, mini chart plotter. Removed and repaired the original DMI instruments. Interesting, my boat originally came from VA.
James Cox
I agree, I think where u r located, 12k is perfect. Not many Vision 32 owners out there that post so you have my info if u need anything. I just finished replacing my port & starboard windows. I ve also replaced my holding tank, plumbing, toilet pump. I ve put in an auto helm, mini chart plotter. Removed and repaired the original DMI instruments. Interesting, my boat originally came from VA.
James Cox
Thanks James,
I have replaced my holding tank as well, that is another topic. sealed up the original aluminum tank under the shower seat, and have an 18 gallon poly tank in the aft cabin against the starboard side. I am in dire need of new windows however, as mine are badly crazed. I am happy to have another Vision owner to bounce ideas off of.
Mark
Finished Vision 32 Air Conditioner Install
Here is the finished install. Vent in aft cabin can be shut to redirect the air if needed.
Here is the finished install. Vent in aft cabin can be shut to redirect the air if needed.
Attachments
A/C
Mark that really looks good. I noticed your window, that's exactly how mine were. One was blue, one was just so crazed through, you could not see out. My windows were smoke colored, now it's called dark gray. If yours are Bronze, I have a starboard window new I bought and never used. If there gray like mine, you'll have to have them made which was really easy and cheap. My first window took allot of hours to do, the second was probably 4 hours by myself. You get the hang of it real quick and it's a lot easier than you think. PM me when you get ready, I ll give u my number and walk you through it.
Mark that really looks good. I noticed your window, that's exactly how mine were. One was blue, one was just so crazed through, you could not see out. My windows were smoke colored, now it's called dark gray. If yours are Bronze, I have a starboard window new I bought and never used. If there gray like mine, you'll have to have them made which was really easy and cheap. My first window took allot of hours to do, the second was probably 4 hours by myself. You get the hang of it real quick and it's a lot easier than you think. PM me when you get ready, I ll give u my number and walk you through it.
Thanks James. Don't expect to get to them this season, but will definitely seek your advice when I get ready to tackle it. It would improve the appearance both inside as well as outside with new acrylic. I posted on another thread a few pictures of the holding tank install. It was a much needed repair. I was less then impressed with the original holding tank installation (under the shower seat and aluminum). The tech at Hunter sent me the original drawings for the tank, but the install required cutting away all the fiberglass in the shower seat, and then the tank would have to be custom built. It was not as big as I would have liked either, and I wanted a poly tank. It is a 24 year old boat and there is always something needing to be repaired. I do like it though.
My other big project for this year was a sail track (strong track) install, and a Doyle sail cradle system, both from Sail Care. The main had to be loose footed to work with the new sail cradle as well. I also had my rigger assist me in re-engineering the jiffy reefing system, as it was not very functional. Tt is now rigged so the port side reefing line is the forward reef point, and the starboard reefing line is the aft reef point. I have them rigged to the first reef points, and they can be readily set. If I needed a second reef I need to move them at the sail. It is not a likely event, as I am not heading off shore, and if it is blowing that hard I will probably head for a cove or river (On the upper Chesapeake). The new reefing lines work great, all from the cockpit, and are a much better solution then the single line system, which never worked well.
Always allot to do. Now the challenge is to get away from the dock and actually go sailing.
I struggle with my reef lines all the time. In fact, I can't stand the damn thing. I ll seek ur advice if I change it. Speaking of reefing, let me ask you, do you heave to if you need to add a reef while out sailing? I haven't tried to heave to in this boat.
I will look for your holding tank up grade. Is the tank now above the toilet? Can you pump uphill? Ur right about cutting for the orig holding take replacement. Sad thing is that when it was all said and done, I have a holding tank that must be pumped out after a weekends worth of use for two people. That's not fun!!
I will look for your holding tank up grade. Is the tank now above the toilet? Can you pump uphill? Ur right about cutting for the orig holding take replacement. Sad thing is that when it was all said and done, I have a holding tank that must be pumped out after a weekends worth of use for two people. That's not fun!!
James
I am assuming you cut the tank out of the original spot and had one custom made to fit? I did get all the original drawings from hunter, I just could not bring myself to cut the glass and then have to attempt to match the gel coat. One of the issues with the stock tank was the size, and that is fills from the side, not the top. The result is you lose volume (my guess is at least a gallon) because you can't really ever fill it. The one I installed is a Ronco stock tank, 18 gallons. The head does pump slightly uphill, but works fine. I upsized the vent to 3/4 from 5/8 and the pump-out is 1 1/2 inch dip tube (so no fitting on the bottom of the tank to fail). Again was looking for someone with a better idea, but no joy. Fills from the top as well, so you get 18 usable gallons. Ronco was great to deal with, and put the fittings I wanted where I wanted them. From other postings, it may have been a better install had I had them make a custom tank. I glassed in some cleats - not on the pictures I posted - and just have not gotten to making my bulkheads yet. Need to get a sheet of teak ply - or may use marine and then cover with formica. I also had to cut the end corner of the bunk cushion. All things considered ,it works out pretty well. That bunk is about 9 feet long on the forward end where I had to cut, so no issue there.
Hunter has learned their lesson with the aluminum tanks, but not soon enough for us older boat owners. It was the one issue I knew I had when I bought, from reading the forums. If I had to do it over again I might have gone with a vacu-flush system, but would have driven the cost up considerably. It is like doubling your holding tank size though. One of my dock mates has that style of system, and it is pretty impressive. It also allows you to use much longer runs from the head to the holding tank, without using excessive water for every flush.
Yes, I cut out the shower and replaced with an even smaller tank. I did not re gelcoat the edges. I simply putty over the edges/gap with west system I think, then sanded and painted it. It looks very close to original unless you lay on your side on the floor looking for discrepancy.
As for a/c, I ended up putting the unit next to the mast. There is one 3" vent on right salon, one 4" vent on left salon and one 3" vent going aft under stove to aft cabin. It gets very cold!!
AC - Vision 32 install
So far the Webasto unit is working great, and is a nice addition on cool mornings in the marina. Not certain how well it will function as the water temperature drops. Won't be too long I will be winterizing all the systems.
Enjoy the southern fall sailing. Mark
Sounds like a good system. More complex then what I did, but is bigger unit. I assume you ran a second 30 amp as dedicated AC service. Right now I am trying to get some late fall sailing in, and make use of the boat before the weather turns too foul.
So far the Webasto unit is working great, and is a nice addition on cool mornings in the marina. Not certain how well it will function as the water temperature drops. Won't be too long I will be winterizing all the systems.
Enjoy the southern fall sailing. Mark
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