Recently bought a hunter 29.5. Does anyone have the slightest idea on what the best way to have airconditioning inside while sailing?? Sailing in Florida is like sailing on the surface of the sun...
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cool sailing in Fla
Alex I have found that a Bimini Top over the cockpit is enough even in Florida to keep you confortable -- at least until the breeze quits. Am out almost every day in South Florida in the summer and it is usually quite comfortable. At the dock is another story -- agonizingly hot. Henry
Alex I have found that a Bimini Top over the cockpit is enough even in Florida to keep you confortable -- at least until the breeze quits. Am out almost every day in South Florida in the summer and it is usually quite comfortable. At the dock is another story -- agonizingly hot. Henry
Many Times
This has been cover here many times and the short of it all is... You Can't. Unless you have an engine you want to run all the time the way you do in a car if isn't possible. You may be able to hook up some sort of fan with a block of ice, but real A/C is at the dock. You need 110/120 volts.... Ron/KA5HZV
This has been cover here many times and the short of it all is... You Can't. Unless you have an engine you want to run all the time the way you do in a car if isn't possible. You may be able to hook up some sort of fan with a block of ice, but real A/C is at the dock. You need 110/120 volts.... Ron/KA5HZV
AC while out and on the hook
So I just bought a new H326 and I asked Hunter this same question. How can I have AC out while on the hook. They mentioned that many are using small gas generators to power the shore power of the boat. I have been looking into this and I think the new Honda EU1000i (1000w) can do the trick. However there is the EU2000i with a slightly larger footprint and 1db more noise that may be even better. Now to just find the unit that I can just snap into one of the lockers under the seats and Ill be happy. Artic Marine seems to have at unit for 1500 approx that seems like its just Raw water in (off head thru hull) and another above waterline bildge like thru hull. The power and then a duct to where one wants the air! Let me know what you end up with Ed Michaya H326 - North Cove NYHARBOR Ground Zero
So I just bought a new H326 and I asked Hunter this same question. How can I have AC out while on the hook. They mentioned that many are using small gas generators to power the shore power of the boat. I have been looking into this and I think the new Honda EU1000i (1000w) can do the trick. However there is the EU2000i with a slightly larger footprint and 1db more noise that may be even better. Now to just find the unit that I can just snap into one of the lockers under the seats and Ill be happy. Artic Marine seems to have at unit for 1500 approx that seems like its just Raw water in (off head thru hull) and another above waterline bildge like thru hull. The power and then a duct to where one wants the air! Let me know what you end up with Ed Michaya H326 - North Cove NYHARBOR Ground Zero
Ventilation
Just make sure you ventilate the exhaust of that generator so that the fumes do not wind up inside the cabin. Even the lockers under the seats on some boats can pass air into the cabin, through the bulkhead or the bilge. Where air can pass, carbon monoxide can as well.
Just make sure you ventilate the exhaust of that generator so that the fumes do not wind up inside the cabin. Even the lockers under the seats on some boats can pass air into the cabin, through the bulkhead or the bilge. Where air can pass, carbon monoxide can as well.
DC air conditioning
I have been interested in this also. Have a look at Glacier Bays web page. They have a compressor (DC) that does both fridg and AC. It is expensive, but may be an answer.Also, I do a fair bit of ocean sailing or sometimes motoring. When sailing say coming up to the Chesapeake from the carribean or vice verse its not generly hot. However, when the wind dies sometimes for days on end and you have to motor it is hot. What I dont understand is why with a high output alternator and appropiate inverter you could not run an AC airconditioner.
I have been interested in this also. Have a look at Glacier Bays web page. They have a compressor (DC) that does both fridg and AC. It is expensive, but may be an answer.Also, I do a fair bit of ocean sailing or sometimes motoring. When sailing say coming up to the Chesapeake from the carribean or vice verse its not generly hot. However, when the wind dies sometimes for days on end and you have to motor it is hot. What I dont understand is why with a high output alternator and appropiate inverter you could not run an AC airconditioner.
Tom, too many amps.
These things draw a lot of amps when running. I think the startup amps on my 12K Mermaid is over 15 and then down to 8 or 10. Those are amps at 115 volts, multiply by ten for 12volt DC. So you would need a battery bank of 200Ah and have to recharge at a rate of 100Ah, a tall order just for the A/C part. And this assumes the inverter could handle the nearly 200amp DC startup.
These things draw a lot of amps when running. I think the startup amps on my 12K Mermaid is over 15 and then down to 8 or 10. Those are amps at 115 volts, multiply by ten for 12volt DC. So you would need a battery bank of 200Ah and have to recharge at a rate of 100Ah, a tall order just for the A/C part. And this assumes the inverter could handle the nearly 200amp DC startup.
Why too many amps
Ed: You may be right, but an off shore boat should have a bank of 400-800Ah and with a 160amp high output alternator plus wind and solar. Why wouldn't it work when having to motor or motor sail long periods. On our trip north from the carribean last spring we had no wind for 5-6 days motoring the whole time/very uncomfortable. Also, in the same vein if you are running a 60hp deisel why couldn't you tack a generator onto it and get direct AC rather than even need an inverter. My view is that it is mainly when you motor that it seems hot. Besides, most people need to run their engine 3hrs a day to recharge batteries. If this were done in the evening and you could get air at the same time it could cool off the cabin so the off watch people could get some comforable sleep.Alternatively, what about an ac compressor running off the engine. Hence, air would only be available when the deisel was running.
Ed: You may be right, but an off shore boat should have a bank of 400-800Ah and with a 160amp high output alternator plus wind and solar. Why wouldn't it work when having to motor or motor sail long periods. On our trip north from the carribean last spring we had no wind for 5-6 days motoring the whole time/very uncomfortable. Also, in the same vein if you are running a 60hp deisel why couldn't you tack a generator onto it and get direct AC rather than even need an inverter. My view is that it is mainly when you motor that it seems hot. Besides, most people need to run their engine 3hrs a day to recharge batteries. If this were done in the evening and you could get air at the same time it could cool off the cabin so the off watch people could get some comforable sleep.Alternatively, what about an ac compressor running off the engine. Hence, air would only be available when the deisel was running.
Think you are right Tom.
All of those options that you mention are available. But at a price and with room to install them. I know that my 2000W Heart Inverter won't do it with a 300Ah bank. In fact I think I remember that very question on the Heart(now Xantrex) website. So, with my budget, I could lash a 2000W Honda to the deck. Then my only concern would be where to store the gasoline.
Seriously though, I am not an expert. Call Mermaid and ask that question. They are very helpful there.
All of those options that you mention are available. But at a price and with room to install them. I know that my 2000W Heart Inverter won't do it with a 300Ah bank. In fact I think I remember that very question on the Heart(now Xantrex) website. So, with my budget, I could lash a 2000W Honda to the deck. Then my only concern would be where to store the gasoline.
Seriously though, I am not an expert. Call Mermaid and ask that question. They are very helpful there.The Xantrex word.
Here is the Heart Freedom information that I was trying to remember. In the Related Link.
Here is the Heart Freedom information that I was trying to remember. In the Related Link.
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