Air Conditioning unit in 37.5

U

Unwinder

.
May 23, 2005
16
Hunter Legend 37.5 Mobile, AL
It is time to replace the original A/C unit in my 1994 37.5. It is a split system with a blower in the main cabin, under the port settee behind the icebox, a second blower in the after cabin locker next to the head of the bed and the compressor under the starboard settee just forward of chart table. It's been leaking R22 and needing recharging each year and the heat cycle does not work. The compressor is really a hard start.
I want to go back with a single package unit (that I can install myself) but cannot find how to get a 4" duct to the aft cabin. A Dometic 16,000 Btu unit fits under the port settee forward of the ice box. I can't find a way to get a duct across the icebox as it seems foamed into the floor and the side hull. There's no path under the floor. It might fit under the starboard settee, but questionable how to pass through the head...
If anyone has a single unit installed in this or a similar boat, I'd appreciate your sharing with me how that is installed. I don't want to give up cold supply air to the aft cabin. Thanking you in advance.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,961
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
No solution to your question but...

We have used 2 counter top 120VAC fans to blow Cold air from out 16k Dometic system to the Aft cabin. [located in same spot as you propose]

Our aft Cabin has a separate 8k Dometic and it lost is control board.

We slept in comfortable.;)
Jim...

PS: Our Fans have rubber feet and do not slide on a 10° heel.:)
 
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BigEasy

BigEasy

.
Jun 21, 2004
3,057
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Can’t help with the single self contained idea; however, you could always install another split system. I have a cruisair/domestic emerald system with a 16k btu condenser as well as a 12k btu air handler/evaporator that supplies the forward berth & salon and a 4K btu air handler for the aft berth. Works well. I don’t have any idea of cost as previous owner had it professionally installed. You could install the system and have a professional evacuate it and charge with 410A.
 
U

Unwinder

.
May 23, 2005
16
Hunter Legend 37.5 Mobile, AL
JamesG161 said:
No solution to your question but...

We have used 2 counter top 120VAC fans to blow Cold air from out 16k Dometic system to the Aft cabin. [located in same spot as you propose]

Our aft Cabin has a separate 8k Dometic and it lost is control board.

We slept in comfortable.;)
Jim...

PS: Our Fans have rubber feet and do not slide on a 10° heel.:)
Click to expand
I agree that may be my final result...I'd be done if I chose that option. Thanks for the response.
 
U

Unwinder

.
May 23, 2005
16
Hunter Legend 37.5 Mobile, AL
BigEasy said:
Can’t help with the single self contained idea; however, you could always install another split system. I have a cruisair/domestic emerald system with a 16k btu condenser as well as a 12k btu air handler/evaporator that supplies the forward berth & salon and a 4K btu air handler for the aft berth. Works well. I don’t have any idea of cost as previous owner had it professionally installed. You could install the system and have a professional evacuate it and charge with 410A.
Click to expand
I agree that a second split system would work, but several reasons why that's not on the table. #1 is cost. Downsizing the main unit does not reduce cost enough to cover cost of second, smaller unit. It is at least 1.5 x the cost of a single unit. #2 is power. My older equipment takes two, 2,000 watt Honda generators to run. I know someone who runs his new 16k unit off of one... Pricing out my replacement equipment now is nearly twice the cost of a new single system, plus it would have to be professionally installed due to new copper and refrigerant charging. I do appreciate the suggestion and agree it's best, but trying not to spend so much or use more power. Thanks for your response.
 
BigEasy

BigEasy

.
Jun 21, 2004
3,057
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Unwinder said:
I agree that a second split system would work, but several reasons why that's not on the table. #1 is cost. Pricing out my replacement equipment now is nearly twice the cost of a new single system, plus it would have to be professionally installed due to new copper and refrigerant charging. I do appreciate the suggestion and agree it's best, but trying not to spend so much or use more power. Thanks for your response.
Click to expand
know what you're talking about. I dread the day that my system needs replacement. If I replace the current system, as is, its going to cost a bunch.
If I replace with one self contained unit, I will have to relocate the raw water thru hull fitting as well as run all new ducting as well as relocate the return air intake and output vents. Major task & expense.
 
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R

rjarrell

.
Jan 22, 2008
55
Hunter 37.5 Jacksonville FL
Have a single self contained reverse cycle Mermaid Air 16500 BTU on my 37.5. Mounted under port setee forward of frig. 4 in duct running aft outside of reefer (next to hull), under galley sink, and behind stove into and thru hanging locker in aft berth
 
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Scott NIelsen

Scott NIelsen

.
Sep 30, 2008
96
Hunter 37.5 37.5 Norfolk
I have a similar installation in OLD CROW a 1996 37.5 as rjarrell stated above except unit is a R22 Lunaire from the same timeframe as the boat. I have already done the precheck for installing a current refrigerant unit when the one on OLD CROW dies. You lose a little space in the open storage beneath the lockers in the galley. However, I feel it is a small price to pay for AC in the boat. There is also a duct running to the forward V-berth on the port side. It was installed on the boat when I purchased boat. am the second owner.
 
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U

Unwinder

.
May 23, 2005
16
Hunter Legend 37.5 Mobile, AL
rjarrell said:
Have a single self contained reverse cycle Mermaid Air 16500 BTU on my 37.5. Mounted under port setee forward of frig. 4 in duct running aft outside of reefer (next to hull), under galley sink, and behind stove into and thru hanging locker in aft berth
Click to expand
That's exactly what I want to do, but don't see how to get the 4" duct around the reefer. Mine seems to be foamed to the bottom and outside hull, but have not taken much apart to confirm that. Did you go under the settee then aft under the reefer?? Sounds like I need to take some more things apart, like reefer enclosure? Any pics would help. Thanks so much!
 
U

Unwinder

.
May 23, 2005
16
Hunter Legend 37.5 Mobile, AL
Scott NIelsen said:
I have a similar installation in OLD CROW a 1996 37.5 as rjarrell stated above except unit is a R22 Lunaire from the same timeframe as the boat. I have already done the precheck for installing a current refrigerant unit when the one on OLD CROW dies. You lose a little space in the open storage beneath the lockers in the galley. However, I feel it is a small price to pay for AC in the boat. There is also a duct running to the forward V-berth on the port side. It was installed on the boat when I purchased boat. am the second owner.
Click to expand
Thanks for your response. Not sure how you got around the refrigerator, or did you go in the cabinets above??
 
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