I have a 26' San Juan and will need AC very soon. What do you guys use for an aftermarket AC? Do you do potable or and good ideas on rigging something? It seems like they have some very small AC's that look good so far.
Air Conditioning
- Thread starter lingarner
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LOL...I have a Getto AC for my boat. I made a set of plywood hatch boards and made a cutout for a window unit. It works okay at the dock.
I prefer to be on the hook though. I will have to figure out this one this summer because if it gets really balmy I may start bring the AC with me and getting a slip once in a while!
I prefer to be on the hook though. I will have to figure out this one this summer because if it gets really balmy I may start bring the AC with me and getting a slip once in a while!
My wife and I will be gunk holing in Tampa for the month of June. I decided against the companionway board set up and will use my hatch instead. I will be running a Honda EU2000 and do not want the AC to be able to pull in any fumes from the generator running. I will be doing a home made set up that is modeled after Seth Dixon did on his O'Day 25.
Seth Dixon's Modification
Seth Dixon's Modification
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That is a slick set-up Recess. I may have to try that one. My AC wouldn't need too much modification because of the way my front hatch is. It would also beat having to step over the AC. I wouldn't mind obtaining a generator as well. Interesting, very interesting.
- Jul 24, 2006
- 628
Not Manly Enough
Hey I gotta say that its not real, that ac installation. Why there's no duct tape or bungy cords anywhere. How do you exspect it to stay put, hmm?
Hey I gotta say that its not real, that ac installation. Why there's no duct tape or bungy cords anywhere. How do you exspect it to stay put, hmm?
It looks to me that there is a channel in the deck of the boat and a board runs through the channel. It should hold onto it fine as long as the AC is connected to the mounting board. Then again, I would probably want to secure it a little further because you know how people love to go through anchorages at Mock 5 kicking up 3 foot wakes!
I like the idea....what are you using for the side pannels?
I wonder if one can make something to attach to the air ducts to have them blow down into the boat instead of blowing on the hatch.
I wonder if one can make something to attach to the air ducts to have them blow down into the boat instead of blowing on the hatch.
Another idea. Could I mount a small window unit, between the where the cabin meets with the cockpit storage area. When its time to use the AC, open up the cockpit storage lid so it can get air through the back. Then the condensation falls down into the bilge which the pump will get. What do you guys think?
A friend does exactly that on his Hunter 28.5. Small $100. window unit does a nice job. Just a small block to prop open the locker seat lid a few inches is all it takes. The bulkhead hole to locker is in his head. So he uses a fan to pull the air out and distribute it through the cabin.
The problem with the top hatch installation is the air flow. The cold air coming from the top is passed right in front of the air intake louvers causing that cold air to recirculate in a small space leaving the warm humid air in the rest of the boat. A baffle needs to be installed to separate the cold/warm air flows and to direct the cold air into the cabin.
Recess-I know you want to tackle the water maker. So this project would be a piece of cake compared to that.
Take a window unit (walmart style like what's in your pic).
Cut the condernser out and remove the cooling fan for the condenser and replace it with a tube in tube heat exchanger. They cost around $100 for the cupronickle type that you would need.
I would take it to a AC repair shop and have them solder it in the AC unit and charge it.
You would have to have an available through hull to feed it sea water, but that would give you true marine AC, with a remote control.
I bet you could get a shop to solder and charge that for $100, but I am not sure.
If anyone sees a problem with this please let me know. I have already tore apart a small wondow unit, but I haven't bought the tube in tube yet. There is a place in Waco Tx that sells them. If anyone really wants to know I will dig it up.
Take a window unit (walmart style like what's in your pic).
Cut the condernser out and remove the cooling fan for the condenser and replace it with a tube in tube heat exchanger. They cost around $100 for the cupronickle type that you would need.
I would take it to a AC repair shop and have them solder it in the AC unit and charge it.
You would have to have an available through hull to feed it sea water, but that would give you true marine AC, with a remote control.
I bet you could get a shop to solder and charge that for $100, but I am not sure.
If anyone sees a problem with this please let me know. I have already tore apart a small wondow unit, but I haven't bought the tube in tube yet. There is a place in Waco Tx that sells them. If anyone really wants to know I will dig it up.
You can buy the old Carry On AC unit that fits into your hatch. It is designed for boating use and you can pick them up used for $100, $150. I have one and while I do not use it much, it does work well and easy to plop in or remove.
consider the Kenmore 5300 BTU model
Anyone looking to buy a small window unit for use with the EU2000i should consider the Sears 5300 BTU ($149) model over the Haier $99 units that are commonly found. Check it out at sears website. I haven't used one personally but I am in the market also and this one has my attention. The Kenmore 5300 unit is 10.8 seer energy star rated and seems to pull less amps running and at startup. The reviews (FWIW) indicate that its much quieter. But the most important difference is that the air output on the front panel blows straight out as opposed to upward in the Haier unit. We recognized the need for AC while sailing the Keys this year in early April. The nights were cool enough but we really would have liked to dehumidify the cabin before hitting the sack. We'll be in New England mostly this summer so I probably won't get one till next March or April. I would aprreciate any first hand feedback from anyone who has used this Kenmore 5300 BTU unit.
Anyone looking to buy a small window unit for use with the EU2000i should consider the Sears 5300 BTU ($149) model over the Haier $99 units that are commonly found. Check it out at sears website. I haven't used one personally but I am in the market also and this one has my attention. The Kenmore 5300 unit is 10.8 seer energy star rated and seems to pull less amps running and at startup. The reviews (FWIW) indicate that its much quieter. But the most important difference is that the air output on the front panel blows straight out as opposed to upward in the Haier unit. We recognized the need for AC while sailing the Keys this year in early April. The nights were cool enough but we really would have liked to dehumidify the cabin before hitting the sack. We'll be in New England mostly this summer so I probably won't get one till next March or April. I would aprreciate any first hand feedback from anyone who has used this Kenmore 5300 BTU unit.
http://www.packless.com/splash.html
You definitely want to get the cupronickle. But the model tube in tube heat exchanger will depend on how you want it to fit and the btu of your unit. These are the onlt 2 things you have to worry about. Some are coils, some trombone shaped, doesn't really matter whta shape as long as it can handle the btus. If you tell them how many btus and what shape they will tell you which one.
I think this is a moderately easy project to accomplish. I did a little research and asked a few experts on the matter. They seem to think it will work.
You definitely want to get the cupronickle. But the model tube in tube heat exchanger will depend on how you want it to fit and the btu of your unit. These are the onlt 2 things you have to worry about. Some are coils, some trombone shaped, doesn't really matter whta shape as long as it can handle the btus. If you tell them how many btus and what shape they will tell you which one.
I think this is a moderately easy project to accomplish. I did a little research and asked a few experts on the matter. They seem to think it will work.
I am going to look into this next spring Scott. I am getting the look from my wife on all the projects I have done this winter/spring. She never gives me that look but we are getting close to my son's five year birthday party and my wife likes to go WAYYYYYY overboard on the parties. I mean WAYYYYY overboard. I spend way too much on both the sailboat and my astronomy addiction so I just need to shut up and lay off the spending for a few months and then I can start spending like a banker with Alzheimer's again.
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