Several Forum members educated me quick yesterday on what's involved in air conditioning a 336. Thanks. I'd like to use the a/c away from the dock so does anyone have an opinion on gensets? In June '97 Practical Sailor noted that a few manufacturers make small water-cooled DC gensets that provide 100 amps or more of 12-volt for operation of a small air conditioning systems. Does anyone have details on them? Also, I may one day add a windlass or radar so should I be thinking beyond the just a/c in sizing what's needed? Finally, on a boat the size of the 336 is there room for both a genset and a/c? Thanks in advance. John
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Ed Schenck
From previous thread, "h336 BTUs".
John, was the conclusion there that you needed at least 12K and probably 16k? I know the New Bern area and would opt for the 16k which means 110V. So that would seem to indicate an A/C generator. A DC generator and then an inverter for the 110V air-conditioner won't cut it. Even a big inverter cannot handle the startup amps from your batteries. Can't help with where to put one but I don't think there is a big difference in size between the two generators. My air(Mermaid) fits on a cabinet shelf, 12" x 17" and is 12" high.
John, was the conclusion there that you needed at least 12K and probably 16k? I know the New Bern area and would opt for the 16k which means 110V. So that would seem to indicate an A/C generator. A DC generator and then an inverter for the 110V air-conditioner won't cut it. Even a big inverter cannot handle the startup amps from your batteries. Can't help with where to put one but I don't think there is a big difference in size between the two generators. My air(Mermaid) fits on a cabinet shelf, 12" x 17" and is 12" high.
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mike kinney
You should need only about a 4kw set
John: There is a 340 for sale at Whitney's Marine in Florida that has a 4kw Panda genset. This is reputed to be a very fine generator. Also, the 16,000 btu unit will draw only about 18 amps (my guess) when running. Thus, the 4kw set should be adequate for your needs. I wouldn't go with a larger unit simply because of weight and size. Also, the uses you identified won't compete for power with your AC; i.e., when your windlass or radar are on, presumably your AC is off.
John: There is a 340 for sale at Whitney's Marine in Florida that has a 4kw Panda genset. This is reputed to be a very fine generator. Also, the 16,000 btu unit will draw only about 18 amps (my guess) when running. Thus, the 4kw set should be adequate for your needs. I wouldn't go with a larger unit simply because of weight and size. Also, the uses you identified won't compete for power with your AC; i.e., when your windlass or radar are on, presumably your AC is off.
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TOMMY MCNAMARA
A/C & GENNY
I notice that none of you guys who know what you are talking about,answered this post and I cant blaim you.Iknow a little and waited for the experts.16K to 4K is the sublime to the rediculous. I have a 450 with 2 a/c's and 9K genny and alls well.What d/c/equipment has to do with an a/c genny beats the hell out of me.
I notice that none of you guys who know what you are talking about,answered this post and I cant blaim you.Iknow a little and waited for the experts.16K to 4K is the sublime to the rediculous. I have a 450 with 2 a/c's and 9K genny and alls well.What d/c/equipment has to do with an a/c genny beats the hell out of me.
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Bob Knott
Be careful
While acknowledging that I have niether AC nor a genset on my 380 I read in numerous publications that gensets like to be run under load, so don't buy a big one and think you giving it an easy time of it. Genny's like to be run and run hard. Almost every marina has an electronics shop where resident experts reside. Wonder what they'd tell ya over a beer on Friday afternoon? Good luck Bob Knott H380
While acknowledging that I have niether AC nor a genset on my 380 I read in numerous publications that gensets like to be run under load, so don't buy a big one and think you giving it an easy time of it. Genny's like to be run and run hard. Almost every marina has an electronics shop where resident experts reside. Wonder what they'd tell ya over a beer on Friday afternoon? Good luck Bob Knott H380
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Chuck Beazell
A Recommendation
Interesting string of comments - but unfortunatly none of them shed light on your question regarding possible 12V only gensets. I also decided that the best solution for keeping up with my electrical needs was a small 12V only genset. Almost all of my power requirments are 12v DC and the few things that are 110v can be driven by my inverter. Note that I do not have air conditioning but when I'm racing at night my boat draws an average of 10 amps - so I do eat up the power. I found 2 good solution for these types of gensets. The best one is made by Balmar. They make a range of units that can charge batterys and make water. I considered the low end model which could put out ~ 120amps if I remember correctly. I have a friend that has one of their top end units - he and his wife are cruising in mexico and they are very happy with it. I decided to purchase a genset made by Ample Power. It also puts out ~ 150 Amps. Its not as sophisticated as the Balmar unit but it was much less expensive. It also requires more knoledge to install. My recommendation is --- If you are good with installation and mechanics and you are on a tight budget - purchase the Ample power unit. If you are not on a tight budget and you want the easier package deal - purchase the Balmar unit. I'm not an expert on gensets but I was quite pleased to see how little Deisel my genset uses - this was a plesant surprise after years of using the main engine. An additional note: These things can generate a lot of heat - so make sure you have good veltalation and can vent the heat outside the boat - otherwise yoou will need to run the Air conditioner to deal with the heat from the genset - given that I spend most of my time in San Francisco bay - I welcome the heat from the Genset -- But if I were in tropical climits I would put in bigger fans for the genset locker. Good luck!
Interesting string of comments - but unfortunatly none of them shed light on your question regarding possible 12V only gensets. I also decided that the best solution for keeping up with my electrical needs was a small 12V only genset. Almost all of my power requirments are 12v DC and the few things that are 110v can be driven by my inverter. Note that I do not have air conditioning but when I'm racing at night my boat draws an average of 10 amps - so I do eat up the power. I found 2 good solution for these types of gensets. The best one is made by Balmar. They make a range of units that can charge batterys and make water. I considered the low end model which could put out ~ 120amps if I remember correctly. I have a friend that has one of their top end units - he and his wife are cruising in mexico and they are very happy with it. I decided to purchase a genset made by Ample Power. It also puts out ~ 150 Amps. Its not as sophisticated as the Balmar unit but it was much less expensive. It also requires more knoledge to install. My recommendation is --- If you are good with installation and mechanics and you are on a tight budget - purchase the Ample power unit. If you are not on a tight budget and you want the easier package deal - purchase the Balmar unit. I'm not an expert on gensets but I was quite pleased to see how little Deisel my genset uses - this was a plesant surprise after years of using the main engine. An additional note: These things can generate a lot of heat - so make sure you have good veltalation and can vent the heat outside the boat - otherwise yoou will need to run the Air conditioner to deal with the heat from the genset - given that I spend most of my time in San Francisco bay - I welcome the heat from the Genset -- But if I were in tropical climits I would put in bigger fans for the genset locker. Good luck!
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