Looking for info on a portable ac unit for my 2005 33. Most likely for the salon hatch.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Marine Air conditioner
- Thread starter mckenzie1955
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AC on boats
If you are just going to spend your time at the dock then AC makes sense. Well not really in a 33' boat but lots of folks seem to want one. If you want to sail and have AC then you are going to need a BIG genset.
I'm a live aboard and do not recommend AC due to it not being available unless I'm at the dock. Better, I've found, are sun screens for the boat. These are easily made and can lower the temp significantly. They require no power and if you plan ahead can actually provide fresh water for showers and drinking. They also allow you to keep the hatches open in the rain.
You will no doubt go out an buy an AC unit anyway so prepare yourself to add an additional 30 amp circuit to run it, plum the condensate to somewhere, step over it EVERY time you want to go below, listen to it instead of other stuff, but....
It will be worth it to be able to sit at the dock and watch the other boats go out....
If you are just going to spend your time at the dock then AC makes sense. Well not really in a 33' boat but lots of folks seem to want one. If you want to sail and have AC then you are going to need a BIG genset.
I'm a live aboard and do not recommend AC due to it not being available unless I'm at the dock. Better, I've found, are sun screens for the boat. These are easily made and can lower the temp significantly. They require no power and if you plan ahead can actually provide fresh water for showers and drinking. They also allow you to keep the hatches open in the rain.
You will no doubt go out an buy an AC unit anyway so prepare yourself to add an additional 30 amp circuit to run it, plum the condensate to somewhere, step over it EVERY time you want to go below, listen to it instead of other stuff, but....
It will be worth it to be able to sit at the dock and watch the other boats go out....
You can do something like this but as Bill said, it has it's drawbacks, the most obvious being the need to store it when you want to go sailing. If that doesn't bother you and you want to use it at anchor, that is also possible with the use of a small genset such as the Honda 2000. Both of which will add to your comfort level at the expense of some objectionable ambient noise and compared with a permanent install, will save you some money.
There are also DC powered units available which obviate the need for AC power but create a substantial DC load and huge battery bank which probably isn't practical for you.
Then there are the folks who use a house-style window AC which can create lots of enemies both at the dock and on the hook and can "wake the dead".
Another option is a portable room A/C unit. This is an enclosed unit that sits inside the cabin and uses a 4" hose to exaust hot air and condensation. These units come with wheels which may be removed or kept for easy moving around. They are pretty quiet but not as a efficient as a window unit as some heat and humidity escapes back into the cabin before being exausted. They do come in different cooling capacities from 7,000 btu to 14,000 btu and may range in price from $299 to $550. I would suggest you go for the smaller unit that does an adequate job in your geographic area and for your boat size. In Florida I'm sure the 14,000 btu would be my choice but in your area you may be able to do with less. I have never experienced short-cycling on a boat A/C down here but perhaps up north to big a unit may cool to fast and cycle off before removing humidity. All portable units have a drawback and that is air circulation. They will cool the area they are located in and will cycle off before cooling other compartments. The use of fans helps some but not entirely. Also remeber the smaller the unit the easier it would be to power it with a portable generator.
Depends on use
[FONT="]For me it's a matter of how often the a/c will be used. My experience has been no more than four weekends a year. Even in the summer with an evening thunderstorm cool down, an a/c is not needed. Purchased a small 5000BTU window unit for the companionway. It is very light and movable. When sailing it is kept inside next to the companionway and out of the way. Most of the time the a/c is not on the boat. It is easy to lift and move. And it can be powered with a 1200-watt generator if you don't mind bothering the neighbors.[/FONT]
[FONT="]For me it's a matter of how often the a/c will be used. My experience has been no more than four weekends a year. Even in the summer with an evening thunderstorm cool down, an a/c is not needed. Purchased a small 5000BTU window unit for the companionway. It is very light and movable. When sailing it is kept inside next to the companionway and out of the way. Most of the time the a/c is not on the boat. It is easy to lift and move. And it can be powered with a 1200-watt generator if you don't mind bothering the neighbors.[/FONT]
Fans
A much more energy friendly way to "get cool" on a boat is to use fans. You can get 12 volt or battery powered ones that are both cheap and effective. Even a big window fan run by an inverter is possible on a boat your size and it will not break the battery bank.
A much more energy friendly way to "get cool" on a boat is to use fans. You can get 12 volt or battery powered ones that are both cheap and effective. Even a big window fan run by an inverter is possible on a boat your size and it will not break the battery bank.
It think mckenzie must have his own good reasons for wanting an air conditioner for his boat. Living here in Florida's west coast where high temperatures and humidity can be overbearing in the summer, I kind of respect each person's tolerance for discomfort without questions. Fans do not get rid of humidity but they are very useful in helping a portable A/C unit circulate air. I agree that if the number of uses will be 3 to 4 times a year a window unit on the companionway would probably be the best choice but should that prove to be much of an inconvinience a contained portable unit vented to the outside could be considered. I would not recommend the Carry-On as it is heavy and a real task to install and remove. I would not want to pay almost $900 and have to work that hard. An RV A/C unit is another option but that would entail removing the salon hatch and doing a permanent installation. As far as operating an A/C unit in a marina from shorepower it does not make any more noise than halyards clanking and waves lapping the hull. When using a portable air cooled generator at anchor be considerate of others and anchor away and downwind from them. I agree it must be highly anoying to be sweating in your bunk and having to hear the generator from someone you know is sleeping quite comfy. We run a water cooled, ducted, 12,500 btu unit and in very hot days it can barely keep up. We also run it some days at the dock just to remove humidity from the boat and combat mildew. It seems everyone down here is "in the same boat"
JIm;
I bought my H376 from California and she goes have a working A/C unit in it. I live in the Pacific North West so... I do not need the A/C unit.
If you are interested I can sell it to you, send some photos...just let me know.
Gabor
Here on the Gulf coast, an AC unit is almost mandatory for sleeping at the slip during the summer months. Too many mosquitoes and too much humidity. I’ve used a 5000 BTU unit in the companionway of the 34 and it cannot keep up when there is sun shining on the boat. At night it can freeze you.. I kept it wrapped in a heavy towel in the aft cabin.. Still a pain and keeps you from enjoying the cockpit after sundown. One night I decided to go with the built in unit. Two mosquitoes came on board and one asked the other if they should drag me home.. The other one said “Nope! The big ones will take him away!” I have a 12,500 BTU unit I installed 15 years ago and have been very happy with it. The raw water pump sounds like it will need to be replaced this season, and I have had to replace the control unit due to a lightning strike.. but no other problems. The unit has reverse cycle heating so it gets used quite a bit all year long.
A Hunter 33 has amble space for a built-in marine AC. I installed one myself 'cos I don't like moving around domestic portable set nor window units. I have a 326. Whenever I stay overnight at dock, its AC time. Keeps pest out as well.
Ken - about the unit you installed in your 326
I also have a 326 and, although in Long Island we only need AC 30 nights a year, the "first mate" would appreciate it if I were to indulge. Would make a great Mothers Day present, don't you think? Anyway, can you tell me what system you put in and the process to install? Thanks.
I also have a 326 and, although in Long Island we only need AC 30 nights a year, the "first mate" would appreciate it if I were to indulge. Would make a great Mothers Day present, don't you think
? Anyway, can you tell me what system you put in and the process to install? Thanks.
dmac, mine is Cruisair Marine Aircon model: Zephyr ZF12CK/1 12,000BTU 220VAC comes with seawater cool pump and hoses and complete kit for DIY. One good thing about H326 is cabinetry already prepared for AC ducting. Cut-out behind galley drawers. I install cool air outlet at flat space just left of the microwave (uses round duct i.s.o. rectangle phlegm box that came with the kit). Bought a splitter box to have 2nd cool air outlet in rear berth. AC installed in large space below starboard seat in cabin. Seawater cooling pump at bilge area just ahead of engine compartment. Shared water intake with Toilet inlet thru-hull. Works great no issue using toilet with AC running. Cooling water discharge about 18" above waterline just below microwave area. AC Control switches install jusr below the LRG gas safety switch on side of cabinet where the bin is. If you give your email I can send pictures. At same time I install an Adler Barbour Coldmachine. Now I gets AC with cold beer. Now that's life !!
No Lugable
Those Lugable A/C units are no good. They don't cool enough and are a pain to cart in and out or where ever you pu them. Use a regular portable A/C unit and put in the campanionway or put in central air. Walking over one in the campanionway is a hasltle as well.
Those Lugable A/C units are no good. They don't cool enough and are a pain to cart in and out or where ever you pu them. Use a regular portable A/C unit and put in the campanionway or put in central air. Walking over one in the campanionway is a hasltle as well.
I have Hunter 320. The way you installed AC sounds very practical. Would appreciate if you could send me photos.
Regards,
Selim Abidovic
e-mail address: dabidovic@msn.com
Regards,
Selim Abidovic
e-mail address: dabidovic@msn.com
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