I'm about to ditch my carry on AC for a built in unit. Most all C-30s are using a 12000btu unit. Would there be any disadvantage to using a 16000btu unit? I am a full time liveaboard in South AL where it gets HOT. I also plan to take the AC with me if I get a bigger boat later on.
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Eric
never enough btu's
I installed the 16K btu by mermaid last summer. You can never get enough btu's in a hot climate. I decided to do it when I learned that the price and size differential was nominal between the 12k and 16k units. The c30 is not insulated real well, it still takes a lot of work for the unit to cool a hot boat in the summer. In a home you don't want too big a unit since it will cool the house too fast and not adequately reduce the humidity. On a boat, with poor insulation, the ac will still blow for hours to cool it down and will greatly reduce the humidity, even with the big unit. My suggestion is get the most btu's you can afford and have the space to accomodate.
I installed the 16K btu by mermaid last summer. You can never get enough btu's in a hot climate. I decided to do it when I learned that the price and size differential was nominal between the 12k and 16k units. The c30 is not insulated real well, it still takes a lot of work for the unit to cool a hot boat in the summer. In a home you don't want too big a unit since it will cool the house too fast and not adequately reduce the humidity. On a boat, with poor insulation, the ac will still blow for hours to cool it down and will greatly reduce the humidity, even with the big unit. My suggestion is get the most btu's you can afford and have the space to accomodate.
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Harvey
air conditioner install
I am about to do the same thing on my c-30. My thoughts are 16000 btu's . Where do you intend to mount the unit? I would be interested in seeing your install as I will be doing mine myself. Maybe be could exchange ideas or maybe even labor. If you would like , my email is hwc117@bellsouth.net
I am about to do the same thing on my c-30. My thoughts are 16000 btu's . Where do you intend to mount the unit? I would be interested in seeing your install as I will be doing mine myself. Maybe be could exchange ideas or maybe even labor. If you would like , my email is hwc117@bellsouth.net
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Chip
Thanks Eric
That's what I figured. I didn't want to drop $2000+ on a new AC and it still be 85 in the boat. My carry on does that.
That's what I figured. I didn't want to drop $2000+ on a new AC and it still be 85 in the boat. My carry on does that.
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Chip
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Harvey
My current location
My current location is hcunningham@cellularsouth.net , the other is at my home.
My current location is hcunningham@cellularsouth.net , the other is at my home.
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Eric Ludin
Mine is in the closet
By the way, I installed my unit in the starboard closet. I built a shelf for the unit. Because there is no access to the bilge, I bought the condensator which sucks up the condensation from the unit and throws it out with the cooling water. I vented the unit through the wall of the closet into the cabin and another vent into the v-berth. I also ran small ductwork into the nav table and have a vent blowing into the galley. I don't think that was worth the effort since not much air passes through the small ductwork. Many people install their unit in the port cockpit locker. I would've but was concerned about the distance the air would need to travel to reach the v-berth. Others install their unit under the v-berth. I was concerned about the pounding the unit would take up there. So putting it in the closet was a compromise. I had to give up the closet and there is extra noise associated with having the unit in the cabin. The noise doesn't bother me and the unit cools very well.
By the way, I installed my unit in the starboard closet. I built a shelf for the unit. Because there is no access to the bilge, I bought the condensator which sucks up the condensation from the unit and throws it out with the cooling water. I vented the unit through the wall of the closet into the cabin and another vent into the v-berth. I also ran small ductwork into the nav table and have a vent blowing into the galley. I don't think that was worth the effort since not much air passes through the small ductwork. Many people install their unit in the port cockpit locker. I would've but was concerned about the distance the air would need to travel to reach the v-berth. Others install their unit under the v-berth. I was concerned about the pounding the unit would take up there. So putting it in the closet was a compromise. I had to give up the closet and there is extra noise associated with having the unit in the cabin. The noise doesn't bother me and the unit cools very well.
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Chip
Can't loose my closet!
I think I'm going to install it in the cockpit locker. Since I'm a liveaboard, I can't give up any closet space. I do hope there is enough airflow to the V berth since that's where I sleep. What temp does your boat stay on hot days, Eric? My carry on works great at night, but on 90+ days it's pretty warm down below. I'm hoping for sub 80 daytime temps after the new AC.
I think I'm going to install it in the cockpit locker. Since I'm a liveaboard, I can't give up any closet space. I do hope there is enough airflow to the V berth since that's where I sleep. What temp does your boat stay on hot days, Eric? My carry on works great at night, but on 90+ days it's pretty warm down below. I'm hoping for sub 80 daytime temps after the new AC.
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Eric
Will cool the boat
My unit cools the boat well. I can get it to 78 or less in the middle of a hot day. The air blows 90% of the time during the day. It did help to put a tarp over the boom covering some of the cabin. By cutting direct sunlight onto the cabin roof you can help the ac dramatically. I would think you'll have sufficient airflow to the v-berth for sleeping. I would think it will be hot up there during the day since the size of the duct work and the distance may result in a lot of cool air loss.
My unit cools the boat well. I can get it to 78 or less in the middle of a hot day. The air blows 90% of the time during the day. It did help to put a tarp over the boom covering some of the cabin. By cutting direct sunlight onto the cabin roof you can help the ac dramatically. I would think you'll have sufficient airflow to the v-berth for sleeping. I would think it will be hot up there during the day since the size of the duct work and the distance may result in a lot of cool air loss.
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Chip
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