Where to run a/c ducting in an H34?

Sep 19, 2019
32
Hunter 34 Kemah
The old Dometic Cruisaire 12k btu unit was installed in the starboard aft settee (aft dining table bench) with the return air grill on the front of that bench and two 4” supply ducts delivering the cold/warm air at the end of the bench and one from the end of the galley cabinet.

The new unit is a Dometic Turbo 16k btu and capable of delivering far more air - and really needs more ducting to run efficiently. I want to run ducts to the v-berth and quarter berth. I have an idea how it might be run, but wanted to know if anyone has done it.

My idea would require cutting a few holes through the liner and bulkheads along the starboard side. Has anyone done this?
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,103
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
My unit is in the same location.. I have one big outlet but have plans to put another into the vee berth. Haven't gotten there yet … but I wouldn't cut any of the big liner beams since they are structural.. putting holes in the bulkhead is Ok if ya leave some bulkhead on the outside by the hull. My plan is to go through the bulkhead into the head shelves and through to the inside of the vee berth locker to an "eyeball" outlet (4") on the forward top wall of the little locker .. running to the aft cabin is not in my plans since the big (12X6) outlet gets some air back there which is aided by a small fan.
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Jan 24, 2017
670
Hunter 34 Toms River Nj
I did my h34 for years ago.
Did a lot of research and layout for unit and ductwork.
The perfect unit I found was manufactured by mermaid
The M16 16000 btu unit fits perfectly underneath the larger seating area starboard side alongside the hot water heater. It's a tight fit but it will fit.
1) All the wires can be run from the main panel alongside the port water tank through the fiberglass cross beam which are hollow and then into the bildge and then up into the settee area to the unit.
2) Cut the air intake vent thru the side of the settee which will allow good air flow to the unit and also good access to the units air filter.
3) cut 6inch hole through the back wall of the sink cabinet to allow for the main ducting. Note you will have to sacrifice one of the chart tube holders.
4) run the 6 inch duct behind the sink plumbing to the cabinet shelf alongside the sink.
5) go to lowes and 5 get a transition junction box 12" X 12" plus qty of 5 round 4inch conector and 5 dampeners. And qty 1 round 6inch conector. Also get a 4x6 vent and 4x6 vent box.
Cut six inch round hole in the back of the transition junction box for the supply duct and four 4inch round holes for the four supply ducts and one 4inch round holes into the top of the transition junction box. You now have a total of five 4inch supplies now to run the ducting throughout the cabin.
6) run ductwork inside the cubbies underneath the plexiglass storage areas along the cabin. Three supply ducts have to feed the main cabin. run one of the three supply ducts to the corner of the bulkhead main cabin, the second mid ships of the cabin, and the third to the countertop alongside the sink. This will be sufficient to supply the main cabin.
7) supply number four needs to be run though the cabin bulkhead into and through the head shower cabinet. Then into the v berth starboard locker. This will supply the v berth with cool air however I found that the air supply was extremely weak due to the length of the run and had to install an inline duct fan to increase the cfm.
8) run the fifth supply duct behind the stove and into the aft starboard lazarette and cut a hole into the quarter berth bulkhead.
This should have another inline duct fan To increase the cfm.

Note that if you don't have three cabin supplies and one in the v berth along with one in the quarter berth the unit will ice up.
The unit needs to have more then enough supplies and the air filter needs to be clean at all times.

Also note that the unit takes up a lot of power from the main Ac panel. So budgeting your power use is critical, example hot water heater on with your air conditioner along with anything else will trip the breaker. I installed a second panel and shore power supply just for this unit.

This unit works really well, however on really hot and humid days it struggles. Keeps cabin comfortable but can't preform miracles.
Like someone else mentioned sunlight on the decks and no insulation on the boat, the unit can only do some much.
Overall I'm very happy with my unit.
If I could do it again I might want to install a smaller 5k unit in the aft lazarette to use on the really hot days so that the main unit would not have to work so hard.

Hopefully this helps.
 
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Sep 19, 2019
32
Hunter 34 Kemah
Thanks Capt Robbie. That was how I envisioned getting air to the berths. The Dometic Turbo 16000 btu is installed and I read it needs more supply ducts to prevent freeze up. It’s using the three supply ducts from the old 12000 btu unit I removed and yes, it did freeze up! Setting the thermostat at a higher temp and running the fan on high prevents freeze up.

Will definitely run ducts to the berths.