Window air conditioner placement?

[PCP777]

So the Texas summer is steaming up and it's finally too hot to hang out down below my Catalina 25 TR/FK with no pop top at night. I was talking to some guys on the docks and they said to go buy a portable window unit and just plug it in to the dock which sounded good. So I picked up a Frigidaire 6500 BTU for $149. It's dimensions are:

Depth (Inches): 15.5
Height (Inches):12.5
Width (Inches): 18.5
Weight (lbs.): 49.0

So I can either try to aim it in the front hatch but I notice that the box says to not put it on it's side so maybe it's best if it stays level. So I can get a board to go across the seats of the cockpit to place the unit on and just have it aim in at the foot of the companion way and just step over it when I need to go outside. I wonder what the length is of the foot of my entrance way? Anyways, it was the smallest I can find.


Anyone have any advice/experience on the best way to place this unit?

 

[lingarner]

I have been in the process of doing the same thing, and I have done it 2 ways. I have placed it in the companionway, and it worked great. Plenty of air going to the compressor, just like it would if it were in a window. then I took it a step forward and placed it between the cabin and cockpit locker with a bilge blower sucking out the heat out. Both ways work, but i suggest just making a bracket to hold it out on the companionway. No worries at all.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Companionway air conditioner...

on my last boat I built a set of drop boards that supported a 5000 BTU room air conditioner. Attached are photos of the installation with and without the a/c unit in place.

The upper section has screened openings with plexiglass inserts and mates with both the a/c holder lower assembly and a solid drop board for when you don't need the a/c but want ventilation.

A number of others have used this design with success on a number of different boats. It is easily a weekend project from raw wood to finished painted product.

 

[Benny]

6.5 K btus for the the cabin of a 25' for near 100 degree temps is what the doctor ordered. I noticed the picture has electronic controls; it is OK for shorepower operation, but for running from a small portable genset the controls may create undesirable cut outs when cycling. If the width of 18.5" fits the witdth of you companion way at the bottom you are in business. It should be level from side to side with a moderate tilt front to back so condensation falls towards the cockpit. The next issue is noise, make sure it is leveled and mounted securely or it will rattle like a cheap motel unit. If you need to use an extension cord make sure it is of adequate gauge. The next issue is air circulation; the companionway provides the most efficient location for the cabin but if you have a separate V-Berth then some fans may help circulate air to it. Mounting window units on cabin hatches bring on a set of problems with air circulation and recycling being just two of them. You will want to able to continue to run A/C even if it rains so consider that when designing temporary installation. You may build a wood cutout to hold the unit and fit in the companionway tracks. Make sure the hatch lip overlaps the board to keep rain out.

 

[jrpla]

Companionway air conditioner...

Here is how my AC looks like;

Is a 6 btu on a 32 beneteau, it cools great

Recently I change the wood boards and have then made in plastic.

In the picture I have some water in the front but this was fixed by simply making small holes in the back AC cover to remove condensation water.

As Benny said is important to have a slight inclination to the back so water falls on the cockpit easily.

Is a little tricky to get in the boat since you have to jump over the AC but is great once you get inside, sometimes this window units cools way better that a regular marine AC with less noise.

I also have a timer on mine so it turns on at the middle of the week and on Fridays ready for when I get to the boat.

 

[PCP777]

Thanks all for the responses, I have a much better idea how I'm going to deploy my unit now.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Not to try to hijack this thread, but I've got a unit that I was thinking about using as well and it seems like the concensus here is that it is better to place the unit in the companionway versus above the cabin and trying to direct the air down through a hatch. I can certainly see that this method would be much more efficient, but I just wonder about the inconvenience of the placement in the hatch. I noticed on my unit that the cool air comes out near the top of the front of the unit and can be projected forward or up and I imagine a lot is lost trying to deflect it down.

Anyone that has mounted on top of the cabin redirecting the cool air down a hatch want to comment on how well it works or the efficiency/inefficiency you experience with that method?

thanks!

 

[Dan Johnson]

Captn Jon...

I solved the inconvenience climb-over problem by locating the center of gravity side-to-side & front-to-back and mounting a large handle like used to close garage doors at that exact spot on the top of the outer case. It made lifiting the a/c unit up and to the rear so the mounting plate it sat on could be also lifted off the drop boards and moved out of the way.

The unit was mounted at the lowest possible point in the companionway mounting boards, making the step over into the cockpit an easy one onced the a/c unit was moved rearward. The cord on the unit was long enought to permit it to still be running when doing this.

Benny is right about the rearward tilt being needed to drain the condensate. I found about a 5 degree down angle worked well. I did have to support the rear of the horizontal mounting board with a folding leg to support the weight, something not immediately evident until setting it up.

 

[PCP777]

I solved the inconvenience climb-over problem by locating the center of gravity side-to-side & front-to-back and mounting a large handle like used to close garage doors at that exact spot on the top of the outer case. It made lifiting the a/c unit up and to the rear so the mounting plate it sat on could be also lifted off the drop boards and moved out of the way.

The unit was mounted at the lowest possible point in the companionway mounting boards, making the step over into the cockpit an easy one onced the a/c unit was moved rearward. The cord on the unit was long enought to permit it to still be running when doing this.

Benny is right about the rearward tilt being needed to drain the condensate. I found about a 5 degree down angle worked well. I did have to support the rear of the horizontal mounting board with a folding leg to support the weight, something not immediately evident until setting it up.

How did you mount the handle? Do you have pics?

 

[PCP777]

Not to try to hijack this thread, but I've got a unit that I was thinking about using as well and it seems like the concensus here is that it is better to place the unit in the companionway versus above the cabin and trying to direct the air down through a hatch. I can certainly see that this method would be much more efficient, but I just wonder about the inconvenience of the placement in the hatch. I noticed on my unit that the cool air comes out near the top of the front of the unit and can be projected forward or up and I imagine a lot is lost trying to deflect it down.

Anyone that has mounted on top of the cabin redirecting the cool air down a hatch want to comment on how well it works or the efficiency/inefficiency you experience with that method?

thanks!

That's a good question, not a hijack at all.

 

[JIM B]

In Arizona we rely on A/C quite a lot this time of year. The most popular way sailboats use a window A/C is to put it in the companionway. However, I prefer to set it in the bow hatch and partially seal it with either a towel or specially cut piece of canvas. To make it easier to carry the unit I use a racheting strap as a handle so I can carry it with one hand. The strap also holds a piece of 1/4" foam on the bottom to reduce noice and eliminate scratches.
The reason I don't like putting it in the companion way is it is a bear to step over and the exhaust is so hot it makes using the cockpit impossible.
Additional fans really help make the boat more comfortable as well.
That being said, I just bought a new A/C that I can leave inside and not have to set up or stow. I will put it on the boat this coming weekend so haven't tried it yet. Other people at the marina have had good luck with it though. It will also run off a Honda 2000 generator.
http://www.qualitymatters.com/SNO-13000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-ARC-13S-p/qmarc-13s.htm
Good Luck!

 

[Mark Major]

How did you mount the handle? Do you have pics?

I removed the cover and attached a cable loop to a foot of the compressor closest to the center. This just so happened to be the perfect center of balance. I ran the cable through the housing vent fins so there was no drilling required.

Mine is a Haier HWF05XC7-L 5200btu good for 100-150 sq ft room weighing 37 lbs measuring under 18x13x12, costing @ $100 at Wal-mart and runs on a 2000w generator.

 

[PCP777]

In Arizona we rely on A/C quite a lot this time of year. The most popular way sailboats use a window A/C is to put it in the companionway. However, I prefer to set it in the bow hatch and partially seal it with either a towel or specially cut piece of canvas. To make it easier to carry the unit I use a racheting strap as a handle so I can carry it with one hand. The strap also holds a piece of 1/4" foam on the bottom to reduce noice and eliminate scratches.
The reason I don't like putting it in the companion way is it is a bear to step over and the exhaust is so hot it makes using the cockpit impossible.
Additional fans really help make the boat more comfortable as well.
That being said, I just bought a new A/C that I can leave inside and not have to set up or stow. I will put it on the boat this coming weekend so haven't tried it yet. Other people at the marina have had good luck with it though. It will also run off a Honda 2000 generator.
http://www.qualitymatters.com/SNO-13000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-ARC-13S-p/qmarc-13s.htm
Good Luck!

One strap or two? I'm not picturing how this would work. Neither did the guys at West marine. I think I want to try to make it work on the front hatch first and having a handle will be a much safer way to carry it up there.

 

[JIM B]

Just one strap. Wraped around the a/c first is one direction, then the other. Like ribbon on a Christmas package. The rachet allows you to keep it tight after the strap stretches.

 

[PCP777]

Just one strap. Wraped around the a/c first is one direction, then the other. Like ribbon on a Christmas package. The rachet allows you to keep it tight after the strap stretches.

Cool thank you, what length ratchet strap? I'll pick one up today at Lowes on the way to the boat.

 

[JIM B]

STRAP LENGTH should be at least 2x a/c perimiter. In other words, get a long one and cut off some of the excess. I think you will find it makes a reasonably good handle and you can tuck the cord under it when carrying. Also, if you use a towel or canvass cover it can tuck in under the strap. Then the hatch is sealed and the exhaust at the back of the a/c is still clear.
Good Luck

 

[PCP777]

STRAP LENGTH should be at least 2x a/c perimiter. In other words, get a long one and cut off some of the excess. I think you will find it makes a reasonably good handle and you can tuck the cord under it when carrying. Also, if you use a towel or canvass cover it can tuck in under the strap. Then the hatch is sealed and the exhaust at the back of the a/c is still clear.
Good Luck

Thank you. Going to try to fire it up in about an hour.

 

[JIM B]

Don't Forget Gfi

Don't forget to make sure you are GFI protected. The original post sounds like possibly th a/c will be plugged in to the dock rather than your boat. If that is the case you may want to get a GFI pigtail at Lowes also. I have been suprised to learn the power pedestals on many docks do not have a GFI breaker.

 

[Island Girl 34]

Jim,

That is a very interesting unit indeed. I would appreciate hearing about how it worked for you after you check it out this weekend. I have been looking at the larger, stand up type internal units but this one looks like to would fit much better below on a boat. I too plan to power mine on a Honda 2000 when at anchor. Let us know how it goes for you...

Ken

In Arizona we rely on A/C quite a lot this time of year. The most popular way sailboats use a window A/C is to put it in the companionway. However, I prefer to set it in the bow hatch and partially seal it with either a towel or specially cut piece of canvas. To make it easier to carry the unit I use a racheting strap as a handle so I can carry it with one hand. The strap also holds a piece of 1/4" foam on the bottom to reduce noice and eliminate scratches.
The reason I don't like putting it in the companion way is it is a bear to step over and the exhaust is so hot it makes using the cockpit impossible.
Additional fans really help make the boat more comfortable as well.
That being said, I just bought a new A/C that I can leave inside and not have to set up or stow. I will put it on the boat this coming weekend so haven't tried it yet. Other people at the marina have had good luck with it though. It will also run off a Honda 2000 generator.
http://www.qualitymatters.com/SNO-13000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-ARC-13S-p/qmarc-13s.htm
Good Luck!

 

[Dan Johnson]

For those with narrow companionways...

I just read an ad for window a/c units and noticed that they now have ones made for casement window mounting. It looks like the standard unit turned on its side.

The handle over the center of gravity on the a/c unit I used was bolted to the case with big shoulder washers on the inside to spread the load. The metal cover was easily removed to do so.