A fairly cheap alternative if your boat doesn't have installed Central Air AND you don't want to climb over a companion way mounted A/C. We love this-- so far! Today is the big test to see how cool it keeps the boat during the day. http://www.homedepot.com/Featured-Products-Cooling-Air-Conditioners/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbtcd/R-202051352/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 It cooled the boat down last evening from 94 to 78 in less than 30 minutes. No condensate to worry about unless the recycle tank gets full. Very easy to move around.
Lance,
I see you don't have to climb over the companionway for this, but don't you need to climb around it inside the boat? Where did you put it? If it fits under the dinette table, that would keep it out of the way.
I've got a buddy who uses a standard window A/C and he sits it on the deck over the mid-deck hatch behind the mast. He came up with a canvas cover to enclose it. Works fine. Nothing inside the boat to work around and no unit in the companionway to crawl over.
Roc,
It does take up a small bit of space at the base of the companion way steps. We move it left or right depending on if we're staying or leaving the boat. There is room to go into the galley, aft berth, head and up the steps. I'll get images this evening. I'm making a new lower crib board to fir the exhaust hose outlet. Not the perfect arrangement; but, it really is more cost effective and offers options that an installed unit doesn't. Long term, I'd love to go the installed route. Unfortunately the current economy doesn't allow that.
Lance,
I just had an idea...does it fit inside the hanging locker, just behind the Nav table? Probably not with the way the opening is already cut, but maybe modifications might make it fit there. Curious if that would work
Probably. However, it would still have to exhaust outside and the output vent would need to have a place to go.
Quote from: Roc on June 22, 2011, 01:27:00 PM
Lance,
I just had an idea...does it fit inside the hanging locker, just behind the Nav table? Probably not with the way the opening is already cut, but maybe modifications might make it fit there. Curious if that would work
That's where I installed my Cruise Aire 16k BTU unit.
Ok. Outside temp yesterday was 93. Inside temp with V-berth and aft cabin shut off was 78. So, it passed our requirement!
Quote from: Lance Jones on June 23, 2011, 05:52:10 AM
Ok. Outside temp yesterday was 93. Inside temp with V-berth and aft cabin shut off was 78. So, it passed our requirement!
Will a Honda 2000 run this AC?
Where is you drain? I assume the bilge?
I have the same setup and have racked brain looking for best location. Ideally, under the navigation station but most units are too tall and.....exhaust is too far from port light. Keep mine under table and run exhaust thru starboard port light using 6" insulated duct. Condensation drains to bilge. The Haier CPRB08XCJ is one that will fit but the exhaust is still a problem. Its hot on gulf coast.....would like to see a long thread on this topic as $2k for marine air is not gonna happen. Ideas???
I've had it running for over 2 days now and have not had a single drop to drain from the condensate tank (Humidity is 0ver 95%). It has a simple screw cap that will drain the tank if needed. The system uses the condensate tank to cool the a/c motor so there is little if any accumulation.
We keep ours at the foot of the companion way and route the exhaust up the side of the steps and out through a new crib board I'm fabricating. Easy to get around it. So far, it's been a dream. I'll take pictures tonight.
Uh, oh. Reversed the intake and output and now Atlanta is 10 degrees cooler today. :rolling
What a machine! :thumb:
That is too funny Lance. :clap :think
Ralph
Here are the images of the A/C.
Bottom image is the roughed out, new crib board with exhaust outlet.
So did you live aboard last summer in Atlanta with no A/C?
I can not imagine that this would be possible.
Idea for you. Can you tie into the blower hose in the builge ?
Exodus,
No we didn't. Last year we used our Cruiseair in hatch and a window mount A/C in the companion way. This is way cooler an only running one A/C cuts the power usage.
Mtullier,
Interesting idea. However 1) I'd have to do some more routing of the hose and maybe cut a piece I wouldn't be able to hide when we do sell the boat and 2) the blower hose is a much smaller diameter than what they recommend. Good idea though.
A week since we purchased update:
1) Awesome A/C
2) Found that when you unscrew the drain cap, there is actually a rubber stopper you need to pull to drain condensate. Even after operating continuously (almost), very little drained out this morning when I realized there was ANOTHER plug.
3) Even in mid-90 degree heat - it keeps the cabin around hi 702 low 80s.
4) Crib Board made to mount exhaust was an easy do project. While it is a tight squeeze when going up the steps, it isn't bad compared to climbing over a companion way mounted window a/c!
5) Less power use than last year with better cooling.
6) We actually sleep UNDER the covers not on top of them.
&) I should have slept at that Holiday Inn Express sooner!
Lance,
I have a slightly larger Dilonghi unit which I use to cool my home office at the peak of summer. It has a 4" exhaust hose. I have a Nicro solar vent in the forward hatch. Pretty sure it is 4". I'd need to measure when back on the boat, but why not run the exhaust up through one of your deck vents? In my case if I could exhaust through the forward hatch and set the unit on the floor in the vberth it would not be in way at the companion way steps. Now I'm curious as to which draws more amps. My portable Dilonghi unit or my installed marine unit. I just might need to drag my portable to the boat soon and see which one cool better for less.
Quote from: Lance Jones on June 28, 2011, 06:09:32 AM
A week since we purchased update:
1) Awesome A/C
2) Found that when you unscrew the drain cap, there is actually a rubber stopper you need to pull to drain condensate. Even after operating continuously (almost), very little drained out this morning when I realized there was ANOTHER plug.
3) Even in mid-90 degree heat - it keeps the cabin around hi 702 low 80s.
4) Crib Board made to mount exhaust was an easy do project. While it is a tight squeeze when going up the steps, it isn't bad compared to climbing over a companion way mounted window a/c!
5) Less power use than last year with better cooling.
6) We actually sleep UNDER the covers not on top of them.
&) I should have slept at that Holiday Inn Express sooner!
Lance
Does it cool the entire inside area with all doors open? (V-Berth-Main Cabin and Qtr Berth)
With unit standing by the stairs, what is the temperature in the V-Berth and Aft Cabin?
As we now use the aft cabin for storage, that stays closed. However, we do leave the v-berth open. Yesterday the outside temp was in the mid-90s. Inside temp was 80. On our boat in the summer when it is below 82 in the cabin, with fans on, it is very comfortable.
Lance,
Will a Honda 2000 generator run this ac unit?
Thanks,
Steven