Air Con

[Tugw]

Any of our Med members got A/C installed on thier boats? I was thinking of fitting it but need some recomendations as to type/model,ect. (no im not in the UK).

Thanks Troops /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[ccscott49]

I have just about to order a 12k btu, unit, two companies are in the frame, one with a kit with cool only for £1981 complete with ducting grills etc. for two cabins and one with cool and heat for £2200 both inc VA, which you wouldnt need to pay in Egypt of course. Have a look at the nauticool website, for their Zephyr kits and at Advance yachting for their kits. In the states they are cheaper, but remember you have to ask for the 22ov 50hz ones, which are normally more expensive, but still very cheap compared to European prices. Theres also a couple of manufacturers in Italy, but I found their prices a little high.
I do know AC in the meddy makes life considerably more comfortable in the marinas. But find windscoops are a good ally at anchor, plus they are cheaper to
run!

I lied, those prices are including shipping to Spain, delete 130 from each!

 

[Whitelighter]

Those prices seem very cheap. What is involved with installations?

 

[Tugw]

The windscoop idea seems OK,But would it be worth looking at one of those portable AC units? Do they come in 12v? Im affraid Google is not a good friend to me /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I didnt really want to start cutting out holes and running trunking,I was thinking more of a "room"AC if you catch me drift

 

[KevB]

I have a friend who installs air con on boats. He is very reasonably priced and the installation is so discreet you'll not notice it's there.


(See attached pic of his excellent work)


Let me know if you want his number /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tugw]

Wont need a radar reflector with that then? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ccscott49]

OK, there are portable AC's but I've never seen a 12volt one. But of course doesnt mean there arent any, sure there are.
They do drag a lot of energy, especially on start up.
There are heaps of portable mains ones and I have a marine one, watercooled, which has a pump and pipes you hang out a port hole, which is ideal for moving around.
They also make a "hatch one" which funnily enough fits in your hatch opening, nauticool do those, but they are also mains.

 

[ccscott49]

Well, you have to, (after deciding how big a unit you want):-
1) Find a suitable place to install it.
2) Run a mains cable to where you are going to install it.
3) Either install two sea cocks in the hull, one below and one above the waterline, or plumb into existing through hulls.
4) Install the water cooling pump, mains cabling to it as well.
5) Install trunking and grills in/to the cabins you wish to cool, along with vents to allow air to pass back to the cooling unit.

That's about it for an air trunked A/C unit.

Different things for compressor unit and separate cooling units.

If I was doing the whole boat, I would go with smaller seperate units in each cabin, or one large compressor unit and separate cooling units in each cabin.
But with those, no big trunking, just pipes, to carry chilled liquid.

 

[Tugw]

Sounds like if i want to put in a "permanent"unit then there no "easy"fix, i think on reflection the only place i would need one is in the after cabin(as you know,nothing worse than trying to kip in a pool of your own sweat).But then again sitting in the marina at over 30deg C can also make the wheelhouse a horrible place to be.I rekon i need to really think about what i want to achive and then go for the best option.I did look at nauticool website but as im sure youve guessed im not sure what i really want--not yet anyway /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[KevB]

HERE'S a link to some 12v aircon units.

 

[Tugw]

Thanks KevB,But just to be a pain i was tryng to avoid battering the boat full of holes,i was thinking more in the way of a unit to cool the air already in the boat(again-if you catch my drift) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've had 3 boats with a/c in the Med and it's more about what not to do. Firstly make sure that whatever you fit is adequately or oversized for the job. There is nothing worse than having a/c that does'nt do it's job. Secondly, IMHO I would not get individual self contained a/c units for each cabin because they are noisy, vibey and take up storage space. This is especially an issue in cabins where you might like to run the a/c at night. The best systems are separated chilled water systems where the noisy, vibey condenser unit sits in the engine bay and delivers chilled water to small quiet heat exchanger/fan units in each cabin space. Thirdly, the vents out of which the cooled air exits need to be positioned as high as possible. Cold air is denser than warm air and falls to the cabin floor. If the vents are set low, you end up with cold feet and a hot head!
Lastly, get a system which you know can be serviced in the area in which you boat because a/c units need regular maintenance
AFAIK, the best known makes are Cruisair and Condaria

 

[Tugw]

Excellent,thank you,only need to make me mind up as to what i really want to do,i think ill go for cooling the whole boat,no point in half measures

 

[sarabande]

"marine one, watercooled, which has a pump and pipes you hang out a port hole, which is ideal for moving around."

Can you give the name of the manufacturer pls ?

ta!

 

[thefatlady]

Having looked at your Airco link, putting aside their inadequate output, I would be very suspicious of someone who claims a usage in amps per hour and coefficients of performance of between 4+ and 6+.

 

[ccscott49]

I'll get back to you on that! It's on MrB's boat (Paulines other half) and I cant remember the name myself! Sorry.

 

[Salty John]

I'll second Deleted User's comments. I had a Cruisair installed system on my Grand Banks which was superb.
I also had a Carry-on, from Cruisair, on a 35' sail boat in a Texas summer, extremely hot and humid. It coped amazingly well and, at the time, cost me $600. It sat over a hatch, the control panel is inside the boat, the condensate line runs outside. Well thought out piece of kit.

 

[ccscott49]

They look ok, but need to be mounted outside, which is also OK on a caravan, but the price!! Jings! Fair size as well.
I wonder if they are/could be marinised?
Would solve a problem for me at anchor, could use big battery bank at night, when cool needed for kipping, but again, the price!

 

[mjkinch1]

I would second Mikes comments, we have two units, and they are a little noisy, I find it hard to sleep with them on, although SWMBO doesnt mind. One in the master cabin under the bed (hardly used) and one main one in the central area. They are worth their weight in gold when its really hot, but my main one struggles to lower the tempeture that much in the cabin, as there is so much heat or light coming in through teh main windows during the day. At night however it gets freezing!

Its also handy having a genny if you are moored up somewhere quiet so you can get some cool air even just for a short period.

 

[DavidJ]

If you're thinking of DIY then look at
http://mail.veco.net/veco/sito/fai_da_te/eng/ac1.htm
Deleted User is correct but you may have some financial constraints (as I did!)
I fitted a 9k unit under the saloon seat with ducts into the saloon and guest bedroom (impossible to duct from there into main bedroom) I'm in the Costa Brava which is probably cooler than where you are but the sytem works fine and we just keep the bedroom door open at night. If global warming ever does make the Costa Brava warmer (insted of just windier!) then I would fit a second unit in the huge space under the bed.
For me the total cost was about £2500 incl pump and pipes
oh yes I drain my condensate through the shower drain box and not just into the bilge as some ac fitters do.