Targa 40 Aircon Access

[bluetooth]

I am trying to access the a/c unit under the stairs of a Fairline Targa 40. Although it is actually located under the floor I need to remove the bin section first which is where I have a small challenge.

I have unscrewed the 5 retaining screws to release the bin shelf in the stair GRP but it appears silicone sealed into place. Before I try and lever it out can anyone advise if there are anymore screws and its pathway of removal (or can I just levered it forward and out of recess) ?

Many thanks,


ps - I am aware of the smaller second a/c unit in saloon seats

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I can't remember off the top of my head, but if you can wait until tomorrow I've got that bin moulding up in the loft somewhere; if you're stuck I'll dig it out and see if there are any other fittings to remove.

 

[bluetooth]

That's great Jimmy
but .. why do you have a moulding in the loft ?!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

That's great Jimmy
but .. why do you have a moulding in the loft ?!

Those companionway stairs are just a shockingly bad bit of design so I pulled them all out and designed and built a replacement structure, including a bin you can actually use, amongst other things. The originals are in the loft and will go with the boat when it is sold, in case the next owner wants to reinstate them.

I'll have a look for the moulding tomorrow and revert.

 

[bluetooth]

Ah - would interested to see your redesign. Is it on a thread somewhere ?

 

[jrudge]

The AC unit is indeed under that cover.

Mine was just held on with screws so someone or the factory has decided to glue it down.

I doubt it was the factory as you need to get to it regularly to clean out the filter.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Ok, I've had a look - as well as the five screws at the front of the base of the step, there are two more at the rear of the step moulding, one at each side.. As well as all of that the whole thing is bonded in with that pink p38-like filler-glue so you may have to fight it a bit to get it out.

It might very well be that the glue bond has previously been broken when your aircon was installed; that might also be why you have non-oe teak on the stair treads? When I took my stair moulding out, the teak had to come out with it.

Good luck!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Ah - would interested to see your redesign. Is it on a thread somewhere ?

I daresay there was a thread, but I'm equally sure it is now worthless - because all my forum-post pictures were hosted on photobucket and have all now been blocked by their ransom demand. Sorry.

 

[bluetooth]

Ok, I've had a look - as well as the five screws at the front of the base of the step, there are two more at the rear of the step moulding, one at each side.. As well as all of that the whole thing is bonded in with that pink p38-like filler-glue so you may have to fight it a bit to get it out.

It might very well be that the glue bond has previously been broken when your aircon was installed; that might also be why you have non-oe teak on the stair treads? When I took my stair moulding out, the teak had to come out with it.

Good luck!

Jimmy
Any chance of a pic of those of the rear of the moulding?
With those 5 screws out from the underside of the first step the moulding does move a bit
Cheers
Simon

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Jimmy
Any chance of a pic of those of the rear of the moulding?
With those 5 screws out from the underside of the first step the moulding does move a bit
Cheers
Simon

Er no, sorry - it's buried back in the loft again and ... photobucket! It would just be a picture of two screw holes in the back of the moulding, in the extreme corners of the aft-most part of the moulding.

 

[bluetooth]

The AC unit is indeed under that cover.

Mine was just held on with screws so someone or the factory has decided to glue it down.

I doubt it was the factory as you need to get to it regularly to clean out the filter.

Sorry. Just to make sure I am with you. The screws in the floor section under the stairs come out and it lifts up and I can see a/c unit.
It's removing the bin section in the second step that's the issue so an engineer can service unit is problem. The 5 screws under first step come out but the stair section still clings on. JtB may have answer for me but otherwise all ears
Cheers

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Sorry. Just to make sure I am with you. The screws in the floor section under the stairs come out and it lifts up and I can see a/c unit.
It's removing the bin section in the second step that's the issue so an engineer can service unit is problem. The 5 screws under first step come out but the stair section still clings on. JtB may have answer for me but otherwise all ears
Cheers

Thinking about it a bit though - what's the advantage of removing this step? It's not going to give you access to the aircon I don't think, is it? The step is mounted on that laminate-faced plywood that sits on top of the bottom step (the piece through which those five screws go). If you remove the step you still need to remove this plywood panel - and to do that you're going to have to remove the teak from your bottom step (iirc the fixings for the panel are all the way round the perimeter of the panel, downward into the lip of the bottom step moulding, which is part of the floor moulding). On mine, as well as being screwed down with about hundred screws, it was variously siliconed and glued as well.

 

[jrudge]

So you want to remove the steps ?

I used to access the ac just fine with the steps propped up. The filters etc. Some of it will be tight ( I can't remember how tight ) but I don't recall specific access issues any more so than it's a boat and a pita

 

[bluetooth]

So you want to remove the steps ?

I used to access the ac just fine with the steps propped up. The filters etc. Some of it will be tight ( I can't remember how tight ) but I don't recall specific access issues any more so than it's a boat and a pita

Yeh that sounds right. Stair propped up and access through hole where bin recess come out of leaving bottom step in place. I think I might have confused JtB in that the 5 screws were on the undersurface of the bottom step into the bin moulding. This should come out but is stuck by something but I can feel it move. Don't want to lever too hard until I know more. Not sure where the extra screws JtB was alluding too. Once bin moulding out then lifting floor section out (last photo) is easy and access to a/c should be ok.
Cheers
S

 

[jrudge]

I mounted a sub woofer on top of that board .....

 

[bluetooth]

I mounted a sub woofer on top of that board .....

Like the sound of that!

 

[jrudge]

Fusion sub woofer. Big rectangular thing. Worked well inside but did nothing outside!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Fusion sub woofer. Big rectangular thing. Worked well inside but did nothing outside!

Yep; not much point in a big sub in the saloon. Best place for a sub in the cockpit is under the helm seat.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Bluetooth - have you done the deed yet??

 

[bluetooth]

Bluetooth - have you done the deed yet??

This weekend is plan. Any updates on suggestions?