Need a Portable A/C unit

[Zeida]

Hi all… my old and faithful Cruisair Carry-On has finally passed on to a better life. Dometic -makers of the old Cruisairs- has discontinued this product. Only some beat-up used ones are available on the web… I do not want to install any of the super-expensive permanent units on Bando. I am hoping to find one of the new small upright portable units that I can set up INSIDE the boat, rather than on Deck, through the hatch. BUT… I think most of the units need to drain excess moisture -water- to the outside. Can anyone recommend a unit that may need no discharge, or very little? I'm looking for about 8000 BTU's, max. 10,000. Any and ALL comments welcome. Thanks!

[Jdpmus]

Zelda,

A week or so ago there was thread on this forum called CD 25 questions. One of the replies had a website detailing his restoration of his boat. In one of the pictures there was an upright AC unit and he mentioned how he had plumbed and wired it.

His site is:

http://www.adam-waywell.squarespace.com

Click on "Velella" and look at the pics on "new interior". It's the second picture. You might can then PM him for details.

Hope this helps.

[joemerchant]

The only problem with the portable unit is you need twice the cooling power as they use the air inside to cool the condenser and send it outside, thus requiring hot air from the outside to come in to replace the extracted air. Prior to being sold for home use this way, they were considered "spot coolers" primarily used to cool equipment or a small area. I have yet to find any consumer report that is friendly with any of them.

To go on the cheap, the best bet is to use a window unit as a 5000K btu unit will cool about the same as a 12000 BTU portable unit and do a better job at lowering the overall temperature of the boat. These can be installed in the companion way, or possible to build a box to install over a hatch - essentially the same thing you were using.

We have a old Cruisin-Cool that sits iSamsonitenite briefcase that is a proper marine unit and you drop the intake hose over the side of the boat and expel into the sink. Works great, but was a pain to setup each time you wanted to sailAfter

Afer trying everything on the cheap, I probably spent more on trying to fit, adapt, and be happy with a unit, so the consensuscensus has been = the best investment ever made was a proper marine unit, which you should be able to find for about $1500 complete if you shop around.

One of our dock mates had a window unit converted into a marine unit by removcondenserondensor and running tubing through larger coper tubing and refilled with freon. This is essentially how a marine unit works, but he kept the blower and fronmodified modifed the back for marine use. You have to be handy to pull that one off.

I don't think you would be happy with the portable units. I have two (a 12k and 10K) that are sitting in the garage I would give away. They do a fair job of blowing enough cold air to stand in front of while working in the shop, but still less than the 5K BTU window unit in the old shop.

[Jeff and Sarah]

The cost of the built-in system is the installation, not the purchase price. I can't recall what I finally spent installing my unit in my CD33 but it sure added up quickly! That was with a big discount from a supplier who was doing me a favor (he was installing units on all the new boats my Dad was selling at the time) and I did all the work myself. And honestly, the boat is just not big enough to sacrifice that space. I'd sure like to have that closet back now that we have 2 kids to pack for (though Sarah is fine sacrificing some storage for comfort).

I suggest you call Sailor's Exchange in Jacksonville and St Augustine. They usually have a portable unit or two laying around.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Hi all… my old and faithful Cruisair Carry-On has finally passed on to a better life.

Zeida:

I am very sorry to learn of your loss. I am also sorry I was unable to attend the memorial service. I would have reminded you of the day I stepped below into Bandolera II's cabin and was greeted with a blast of cold air in a cabin in which you could hang meat it was so cold.

RIP Cruisair

[joemerchant]

The cost of the built-in system is the installation, not the purchase price. I can't recall what I finally spent installing my unit in my CD33 but it sure added up quickly! That was with a big discount from a supplier who was doing me a favor (he was installing units on all the new boats my Dad was selling at the time) and I did all the work myself. And honestly, the boat is just not big enough to sacrifice that space. I'd sure like to have that closet back now that we have 2 kids to pack for (though Sarah is fine sacrificing some storage for comfort).

I suggest you call Sailor's Exchange in Jacksonville and St Augustine. They usually have a portable unit or two laying around.

OK. I am willing to help you out with your space issue. We will come up and remove it from the boat and give you two portable units and a cruisin-cool in return. No charge for the de-installation. Truly is the least we can do to help you out and regain that lost space.

[Jeff and Sarah]

I actually did want to sell the unit- I haven't even connected to shore power since we moved this summer so it's just taking up space. Sarah vetoed that idea though and I'm pretty sure she plans on ordering a Honda EU2000i soon to run the A/C when we are on the hook. When she has a strong opinion like this, I tend to let her run with it.

[tjr818]

I actually did want to sell the unit- I haven't even connected to shore power since we moved this summer so it's just taking up space. Sarah vetoed that idea though and I'm pretty sure she plans on ordering a Honda EU2000i soon to run the A/C when we are on the hook. When she has a strong opinion like this, I tend to let her run with it.

I like that idea. Will that little Honda power the A/C

[joemerchant]

I actually did want to sell the unit- I haven't even connected to shore power since we moved this summer so it's just taking up space. Sarah vetoed that idea though and I'm pretty sure she plans on ordering a Honda EU2000i soon to run the A/C when we are on the hook. When she has a strong opinion like this, I tend to let her run with it.

I am pretty happy with the generator a/c on the hook on a really hot/cold day. When the admiral is happy, the trip is always exponentially better. Be warned that once spoiled in first class it becomes really difficult to return to coach on the return flight.

[Jeff and Sarah]

I actually did want to sell the unit- I haven't even connected to shore power since we moved this summer so it's just taking up space. Sarah vetoed that idea though and I'm pretty sure she plans on ordering a Honda EU2000i soon to run the A/C when we are on the hook. When she has a strong opinion like this, I tend to let her run with it.

I am pretty happy with the generator a/c on the hook on a really hot/cold day. When the admiral is happy, the trip is always exponentially better. Be warned that once spoiled in first class it becomes really difficult to return to coach on the return flight.

Yes, I have noted that after a charter aboard a catamaran with a generator and a/c. The next charter on a monohull without either luxury wasn't much fun. To make matters worse it rained the entire time so hatches remained closed as well.

TJR818, The generator should run the a/c without a problem. Dometic did some testing and has shown that the Honda EU2000i can run a 16,000 btu unit (and they offer a soft-start mechanism to help with voltage spikes at start-up). My unit is 12,000 btu so I am confident it will work.

[tjr818]

TJR818, The generator should run the a/c without a problem. Dometic did some testing and has shown that the Honda EU2000i can run a 16,000 btu unit (and they offer a soft-start mechanism to help with voltage spikes at start-up). My unit is 12,000 btu so I am confident it will work.

Oh oh. . . that's going to costs me quite a few boat units
But I do thank you for the information.

[Zeida]

Jeff & Sarah…

Where in your 33 did you end up installing your A/C unit? How and from where to where did you run the flex ducts? hat brand unit did you get? I am currently considering the possibility of doing the same, but want to thoroughly research all angles. Any and all photos, if any, would help. Thanks a bunch.

Zeida

[Jeff and Sarah]

I put the unit in the hanging locker across from the head. I have 2 vents: one in the bulkhead separating that locker from the salon and another in the v-berth. The v-berth vent is 4"x4" and the ducting just runs along the back of the forward hanging locker. The salon vent is bigger- I'll have to measure. That one doesn't require much ducting. I put a supply vent in the door for the locker. I installed a shelf to hold the unit and the pump is located on the floor in the same locker. The seacock and strainer is in the compartment just aft of the locker below the starboard bunk.

I used a Cruisair Turbo 12,000btu Reverse Cycle unit (hmmm- maybe 10,000- I'll check tomorrow). It does a great job cooling and heating the boat but due to it's location it is somewhat loud. If I had to do it again I'd consider cramming it under the v-berth but that would be a lot more complicated.

I am happy with the installation and final result though storage is tight now. If you decide to go this route, get the heat option. It only costs another $100 and really pays for itself extending the season.

If you PM me an email address I'll send you plenty of photos.

[Zeida]

Jeff… I am thinking of a Mermaid unit / 9500 btu installed under the V berth - but there are so many things to consider to do this install.. that it is a bit scary. I do not need the heating part, here in Florida. I would love to see some of your photos. email is <zeida.cecilia@gmail.com> Thanks for your input.

[Jeff and Sarah]

I was living aboard my boat in Florida when I installed my unit and still used the heat quite a bit (but I was in Jacksonville, not down south). I'll get some photos fired off tonight or tomorrow.