I'm considering 110 AC for Lola. Can anyone suggest 1. AC vendor and 2. Location for equipment. Thanks, George
Hi George
Are you talking 110 vac electrical system or a 110 vac air conditioning system?
If the later lets work on this together because I am also in the market for a built in air conditioner , I have a drop in unit now and it works well enough to keep the boat comfortable it is a 9000BTU model so I was thinking of a 12000BTU unit for the built in. I am very confident about installing this myself maybe we could work together and get two birds with one stone.
Ed
S/V Moonlight Mile
Yes Ed, air conditioning. I now have 25 amp service on Lola. Will I want to add another 25 amp circuit dedicated to AC? Locating an appropriate place for the unit is an early issue as well as what vendor ( will dictate space needed for the compressor, etc).
I converted the pilot berth into a cabinet. I insalled mermaid system in that cabinet behind the shower dead space. I made a false bottom and used the space for the plemun to deliver the air to the main cabin. I also ran a 4 inch duct to the Vee birth.
I have seen other installations in the hanging locker on the port side. I did not want to give up that space.
If you use a 12000 BTU you may be able to run it on a 2KW honda inverter generator that weighs 49 pounds. I installed a 16000 BTU. It easily keeps up with the load.
George/Ed,
Lets get together. I just installed a complete 100 system and brand new 16K A/C. I can show you what I have, and you may come up with improvement ideas.
I am jim "underscore" jo ATTT sbcglobal dotttt netttt (let the scrapers figure that one out).
Jim
We bought a 16000 BTU Cruise Air for Ohana at the Boat Show. Plan on putting it under the port vee berth. Running 1 7 in. vent to the main cabin and 1 4 in. in the vee berth. I also plan on putting another 30 amp service in and installing a plug somewhere close to the Nav. station.
I really like the idea of using the space in the pilot berth. I may decide to change. Any comments ?
Jim
Ours is under the vee berth on the port side. The problem is the ducts are run through all the lockers on the port side and take up a lot of space. I would like to move it, but then I would have to deal with those big holes in the cabinetry. I like wedelstein's idea in that it would be a lot less obtrusive.
The pilot berth may be a viable option - I had been thinking about sacrificing the bottom of the hanging locker. I have a large capped off bronze thru hull that is already in place that would be convenient from either the pilot birth or the hanging locker
Do you all agree that 12,000 btu would be adequate. I will not bother with reverse cycle heat. Thanks George
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures I need Pictures.
All joking aside guys a pictures speaks a thousand words if you all could snap a shot of your installation it would help us not jet committed to make a placement call based on what looks good works well and is less obtrusive. I for one would hate to give up any of my pilot berth it's my favorite rack when passage making.
Jim I for one would love to see your installation I will contact you off the list.
Ed
S/V Moonlight Mile
Gordon, can you post photos of your ac unit in the pilot berth?
We installed a new installed a new 16,500 BTU Mermaid unit. It in not adequate in North Carolina. I wish I had installed two smaller units. For about 22,000 BTUs. I could easily operate one from a small generator while at anchor and both when at the Marina. Two Zones is the way to go, though it appears more expensive. One jelly-fish or plastic wrap on the intake and you will have a very sleepless night. I am still going to install a small unit in the V-berth before I head to the Virgins.
I am finding it hard to belieave that a ton and a half of AC is not enough to keep the boat comfortable. When figuring systems I use the number of 1 ton (10,000 btu's) for every active person in the climate controlled area. Unless you guys are very active and you are holding a party or something you should be good to go.
I realize that the boat is not insulated and I bet your bilge is very comfortable, but it still suprises me that once running it should draw the boat down to temperature and have less and less difficulty holding it there.
Question, when your unit is running, what is your voltage on your shore power tap? I know when I flick on our hot water heater our incoming voltage drops to under 100 vac at times. This would drastically reduce your systems cooling capacity if something like this was occurring.
Something just doesn't seem right. Perhaps a boom awning to shade the deck would also be a good experiment. Closing the hatches???
Dale
I'm also considering installing a 16,500 Mermaid unit in Independence but I have some questions:
1. Does the vee birth location case vibration to those sleeping in it?
2. I'm have mechanical skills and am considering installing it myself or do you recommend having professionally done and what are the costs.
3. Since my boat is currently on the hard is it best to install it there or does it matter. Do in need a new thru hull?
4. I will be in Ft. Meyers area, should I have Mermaid install it for me?
4. What costs have you sailors run into putting your unit in?
Any help is appreciated
George
Gordon,
Thanks much for the information. while I'm on the hard I'll look to putting the 1" thru hulls in and get with Mermaid about the installation and parts. I'll put the unit in the hanging locker. It's a start.
I'm currently in ST. Pete FL. If you are near by you can contact me to exchange information.
Thanks again
George
Independence
801-745-4035
georgetmuller@gmail.com