Rigging AC on my sailboat
 

Well, I bought one of those 5,000 btu window air conditioners from Wal-Mart
for $78 to put on our sailboat. we are going to just use it at the dock with
shore power. You have to do something here with highs of 98° and 100%
humidity. I have to keep the Admiral comfortable and happy ;o)

Anyway, I digress. I don't want to have a huge ugly AC unit blocking the
entire hatch way like some do, so here is what I am going to try.

I am going to keep the AC unit stowed away normally and set it up when we
are wanting to use it. Here is what I am thinking.

1) I will set the AC over my sink which is just inside the hatch and to
starboard (that way the condensation will drip into the sink).
2) I have added 2 ducts to the AC (I bought some nice looking 4" dryer duct
that is flexible and made of aluminum, it looks sharp.)
3) I have one duct going to the side where air is sucked in.
4) I have the second duct coming off the back.
5) I made a second (lower) hatch board with 2 holes cut for the two ducts to
go through.
6) I may get a second piece of ducting hose to attach on the other side of
the hatch so the hot air will not be blowing into the cockpit.

Well, I am still making it. Any comments.
Oh, I bought a Fedders Ac and it only draws 4.6 amps which I am sure I can
get a small generator to run if I have a mind to.

Happy sails,
John

"FamilySailor" wrote in message ...

There goes the neighborhood.

Try cruise air or aqua air.


Joe



Happy sails,
John

Sounds like moving to a trailer park would be you solution with that kludge

Well, I bought one of those 5,000 btu window air conditioners from
Wal-Mart
for $78 to put on our sailboat. we are going to just use it at the dock
with
shore power. You have to do something here with highs of 98° and 100%
humidity. I have to keep the Admiral comfortable and happy ;o)

Anyway, I digress. I don't want to have a huge ugly AC unit blocking the
entire hatch way like some do, so here is what I am going to try.

I am going to keep the AC unit stowed away normally and set it up when we
are wanting to use it. Here is what I am thinking.

1) I will set the AC over my sink which is just inside the hatch and to
starboard (that way the condensation will drip into the sink).
2) I have added 2 ducts to the AC (I bought some nice looking 4" dryer
duct
that is flexible and made of aluminum, it looks sharp.)
3) I have one duct going to the side where air is sucked in.
4) I have the second duct coming off the back.
5) I made a second (lower) hatch board with 2 holes cut for the two ducts
to
go through.
6) I may get a second piece of ducting hose to attach on the other side of
the hatch so the hot air will not be blowing into the cockpit.

Well, I am still making it. Any comments.
Oh, I bought a Fedders Ac and it only draws 4.6 amps which I am sure I can
get a small generator to run if I have a mind to.

Happy sails,
John

Won't it be kinda noisy for sleeping? Did it come with a remote? A
buddy just bought a nice little $75 unit for his small office, and it
has a remote. I always figgered to put one in the cockpit, let it
drain to the scuppers, with air duct for the incoming cold air,
especially now that they have remote controls for them. Should be
quieter.

Scotty


"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
Well, I bought one of those 5,000 btu window air conditioners from
Wal-Mart
for $78 to put on our sailboat. we are going to just use it at the
dock with
shore power. You have to do something here with highs of 98° and
100%
humidity. I have to keep the Admiral comfortable and happy ;o)

Anyway, I digress. I don't want to have a huge ugly AC unit blocking
the
entire hatch way like some do, so here is what I am going to try.

I am going to keep the AC unit stowed away normally and set it up
when we
are wanting to use it. Here is what I am thinking.

1) I will set the AC over my sink which is just inside the hatch and
to
starboard (that way the condensation will drip into the sink).
2) I have added 2 ducts to the AC (I bought some nice looking 4"
dryer duct
that is flexible and made of aluminum, it looks sharp.)
3) I have one duct going to the side where air is sucked in.
4) I have the second duct coming off the back.
5) I made a second (lower) hatch board with 2 holes cut for the two
ducts to
go through.
6) I may get a second piece of ducting hose to attach on the other
side of
the hatch so the hot air will not be blowing into the cockpit.

Well, I am still making it. Any comments.
Oh, I bought a Fedders Ac and it only draws 4.6 amps which I am sure
I can
get a small generator to run if I have a mind to.

Happy sails,
John

John,
As long as you do this with the attitude that it's an experiment and a
gamble, you won't be disappointed. Sounds like you bought the same 5K
Fedders unit from Walmart that I bought (I made the water cooled heat
exchanger; read "damned heat" 7/25/04).
I use the ultra-quiet Honda genny (EU2000); it's light and quiet and has no
problem with up to a 13,500 btu AC unit.
If your rig doesn't work out for you, consider buying a water cooled
condenser and install that (or hire an hvac guy for a few hours to do it).
Jeff Morris posted this site, they have suitable and reasonably cheap heat
exchangers you could use:
http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Major_...vaporators.asp
But, regarding your current setup, here's the good news:.
1. it won't cost more than $78 plus incidentals.
2. it might work fine
Here are the cautions:
1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher static pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb as static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in ducted systems.
2. that unit PROBABLY pulls condensing air in on 3 sides (are you blanking
the other two sides off?)
3. Fedders has a history of running with high head pressures (they go cheap
with condensing coil) - so with the modifications, don't be surprised if
your unit moves significantly less than 5,000 BTU/hr. You're never going to
move the volume of air intended for that unit, so head pressure + amperage
will go up, capacity (tonnage) will go down. If you reduce the air too much,
the compressor will start cycling off on thermal overload.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Scout


"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
Well, I bought one of those 5,000 btu window air conditioners from
Wal-Mart
for $78 to put on our sailboat. we are going to just use it at the dock
with
shore power. You have to do something here with highs of 98° and 100%
humidity. I have to keep the Admiral comfortable and happy ;o)

Anyway, I digress. I don't want to have a huge ugly AC unit blocking the
entire hatch way like some do, so here is what I am going to try.

I am going to keep the AC unit stowed away normally and set it up when we
are wanting to use it. Here is what I am thinking.

1) I will set the AC over my sink which is just inside the hatch and to
starboard (that way the condensation will drip into the sink).
2) I have added 2 ducts to the AC (I bought some nice looking 4" dryer
duct
that is flexible and made of aluminum, it looks sharp.)
3) I have one duct going to the side where air is sucked in.
4) I have the second duct coming off the back.
5) I made a second (lower) hatch board with 2 holes cut for the two ducts
to
go through.
6) I may get a second piece of ducting hose to attach on the other side of
the hatch so the hot air will not be blowing into the cockpit.

Well, I am still making it. Any comments.
Oh, I bought a Fedders Ac and it only draws 4.6 amps which I am sure I can
get a small generator to run if I have a mind to.

Happy sails,
John

PS - I'd use the Water Cooled Tube-In-Shell Condenser # 012-0600
Capacity with 3.5 gpm water flow and 15C degrees delta T (water) = 2,650
watts (9,050 btu/hr).
Don't forget you need a small water pump too.
Scout


"Scout" wrote in message
...
John,
As long as you do this with the attitude that it's an experiment and a
gamble, you won't be disappointed. Sounds like you bought the same 5K
Fedders unit from Walmart that I bought (I made the water cooled heat
exchanger; read "damned heat" 7/25/04).
I use the ultra-quiet Honda genny (EU2000); it's light and quiet and has
no
problem with up to a 13,500 btu AC unit.
If your rig doesn't work out for you, consider buying a water cooled
condenser and install that (or hire an hvac guy for a few hours to do it).
Jeff Morris posted this site, they have suitable and reasonably cheap heat
exchangers you could use:

http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Major_...vaporators.asp
But, regarding your current setup, here's the good news:.
1. it won't cost more than $78 plus incidentals.
2. it might work fine
Here are the cautions:
1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher static pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb as static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in ducted systems.
2. that unit PROBABLY pulls condensing air in on 3 sides (are you blanking
the other two sides off?)
3. Fedders has a history of running with high head pressures (they go
cheap
with condensing coil) - so with the modifications, don't be surprised if
your unit moves significantly less than 5,000 BTU/hr. You're never going
to
move the volume of air intended for that unit, so head pressure + amperage
will go up, capacity (tonnage) will go down. If you reduce the air too
much,
the compressor will start cycling off on thermal overload.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Scout


"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
Well, I bought one of those 5,000 btu window air conditioners from
Wal-Mart
for $78 to put on our sailboat. we are going to just use it at the dock
with
shore power. You have to do something here with highs of 98° and 100%
humidity. I have to keep the Admiral comfortable and happy ;o)

Anyway, I digress. I don't want to have a huge ugly AC unit blocking the
entire hatch way like some do, so here is what I am going to try.

I am going to keep the AC unit stowed away normally and set it up when
we
are wanting to use it. Here is what I am thinking.

1) I will set the AC over my sink which is just inside the hatch and to
starboard (that way the condensation will drip into the sink).
2) I have added 2 ducts to the AC (I bought some nice looking 4" dryer
duct
that is flexible and made of aluminum, it looks sharp.)
3) I have one duct going to the side where air is sucked in.
4) I have the second duct coming off the back.
5) I made a second (lower) hatch board with 2 holes cut for the two
ducts
to
go through.
6) I may get a second piece of ducting hose to attach on the other side
of
the hatch so the hot air will not be blowing into the cockpit.

Well, I am still making it. Any comments.
Oh, I bought a Fedders Ac and it only draws 4.6 amps which I am sure I
can
get a small generator to run if I have a mind to.

Happy sails,
John

Hummm.... I need to do more research I guess, but this will help us get into
the cooler fall season. Those that pick on us for wanting to sleep in
comfort must not live in this high humidity climate!
This is heat-stroke country. Most people don't even come down to the dock
here in August. With a little ingenuity, my whole family will want to stay
on the boat happily. Sail a mile in my shoes..... ;o)
Without the AC the cabin interior is 102 degrees inside.

Hey Scott,
Actually the humming will drown out the sounds of cars and car doors and
people around the dock. It will be like sleeping to the hummmm of a diesel
engine (like when I commercial fished) or the sound of rain on the roof. I
hope it humms enough to drown out sounds.

Sea Yawl,
John

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
Won't it be kinda noisy for sleeping? Did it come with a remote? A
buddy just bought a nice little $75 unit for his small office, and it
has a remote. I always figgered to put one in the cockpit, let it
drain to the scuppers, with air duct for the incoming cold air,
especially now that they have remote controls for them. Should be
quieter.

Scotty

Try cruise air or aqua air.

One day maybe. Do they have a $78 model? I am saving real money for sailing
items, like new sails...

Sounds like moving to a trailer park would be you solution with that
kludge


For you maybe, but that is not an option for me. I was raised on the water.

"FamilySailor" wrote in message ...
Hummm.... I need to do more research I guess, but this will help us get into
the cooler fall season. Those that pick on us for wanting to sleep in
comfort must not live in this high humidity climate!
This is heat-stroke country. Most people don't even come down to the dock
here in August. With a little ingenuity, my whole family will want to stay
on the boat happily. Sail a mile in my shoes..... ;o)
Without the AC the cabin interior is 102 degrees inside.

Were just picking on you. You have a nice boat now, go ahead and
invest in a nice marine ac system. If you have to use a window unit
buy yourself some plywood and make a temp hatch cover system that will
pipe the cold air below and toss it in the dock box when not in use.
You might need your galley sink.

102 is cool compared to what RedCloud would be without the 34000
btu's we keep going 24/7.

Joe

I will have to look into a marine AC unit, since we are wanting to keep this
boat and trick it out. It sounds like a Spring project though. No offence
was take. I have been reading and posting here about a month. I know how the
posts go. ;o)
From one extreme to the other!

Joe,
your 3 ton unit could do a small house nicely. do you run it just at the
dock or do you have a genny too?
Scout

"Joe" wrote
102 is cool compared to what RedCloud would be without the 34000
btu's we keep going 24/7.

Joe

$750 for the same unit with ''marine'' added to the name.

Scotty

"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
Try cruise air or aqua air.

One day maybe. Do they have a $78 model? I am saving real money for
sailing
items, like new sails...

"Scout" wrote

1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher static
pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb as
static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in ducted
systems.


I figured you'd need to add an inline blower in the duct.

SV

Yep, that could work.
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...

"Scout" wrote

1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher static
pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb as
static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in ducted
systems.


I figured you'd need to add an inline blower in the duct.

SV

I was thinking of using one of these;
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...uctDisplay?sto
reId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=50052



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Yep, that could work.
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...

"Scout" wrote

1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher
static
pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb
as
static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in
ducted
systems.


I figured you'd need to add an inline blower in the duct.

SV

pushed send too fast.
BTW, this has been a cool summer, compared to last few years. My
boss informed me that it's supposed to be nice Mon. & Tue. and ordered
me to go sailing. Can't argue with that.

Scotty


"Scout" wrote in message
...
Yep, that could work.
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...

"Scout" wrote

1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher
static
pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb
as
static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in
ducted
systems.


I figured you'd need to add an inline blower in the duct.

SV

I get
"We're sorry for the inconvenience. We may be running some routine
maintenance on the page you are trying to access."
I'll try it again later.
Scout


"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
I was thinking of using one of these;
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...uctDisplay?sto
reId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=50052



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Yep, that could work.
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...

"Scout" wrote

1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher
static
pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will climb
as
static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in
ducted
systems.


I figured you'd need to add an inline blower in the duct.

SV

It's a 3'' 'bilge blower'. sold at all the marine stores.


"Scout" wrote in message
...
I get
"We're sorry for the inconvenience. We may be running some routine
maintenance on the page you are trying to access."
I'll try it again later.
Scout


"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
I was thinking of using one of these;

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...uctDisplay?sto
reId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=50052



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Yep, that could work.
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...

"Scout" wrote

1. the condenser fan is not designed to develop the higher
static
pressure
needed to move air through duct (the motor amperage will
climb
as
static
climbs). That is why you don't see 'propeller type fans in
ducted
systems.


I figured you'd need to add an inline blower in the duct.

SV

"Scout" wrote in message ...
Joe,
your 3 ton unit could do a small house nicely. do you run it just at the
dock or do you have a genny too?
Scout

Have a very nice air cooled 12HP 2 CLY Lister 75KW genny. And the
units are 3. a 16,000 Cruise air for the main cabin, a 10,000 Aqua air
for the aft cabin and a 8,000 unit for the wheelhouse. With free
electric here in the marina I can afford to run them all- all the
time. Also have a large solar panel the runs all the 12 volt fans to
push the cold air around. Its the perfect application of a solar
panel, the hotter it gets outside the faster the fans run.

Joe
Burrrrrrrrr





"Joe" wrote
102 is cool compared to what RedCloud would be without the 34000
btu's we keep going 24/7.

Joe

sweet!
Scout

"Joe" wrote in message
om...
"Scout" wrote in message
...
Joe,
your 3 ton unit could do a small house nicely. do you run it just at the
dock or do you have a genny too?
Scout

Have a very nice air cooled 12HP 2 CLY Lister 75KW genny. And the
units are 3. a 16,000 Cruise air for the main cabin, a 10,000 Aqua air
for the aft cabin and a 8,000 unit for the wheelhouse. With free
electric here in the marina I can afford to run them all- all the
time. Also have a large solar panel the runs all the 12 volt fans to
push the cold air around. Its the perfect application of a solar
panel, the hotter it gets outside the faster the fans run.

Joe
Burrrrrrrrr





"Joe" wrote
102 is cool compared to what RedCloud would be without the 34000
btu's we keep going 24/7.

Joe

Joe wrote:
Have a very nice air cooled 12HP 2 CLY Lister 75KW genny.

An air cooled diesel genset? Where is it mounted, and how is it vented?
I would think that water cooling would be a whole lot more effecient and
nicer to be around (although the raw water loop is a PITA).

DSK

,My boss informed me that it's supposed to be nice Mon. & Tue..

What about Wednesday? That's the important day of the week.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

DSK wrote in message ...
Joe wrote:
Have a very nice air cooled 12HP 2 CLY Lister 75KW genny.

An air cooled diesel genset? Where is it mounted, and how is it vented?

It's in the engine room, vented by a 10" duct system that dumps the
air outside the stern of the wheelhouse. During the summer with the
main running and the gen set running you can stay in the engine room
and be very cool. The blower is between the engine and the gen
windings, Its a cast iron squirrel cage type blower that is around 3
foot tall. I had to build custom duct work. The boat came from the N.
Sea were it is normally very cold so it use to just warm the engine
room. It's a great system.

Joe


I would think that water cooling would be a whole lot more effecient and
nicer to be around (although the raw water loop is a PITA).

DSK

Gotta work sometime.

SV

"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
,My boss informed me that it's supposed to be nice Mon. &
Tue..

What about Wednesday? That's the important day of the week.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

that's why they call it hump day?
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
Gotta work sometime.

SV

"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
,My boss informed me that it's supposed to be nice Mon. &
Tue..

What about Wednesday? That's the important day of the week.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Shhhhh, don't tell my wife, I have her believing it means something
else.

Scotty

"Scout" wrote in message
...
that's why they call it hump day?
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
Gotta work sometime.

SV

"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
,My boss informed me that it's supposed to be nice Mon. &
Tue..

What about Wednesday? That's the important day of the week.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Oops, just found out I'm working Tue and Wed this week. I better get
packing and down to the boat ASAP.


--
Scott Vernon
Plowville Pa _/)__/)_/)_

"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
,My boss informed me that it's supposed to be nice Mon. &
Tue..

What about Wednesday? That's the important day of the week.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Engine room - holy garbanzo! My engine room is air cooled too, it's hangs
off of my transom.
Scout

"Joe" wrote in message
om...
DSK wrote in message
...
Joe wrote:
Have a very nice air cooled 12HP 2 CLY Lister 75KW genny.

An air cooled diesel genset? Where is it mounted, and how is it vented?

It's in the engine room, vented by a 10" duct system that dumps the
air outside the stern of the wheelhouse. During the summer with the
main running and the gen set running you can stay in the engine room
and be very cool. The blower is between the engine and the gen
windings, Its a cast iron squirrel cage type blower that is around 3
foot tall. I had to build custom duct work. The boat came from the N.
Sea were it is normally very cold so it use to just warm the engine
room. It's a great system.

Joe


I would think that water cooling would be a whole lot more effecient and
nicer to be around (although the raw water loop is a PITA).

DSK

Scout wrote:
Engine room - holy garbanzo! My engine room is air cooled too, it's hangs
off of my transom.

Watch your language now. This is a family newsgroup.

DSK

I know - I've noticed there are several mutha's here. ; )
Scout

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
Scout wrote:
Engine room - holy garbanzo! My engine room is air cooled too, it's
hangs
off of my transom.

Watch your language now. This is a family newsgroup.

DSK

On Sun, 22 Aug 2004 09:11:08 -0400, "Scott Vernon"
wrote this crap:

Shhhhh, don't tell my wife, I have her believing it means something
else.


That's the only day she'll do it?





Pathetic Earthlings! No one can save you now!

After reading all the posts here I changed my plans. You were right we need
the sink. I just screwed 1" thick boards cut to fit the sides of the hatch
to the AC unit from the inside. I just set it in the bottom of the hatch and
put the remaining boards above it. My wife at 5'-2" can step over it going
in and out. Her main complaint about it was
"I is freezing in here" "I am FREEZING!" "It's COLD!" "BRRRRRR!" Well, I
warmed her right up...... ;o)

We just use it to sleep good at night. In the morning, I just lifted it out
(only weighs about 40 lbs.) and stowed it then went sailing.
Thanks for the advice.

Happy Sails,
John

Glad it works for you. Good you took my advice.

Scotty

"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
After reading all the posts here I changed my plans. You were right
we need
the sink. I just screwed 1" thick boards cut to fit the sides of the
hatch
to the AC unit from the inside. I just set it in the bottom of the
hatch and
put the remaining boards above it. My wife at 5'-2" can step over it
going
in and out. Her main complaint about it was
"I is freezing in here" "I am FREEZING!" "It's COLD!" "BRRRRRR!"
Well, I
warmed her right up...... ;o)

We just use it to sleep good at night. In the morning, I just lifted
it out
(only weighs about 40 lbs.) and stowed it then went sailing.
Thanks for the advice.

Happy Sails,
John

and mine!
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
Glad it works for you. Good you took my advice.

Scotty

"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
After reading all the posts here I changed my plans. You were right
we need
the sink. I just screwed 1" thick boards cut to fit the sides of the
hatch
to the AC unit from the inside. I just set it in the bottom of the
hatch and
put the remaining boards above it. My wife at 5'-2" can step over it
going
in and out. Her main complaint about it was
"I is freezing in here" "I am FREEZING!" "It's COLD!" "BRRRRRR!"
Well, I
warmed her right up...... ;o)

We just use it to sleep good at night. In the morning, I just lifted
it out
(only weighs about 40 lbs.) and stowed it then went sailing.
Thanks for the advice.

Happy Sails,
John

Me too....

"Scout" wrote in message
...
and mine!
Scout

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
Glad it works for you. Good you took my advice.

Scotty

"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
After reading all the posts here I changed my plans. You were right
we need
the sink. I just screwed 1" thick boards cut to fit the sides of the
hatch
to the AC unit from the inside. I just set it in the bottom of the
hatch and
put the remaining boards above it. My wife at 5'-2" can step over it
going
in and out. Her main complaint about it was
"I is freezing in here" "I am FREEZING!" "It's COLD!" "BRRRRRR!"
Well, I
warmed her right up...... ;o)

We just use it to sleep good at night. In the morning, I just lifted
it out
(only weighs about 40 lbs.) and stowed it then went sailing.
Thanks for the advice.

Happy Sails,
John