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Airconditioning Anyone?

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jkey6
1st Mate

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71 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/01/2002 : 21:06:09

Has anyone found creative (read inexpensive) ways to add a little ac to the C250.

I have found a 7500 BTU Sol Air unit for $400 that would do the trick but can't find a way to secure it. The Sol Air is one of those 'Portable AC Units'

The unit is 31" tall, 12 wide and 15 deep. The unit is nicely finished. It has a tank for condensate and requires that you route a 6" air hose outdoors for the condenser discharge.

Sure would be nice on those 90F summer nights coming to the south.

JKEY

Edited by - on

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2002 : 21:40:30

I bought the Portable "Carry On" unit from West Marine, it was expensive, $735 but the convenience is great, it fits in my dock box or I can just drop it down the front hatch to the V-berth. It works great and fits perfect over the front hatch, it is listed at 4,800 BTU and I sail in the heart of Texas where there are lots of 100+ degree summer days. I have seen others with small window type units and the make a new companionway cover to mount it in. The problem with that is it makes it difficult to get through the companionway, you can find those units at Home depot for $200 or less. The other thing about the "Carry On" unit is that it is made for a Marine environment, you pay for what you get in some cases,
Steve Steakley
Moon Chaser #385 250wk

Edited by - on

MarkTM
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2002 : 10:12:47

We enjoy sleeping aboard during the summer with our companionway-mounted window AC unit. (See here: http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/tt025.htm) Like Steve says, stepping over the unit requires a little more effort but my eight year old son and my wife (5'4" tall) have no problem getting over. The AC unit is put in place in the evening before we go to sleep. We actually keep our winter bedding on board because the AC unit drops temps into the low 60s at night; humidity drops to below 50% (from 90%+). Even during the day when the temps are near 100 degrees, the unit will drop temps into the low 70s. 5000 btu seems about right . . . and placing the unit in the companionway seems to distribute the air nicely around the entire cabin. GE units of this size can still be purchased at Sam's for about $130.

We considered purchasing the marine unit that mounts in the forward hatch . . . but we didn't like the idea of having air that close to us when in the v-berth and the dollar cost was quite high. We are very happy with out current setup and the hatchboard/AC unit combo fits nicely in our dockbox. If we add one of those EU2000 Honda generators to our equipment list, we can enjoy AC at anchor.

Mark Melchior
C250wb "Lorelei" #384
[url="http://www.texassailor.com/"]<img src="http://www.texassailor.com/texas.gif " border=0>[/url]
(click flag to visit Central Texas Sailor)

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2002 : 14:30:55

Mark is right about having cold air coming stright down from the forward hatch, You would have to re-direct the air to keep from freezing out if the v-birth was being used. If you can get an AC for $130...it is worth considering. We are often in the slip with plenty of daylight and heat so I like to get the cabin cooled down and come and go as needed with guest etc.
Steve Steakley
Moon Chaser

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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2002 : 17:07:26

Jamie,

I've used an el'cheapo 5000 BTU unit stuffed in the front hatch and
covered with a tarp with some success. You still have the cold air problem mentioned, though. I liked Mark's solution, but never got around to making a custom hatch. It's so damn hot in Arizona in the summer, I've just resorted to day sailing (very early in the day!)<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> I've always wondered if the portable units would work better by setting up in mid cabin. Do you have the pop up top? Seems you could run the hose up to a window to vent the exhaust. Let us know if you try this and it works. Of course, youll still have to lug the unit in and out of the cabin ... I'm not sure I'd want to leave it onboard for sailing. Maybe it would add more weight to your bow with the sandbags, eh?

Max

PS Are you a 'Canes fan? Good job ousting the Devils!

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Edited by - on

jkey6
1st Mate

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71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2002 : 23:34:39

Hi Max,

No Canes fan here. I am a Gamecock.

Here is a link to the unit I found.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1349201404

It is rather sleek and I think could be retrofitted into my cabin, I just haven't figured out how.

I am thinking of the locker between the head and rear berth, but that is likely too small.

Nice looking unit though and the price isn't as high as some others.

Happy Sailing,

JKEY

Edited by - on

MarkTM
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2002 : 23:41:30

Nice looking unit, JKEY. But the weight! 74 lbs. is stout.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 15:54:29

We have a Cruisair Carry On (bought it used a couple February's ago for half the West Marine price) and love it! We do find that it works better if you take out the cushion separating the v-berth & table or a lot of cool air just gets trapped in the bow. Just the thing for those hot August days on the Chesapeake!

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

Edited by - on

jkey6
1st Mate

Members Avatar

71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 20:44:46

Cathy,

Where did you purchase your Cruisair unit??

Thanks,

JKEY6

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 22:06:29

Where I work, we sometimes need a little extra cooling in electronic spaces(computer rooms) when the temperature gets a little too high or when maintenance is being done on the main cooling system. In these cases we use a waterless air conditioner that we roll where ever it is needed. Because it is waterless, it is not necessary to empty any drip pans. The humidity(water) is vented with the heat exhaust instead of being condensed on coils and drained. The unit is quieter than most AC units. The Delonghi Pinguino(Italian for penguin) Portable Air Conditoner is 28.74"H x 22.05"W x 14.37"D and can be permanently mounted. The only vent you need is a 3 1/2 plastic dryer vent hose that you exhaust to the outside. You could connect this exhaust hose to a clamshell vent to the outside. I've checked around the internet and these sell for between $800.00 and $1,100.00. For more info check out
http://www.compactappliance.net/compactappliance/delpinporair1.html
or go to http://www.google.com and search for "Delonghi Pinguino".

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2002 : 13:20:27

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Cathy,

Where did you purchase your Cruisair unit??

Thanks,

JKEY6

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
There's a local shop in Deltaville that does marine consignment. A cruiser sold it with a lot of other stuff at the end of the season. I have seen them on ebay as well - the best price will of course be over the winter when its not hot.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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