AC solutions

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 3:05 pm

Well looks like my AC/Cruisair is dead according in the solon (v-bunk still works great) to AC guy. It's like $3000 it seems just for unit then whatever for install. My buddy and I where thinking about going away from the older unit system (uses R22, after 2020 they cease to manufacture it and it's like $100 a lb today) at least the salon one. Has anyone replaced the old style system with something like a single self contained unit and install under fly bridge?

asher · Post by **asher** » Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:57 pm

My v-berth unit died again last year, and I think this last time was terminal. I yanked the condensing unit but the evaporator is still in place up forward. I've been contemplating replacing both split units with one self contained unit under the sink or in the closet on the port side across from the head. I hadn't thought about placing a self contained in place of the salon evaporator under the flybridge and I don't know if I like the idea of having pressurized water lines where I have all of my navigation electronics. I have a 1980 35' as well so whatever solution you come up with I am definitely interested.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:46 pm

When I bought my 1979 35' it did not have A/C. I installed a 16,000 BTU reverse cycle in the locker across from the head door. Using a splitter I routed one duct to the salon and another to the V-berths.This works perfectly for us plus we get heat on the cool days. We have used the boat as a mother ship duck hunting in the fall. I see West has a 16,000 BTU unit for $1,630.00.

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 2:23 pm

Thanks. We are thinking of installing this one in the fly bridge https://www.westmarine.com/buy/webasto- ... Ajl28P8HAQ We think we can just run some water lines up maybe using pex tubing looks like they might made a grade for boats now. Not thrilled with pumping up water to the fly bridge if it leaks etc. But we only run it while at the boat/dock not all the time. Also found this youtube clip with ac under the fly bridge. Ok is for AC to bridge but still had to run water to fly bridge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwpJsf7eLUs The cool part is when it dies it easy to replace.

asher · Post by **asher** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 9:54 am

If the underside of my flybridge was anywhere near as neat and tidy as the one in the video I would have a lot less of an issue with plumbing the water up to the bridge. The main problem I see with piping water up there is you are probably going to have to have separate pumps for each unit as whatever unit is installed lower will hog the majority of the water. Also, you may have to install a larger than normal pump to push the water that high up as the discharge head pressure will be much more significant.

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 1:28 pm

Jon, Starting to warm up to your solution as I figure the other one probably is not far behind in dying. Question, where/how did you run the duct for the salon? The vbunk looked easy but not sure where to run the salon duct. quote:Originally posted by Jon When I bought my 1979 35' it did not have A/C. I installed a 16,000 BTU reverse cycle in the locker across from the head door. Using a splitter I routed one duct to the salon and another to the V-berths.This works perfectly for us plus we get heat on the cool days. We have used the boat as a mother ship duck hunting in the fall. I see West has a 16,000 BTU unit for $1,630.00.

butch · Post by **butch** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 6:33 pm

Capt Frank, I would think it's a lot of lift with normal pumps to reach the bridge and could be a priming issue. I still have both old system with original air handlers and have replaced both compressors , I built a shelf forward of the port motor and out board ( under the sink in the bielge ) and mounted both compressors on the shelf . Out of the way easy to service and look like new after 5 to 7 years. Not sure about the ducking on a self contained unit but think may be room behind cabinets . Good luck and stay cool!

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 3:38 am

Humm i like that idea. I think i have abandoned the bridge idea in favor of whole boat as system 37 yo and expensive to fix. These selfcontained units only $1600 and if they die no biggy to replace. I took put hw heater so that sounds like a good place to put it. quote:Originally posted by butch Capt Frank, I would think it's a lot of lift with normal pumps to reach the bridge and could be a priming issue. I still have both old system with original air handlers and have replaced both compressors , I built a shelf forward of the port motor and out board ( under the sink in the bielge ) and mounted both compressors on the shelf . Out of the way easy to service and look like new after 5 to 7 years. Not sure about the ducking on a self contained unit but think may be room behind cabinets . Good luck and stay cool!

asher · Post by **asher** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:18 pm

I may be stating the obvious, but if you put the unit where butch has his you will have to go back to the split unit systems. The self contained units must be installed outside of the engine room unless it is totally sealed off from any "engine room gasses" because of carbon monoxide, yadda yadda yadda. Jon, did you place the unit in the full size hanging locker across from the head or in the little storage locker behind the mirror across from the head? I hadn't considered the smaller space until just now and it seems to be a pretty perfect space for a self contained.

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:44 am

Yup cant do that in engine room and seems camt hookup return outside engine compartment. So probably putting it in that full size closet across from head quote:Originally posted by asher I may be stating the obvious, but if you put the unit where butch has his you will have to go back to the split unit systems. The self contained units must be installed outside of the engine room unless it is totally sealed off from any "engine room gasses" because of carbon monoxide, yadda yadda yadda. Jon, did you place the unit in the full size hanging locker across from the head or in the little storage locker behind the mirror across from the head? I hadn't considered the smaller space until just now and it seems to be a pretty perfect space for a self contained.

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:16 pm

Ok we replaced it with a self contained unit Same location as Joe in the closet across from head but behind the peg board so you don't see it and it goes into the compartment to the right under the sink. Fits nicely. We made a platform and its up a little but we get the 5gal a minute required to cool it. We removed the old fire suppression system tank that was there to make the room available. We had already removed the oven do ducked it to location where the oven was and now a microwave. And went behind all the closets to the vbunk and removed the old evaporator and just ducked it into to the old vents in the front closet. Ok it look like 18hrs to engineer and install but makes the main cabin cooler than before. So have some stuff like cruisair manual control evaporator and 1 compressor that was working fine if anyone needs some replacements. Leaving the bridge evap and controls in for now

asher · Post by **asher** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 7:35 pm

Awesome! What unit did you end up buying and did you take any pics?

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 2:27 pm

got the webasto 16K unit http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?nam ... id=1833570 I'll take some pics when I'm at the boat next quote:Originally posted by asher Awesome! What unit did you end up buying and did you take any pics?

captfrank · Post by **captfrank** » Sat Aug 12, 2017 2:34 pm

I took some pics. Did not see how to post them here. Just email me and I'll email you the pics quote:Originally posted by captfrank got the webasto 16K unit http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?nam ... id=1833570 I'll take some pics when I'm at the boat next quote:Originally posted by asher Awesome! What unit did you end up buying and did you take any pics? 1980 35ft Bertram "Bail Out" Indian River

asher · Post by **asher** » Sun Aug 13, 2017 3:54 pm

I know the email function on here doesn't work. Mine is asher.j.johnson@gmail.com