[C320-list] Air Conditioning

Warren Updike wupdike at hotmail.com
Thu Jun 6 19:40:37 PDT 2013


12k vs 16k?  I have to admit the 16k will handle high load conditions better
than the 12K, stands to reason.  It is simply a judgment call.  The 16
Cruiseair unit is about an inch taller than the 12k and we didn't want to
give up that in the bread box.  Also, as was brought to our attention by
Denny at Annapolis Cruiseair, many AC units don't deliver their rated output
- a problem well known with many products we buy.  He assured us that this
unit had been completely redesigned by Dometic to perform to specs.  There
are also other points such as the non-metallic condensate pan designed to
deliver nearly all of the condensate to the drain. It won't rust, it won't
spill.

We installed a venturi type valve that pulls the condensate from the pan and
incorporates it into the overboard discharge. I tested this recently by
pouring a cup of water into the condensate pan. The water was quickly pulled
out by the venturi action leaving the pan nearly dry.  Of course the innate
port list helped encourage the water to leave the pan. (:>)

Only time will tell if we made the right choice.  Denny was quite confident
that the 12k would do the job.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: Kirk Mueller [mailto:kirkm753 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 2:21 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning

I feel your pain.   I've had the boat for three months and it hasn't left
the slip.   -:)

Kirk
On Jun 6, 2013 1:01 PM, "Wash, Steve" <wash at advantageelectronics.com> wrote:

> Kirk,
>
> Not yet.  It usually just the 2 of us and the door stays open.  The 
> louvers are on the endless things to do to the boat list - LOL.
>
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com [mailto:
> c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Kirk Mueller
> Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 12:19 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning
>
> Great information Steve.   Did you put some louvers in the aft cabin door
> so you can close it and still have air circulate?
>
> Regards,
>
> Kirk
> On Jun 6, 2013 11:45 AM, "Wash, Steve" <wash at advantageelectronics.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi Kirk,
> >
> > A large intake is located at the foot of the bed (a bit left of center).
> >  To the right of that is a pretty small discharge.  I located it 
> > about
> 12"
> > over (I think).  It is only 3x5 inches or so.  I didn't want it at 
> > the head of the bed blowing on us.  I kept it small so the intake 
> > wouldn't just suck the cool air back into the intake.  The discharge 
> > has the usual louvers that permit us to aim it up and forward to 
> > discourage this.  Since the return is in the aft berth, we also get 
> > cool air from the salon through the door.  The 'Y' junction used in 
> > the installation has a diverter to help balance the flow.  I haven't 
> > had a need to adjust it from the default 50% position.
> >
> > I'll be at the boat this weekend and take a picture ...  The 
> > discharge in the aft berth is probably more useful when heating.
> >
> > Steve
> > #1029
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com [mailto:
> > c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Kirk Mueller
> > Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 10:49 AM
> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning
> >
> > Hey Steve,
> >
> > Where in the aft berth did you put the discharge?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Kirk
> > Second Chance #361
> > Rock Hall, MD
> >
> > Sent from a tin can with a very long string. :-)
> >
> >
> > On Jun 6, 2013, at 9:43 AM, "Wash, Steve"
> > <wash at advantageelectronics.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > HI,
> > > We have a 16K Marine Air unit  - reverse cycle (Port Lazarette).  
> > > It has
> > been a great choice given the last 2 summers on Lake Michigan have 
> > seen many days in the 90's.  It cools down very quickly. We have a 
> > large discharge over the 'bread box' in the salon and a small 
> > discharge in the aft berth.
> > >
> > > The single 30A service has been mostly adequate.  We have blown 
> > > the
> > breaker on the rare occasion the A/C, microwave and water heater are 
> > on at the same time.
> > >
> > > Good luck with your project.
> > >
> > > Steve
> > >
> > > #1029
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Rick 
> > > Sulewski
> > > Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 11:30 PM
> > > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> > > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning
> > >
> > > I concur on the 16K AC/Heat unit selection as it may cycle less 
> > > and will
> > more rapidly reach the target temperature. With a 16K unit we can 
> > come & go with the companionway open for extended periods on 
> > hot/humid days because the AC unit begins to noticeably  recover the 
> > target temperature in just a few minutes. The 16K unit will also 
> > cool down the entire boat without having to partition off the 
> > v-berth or aft cabin. The difference between the 12K and 16K unit 
> > was only $200 just a
> few years ago.
> > > Rick
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
> > > mtpoodles
> > > Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 8:58 PM
> > > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> > > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning
> > >
> > > The 16,000 btu unit has been a good choice.  I know you will like it.
> > >
> > > Diane
> > >
> > > Marshall & Diane Lucas and
> > > The Merrythought Poodles
> > > S/V Merrythought
> > > Catalina 320 #1037
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Kirk 
> > > Mueller
> > > Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 4:04 PM
> > > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> > > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning
> > >
> > > Hey Diane,
> > >
> > > Annapolis Cruisair suggested the 16,000 btu single unit.
> > >
> > > Thanks for the feedback.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Kirk
> > >
> > > Sent from a tin can with a very long string. :-)
> > >
> > >
> > > On Jun 5, 2013, at 3:59 PM, Diane <mtpoodles at atlanticbb.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Annapolis Cruisair also did our AC system. It is just as Allan 
> > >> described
> > > as far as ducting. However, our single unit is 16,000 btu. The v 
> > > berth
> > door does get closed in hot weather. The system works very well for 
> > both AC and heat.
> > >>
> > >> Diane
> > >>
> > >> Allan S Field <allan.field at verizon.net> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Kirk - We went with Annapolis CruisAir about 10 years ago and 
> > >>> have never had a problem with the unit.  We went with a 12,000 BTU
unit.
> > >>> The compressor is in the port side locker.  The outflow vent is 
> > >>> above and to port of the cabinet above the refrigerator.  The 
> > >>> return is at the foot of the aft cabin bunk.  The pump and water 
> > >>> inflow thru-hull are under the aft cabin bunk close to the fresh
> water pump.
> > >>>
> > >>> When it gets really hot, like over 95 degrees, we close off the 
> > >>> V-berth. (We removed the aft cabin door years ago.)  But the A/C 
> > >>> will cool the boat down even on those days with the V-berth 
> > >>> cabin door open.  It just won't get it much below about 72 when 
> > >>> the sun is shining brightly and it's over 95.
> > >>> We
> > >>> recently bought the Hatch-Hoodie to put over the forward hatch 
> > >>> but have not yet tried it out on the really hot days.  
> > >>> Regardless, very few people, other than our grandsons when they 
> > >>> were younger, ever sleep in the V-berth.
> > >>>
> > >>> We had a choice between a 16,000 BTU system (which we looked at 
> > >>> on another
> > >>> C320) and the 12,000.  The 16,000 is a "split-system" meaning 
> > >>> there are
> > >>> 2
> > >>> compressor units and it takes up  a lot of space, plus needs ducts.
> > >>> We have never regretted going with the 12,000.  As for the head, 
> > >>> several years ago we put a hook-and-eye on the door with the eye 
> > >>> on the inside frame and the hook on the inside of the door so we 
> > >>> can prop the door open a few inches when we are off the boat 
> > >>> plus cool or warm the head when the AC/heat pump is running.
> > >>>
> > >>> This upgrade was the best thing we ever did on the boat.  It 
> > >>> really turned the boat into a summer home for us with a view 
> > >>> that if we get tired of, we can change!  The heating cycle also 
> > >>> opens up March and November for staying on the boat.  August is 
> > >>> not a particularly sailor-friendly month on the Chesapeake but 
> > >>> that does not stop us from going down to the boat for the weekend.
> > >>>
> > >>> Hope this helps!
> > >>>
> > >>> Allan S. Field
> > >>> Sea Shadow - #808
> > >>> Columbia, MD
> > >>>
> > >>> -----Original Message-----
> > >>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > >>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
> > >>> Kirk Mueller
> > >>> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 11:44 AM
> > >>> To: C320-list at catalina320.com
> > >>> Subject: [C320-list] Air Conditioning
> > >>>
> > >>> Hi All,
> > >>>
> > >>> Has anyone recently installed A/C in their boat.  If so, what 
> > >>> type and size?
> > >>> Where did they put the unit, the supply ducts and the return?
> > >>>
> > >>> Thanks,
> > >>>
> > >>> Kirk Mueller
> > >>> Second Chance #361
> > >>> Rock Hall, MD
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>





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