Trojan Boat Forum

anyone use one of these thingies? if so, do they actually help with the comfort level in the cabin?

i apparently have an AC unit that's working it's butt off to keep the cabin cool, and it's only keeping it less hot than an oven. i was thinking of investing into a dehumidifier...if it would make a difference.

opinions?

Have you had the A/C checked? Sound like you have a malfunction somewhere.

I put a portable unit in mine until I can afford to replace the factory unit. It works pretty good in my tri-cabin and was only $300. You might want to try something like it.

I bet you need a charge.

if you will stick a thermometer in the ac air output register and see what the temp is, the air blowing out should be about 15-20 degrees cooler than the outside air if the cruisair is working properly. you should be able to get the cabin temp down to 75 easily (maybe not real easy on some of our recent days but is should get there) under the covered slip. if your temp reading cannot get the air the 15-20 degrees less than the outside it isnt working at its best. you may also need to look at the return air duct to the unit and make sure the coils (fins) where the filter or the coils may be dirty inhibiting your air flow. may need to clean the coils or check the screen (filter) my cruisair book reccomends only household metal bug screen as the filter.if you dont have anything then you can bet the coils are dirty. if you will look at it you may see that it is very dirty considering the guy before you owned the boat didnt do a lot of maintance to things. if you will find the condensing coil ( where the ac water pump is circulating the water into probably outside under the cockpit) looking at the unit where the small copper lines go ito it. on the left side is the suction line and it should be cold to the touch and probably sweating to also indicate the unit is properly charged. if it is warm the unit is for sure low on freon. my cruisair is a split system i am going on the assumption that yours is also. meaning i have the condensing coil under the cockpit between the gas tanks and the other coil (evaporator)in the salon with a slave unit in the v berth. the cruisair ac will dehumidify the boat if working you would not really need a extra dehumidifer.the lake getting warmer is also not helping the cruisair work at optimum because there is not as great of temp change across the coil as the the water is warmer. if it was cooler the water would pull more heat off and the ac would cool better.our boats arent really insulated very well or at all so it does tax the unit when outside in the sun for sure. but you need to check these things to see what condtioin your unit may be in

I agree with g36, you should be able to get the temp down if the unit is working properly, and then you wouldn`t need the dehumidifier. As mentioned, there are several things you can check yourself before calling in a technician. Dust, hair, dirt etc. is a big one. Also make sure you`re getting propper water flow, and that the fan is actually up to speed. Check that your temp probe is still where it should be (depends on unit) and hasn`t fallen out or broken off.