Trojan Boat Forum

Hi all,

The other day my wife and I went to the boat, but it was hot and Gloria just didn't enjoy herself because of the heat.

So I decided to do something I have been thinking about doing for about a year now,,,,installing my 5000 BTU AC in the bow where the wall is that has the access door to the rode storage area.

After removing the door, it took a lot for me to make that first cut to enlarge the opening to allow the AC to fit.

Today I got it installed and also cut a hole on the outside bow to install a 6" access hatch to allow the heat from the AC to escape when running it.

I did a test run and every thing worked perfectly. I closed up the windows and cabin door, turned on the AC and in no time it was cool inside.

I went out on the bow, and could feel the warm air escaping nicely from the hatch. I let it run for over an hour with no trouble and the air coming from the AC was fridged.

I then went home to give the good news to my wife, and get the trim material to give the job a nice finished look.

Of course, we can't run it on open water, but while at the dock, it will be a lot more comfortable for my lady.

Larry

Sounds great. Must be nice to retire to the cabin in cool comfort. Yep, if ya wanna go boating a lot, ya gotta keep mamma happy!

Sounds like you solved your problem successfully. You know the old saying, when momma isn't happy - ain't nobody happy!

I know that the Nashville area gets very humid in the summertime so AC is a welcome addition. I installed a portable 10,000 BTU unit in our salon until I can afford to get our Marine Air unit fixed and it sure helps on very hot days.

When she's happy, I get to play with my toys!!

I have the cabin comfort enclosed box under the V Berth - and it really is not cooling as it should. So I was thinking of getting one if those stand up Haier models with the exhaust 5" hose. And was wondering where to exhaust the air. Hod did you do this again? I am not big on cutting a hole on the deck though.

I have a Marine AC guy coming out to check on it... but with the temps running as they are.. he is kind of backed up.. and I am planning one step ahead in case he says - you need a compressor. AC is only used at the dock anyway.

I used a regular window, 5000 btu, AC. I think it cost new about $150.00. I took the door off the wall at the end of the "V" birth that opens up into the anchor rope storage area. I then made a frame using 2 x 4 wood that I mounted on the inside of the storage area, and will not be seen after the window unit is installed. Made it about 1/8" larger than the dimension of the AC housing, so the AC will slide into it, but not to sloppy. I'm going to use metal angle pieces to mount the AC to the frame, two on each side of the AC housing, keeping it secure.

I bought a 6" access hatch (round) from West Marine, I think it was about $10.00, then cut a hole to fit it on the outside of the bow over the anchor rope storage area, which after removing the lid, will allow the exhaust air from the AC to escape. When AC is not being used, I simply screw the lid back in place.
I looked into the marine AC's, and they were way to costly for my small budget to even consider.
As soon as I get the finish trim installed around the AC, in a few days, I will post pictures of the AC and the hatch.

A couple of weeks ago, I installed the stereo my son gave me for Christmas and put the speakers on each side, on the outside. I will now get two more speakers and install them on the wall on each side of the AC, in the cabin.

Larry

larglo wrote:I will now get two more speakers and install them on the wall on each side of the AC, in the cabin.Larry

Are the backs of these speakers going to be in the same air space as the exhaust from the AC?
If so I would consider surface mounting them in the cabin.

Come to think of it,,,they will be. Perhaps I should go to the wall mount type?

Any one else think this would hurt the speakers?


Larry

Since that will be a very high heat area and probably very humid I would think that the potential for harming the speakers is certainly there. Corrosion may be one of the biggest problems.

Just my 2c.

What do you plan to do with the moisture removed from the cabin that will be dumped into the anchor locker? Is there a drain in there already?

k9th wrote:What do you plan to do with the moisture removed from the cabin that will be dumped into the anchor locker? Is there a drain in there already?

If it is anything like my F32 the air space continues behind the side panels in my V berth.
Some months ago this was discussed and back then I suggested placement in the anchor locker would end up being a problem and likely to cause mold with all the negative problems of that I would not want it anywhere near the air I breathe!
Back then I suggested one of those stand up units with a hose that vents outside for use when at the dock and leave it in a box on the dock when out.
I can't remember if this was in answer to Larry's questions back then but think it was.........
I hate taking shortcuts to save money they always end up costing me more!!

This was the main reason I have put off installing the AC where I did. The moisture from the AC will simply go into the bilge below, where each time I look there, it always has a little water in it.

No more than the AC will run when we're there and such a small space to cool, so not to run the compressor that much, I can't see that the fraction of extra water or moisture that is produced could add that much a problem toward mold. I see no evidence of any mold now, with the water that is always there.

But, I will keep an eye on things, and may get a larger 9" x 12" access panel to cure any problem if it arises. I have thought of installing another bilge exhaust blower to really pull the warm air out? That would really be simple to do at this point. I have an extra one now, so will look into that right away.

Larry

So moisture is not a problem for that type AC.

As far as the anchor locker, I would think there is some sort of drainage capability. With the hot exhaust air, it may be enough to keep that area from molding.

I am worried about putting a 6'' diameter hole in the bow decking.

IF I go with the stand up model. I may just vent it through the plywood flooring where the Cabin Comfort is sitting now and see what happens. Maybe the hot air will find its way back and out and keep the bilge bone dry from the hot air.

I got a quote for a 9,000 BTU Marine Air system with T-stat/control, plenum and duct work for $4570.00. And that did not include the "cabinetry" or the electrical work for the A/C box.

That 9,000 BTU Haier from Home Dept for $259.00 is looking worth a crap shoot if my Cabin Comfort is kaput.

Sounds pretty cool, Larry.... little pun there for ya.