Air conditioning options for CD 22 or Venture 23

[ssobol]

I have a window AC unit that fits the center window of my CD22. The unit sits on the floor of the cabin just aft of where the porta-potti sits when not in use. Having this unit allows the AC system to be left at home when not needed.

I use split pipe insulation around the edges of the window to block the gap. I also put some runners on the bottom of the unit (from PVC lumber) that has a notch cut into them to grab the window frame. There is another piece cut that goes outside the window on the top of the trunk to support the back end of the unit. I have to disconnect the window strut from the frame to fit my AC unit. However, this allows the strut to hold the window fully open by putting the end on the top of the trunk.

I used to boat in the mid-Atlantic region. While it does not get as hot as the SW, the humidity is brutal in the summer. The window unit worked pretty well to cool and dehumidify the cabin, but it helped to put the window shades up on the sunny side of the boat.

I can run my AC unit off my Honda EU1000 without any problems.

One thing to keep in mind is that these small AC units get some of their cooling by slinging water. As the run, the condensate is collected in the bottom of the unit for the fan to pick up and sling. Some small units have drains to dump excess water, some don't. If you have a unit without a drain you are likely to get wet picking the unit up if you don't keep it level. One unit I had did have a drain which I could connect a hose to that allowed water to drain overboard. The current unit does not have a drain so I added a small drain valve that allows me to dump the water before moving the unit.

The opening to the window on a 22 is not that big. AC units in the 5000BTU units will fit, but you should measure to be sure. I did buy one once that did not fit and had to be exchanged.

Mechanical controls on the unit are probably better than electronic controls because the power supply may not be that stable.

Since the AC unit mounted in the window tends to blow to the back of the cabin, I have a 12v fan that is positioned in the berth entry to blow the cabin air into the berth when sleeping. This works very well.

Yes, this AC installation can look a bit kludged together if you are concerned with appearances. Me, I just enjoy the cold cabin.

[thataway]

[ssobol]

[-Waypoint-]

I installed the easy starter in the rooftop ac. I did this install for a smaller Generac 2000EU generator. The Generac would not start the ac even with this. I believe that Generac inflated the numbers on this generator. So I bit the bullet and went for the new Honda 2200EU. After watch reviews on youtube about the Honda, it appears that it will start and run a 13,500 btu roof top ac with out the Easy Start installed. I haven't tested this, because there are advantages with having the easy starter other than for the generator and kept it in the ac unit.

[daninPA]

[thataway]

[daninPA]

[-Waypoint-]

I don't think the easy start prolongs the life of the ac. It means that it's easy on the start up amperage draw. The advantage of having one is that you can run your big rooftop ac on a standard 15 amp 120v plug without popping the breaker. So no need for 30amp service at the dock or campground anymore. The Honda app on my phone shows start up 300 amps. for the fan, then slowly starts the compressor and brings everything up to 1586 amps. This takes up to 3-4 seconds for the ac to fully come up to the full draw. The hotter it is outside the harder the compressor is to start.

[daninPA]

[thataway]

[-Waypoint-]

Sorry watts not amps.

[ssobol]

The Dometic website says that the 2000 model needs 19 amps in ECO mode and the 1000 model only needs 18 amps in ECO mode.

These units are around $3000.

[daninPA]

[daninPA]

[daninPA]