Air Conditioning 2

williamsburg · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:12 pm Post subject: Air Conditioning 2

I sort of got lost in the topic I began. Anyway, for those who wanted to see photos of the Soleus Portable Air Conditioner on the C-Dory 22, please go to my web page
http://members.cox.net/rlampert3/index.html
There are pictures of how I handled the condensate and the vent duct.

Adeline · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:37 am Post subject:

HarryW · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:52 am Post subject: Air Conditioning 2

Nice clean installation. I went through a similar thing last year with our small coleman popup camper. We went with a Haier unit that has two hoses, one for exhaust and one for intake, these units are more efficient than the single hose units since they use outside air to cool the condenser. Also, there is virtually no problem with condensate since most of the moisture is vented outside. On the negative side, you have two bulky hoses to contend with.

Salty Dog · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:38 am Post subject:

williamsburg,
Thanks for the pictures. Great looking install. I assume you leave the a/c unit in place while running in the boat? How does the a/c unit ride in chop? Did you secure it down to the floor somehow? Also, do you still have enough leg room to sit at the table? Neat idea you have there. I'd prefer to not cut a hole in the roof, so I'm intrigued with this idea.

Jack

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:41 am Post subject:

flagold · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:09 am Post subject:

I'm going to take a look at the Haier and see what it would take to plumb the smallest unit under the sink, drop the exhaust through the bilge or cable opening etc. I only need it at night, so would simply open the cabinet when it's needed.

http://www.epinions.com/HAIER_7000_BTU_Portable_Air_Conditioner

williamsburg · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: Air Conditioning 2

Both dinette seats are still usable but there is limited room. You can slide the unit to one side or the other. Using a single seat (fore or aft) is fine. I store my storm ropes and other items I seldom use in the hatch beneath the unit. We have had no problem with movement of the unit while underway in modest a modest chop (1' - 2') on the bay.
All of the vent items are included with the Soleus. The window vent platen only has to be cut to size. Actually, not much to it if you make an accurate outline of the window opening and allow 3/16" margins.
Finally, the question of whether or not I would make the same decision. The Soleus certainly has limitations and I was disappointed in its cooling when the sun is beating down on the boat. It does reduce humidity making a fan seem to cool better, but it does not do much for reducing the interior temperature. However, when the sun goes down it becomes more efficient in cooling - and certainly improves sleeping conditions. We always stay in marinas so electrical power is not a problem. We spend many weekends marina hopping, so for this reason alone I would make the same purchase. During the day we visit the pool, or air conditioned marina club houses, or members of our boating group with large boats and a gazillion BTU's.
Other methods of air conditioning had, for us, greater complications or disadvantages - so the portable unit was the best of limited choices. We were worried about the cosmetic changes with the camper top units so vanity made this our second choice.
I hope someone can find the ideal solution.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:09 am Post subject:

We made a trip to Lowe's yesterday to check on that Soleus unit. The only one they had was 10,000 btu and the salesperson said that was all that was available. It was huge; no way it would fit under the table. We are "cooling our heels", visiting our daughter and son-in-law in Phoenix while we wait for the completion of our boat. It was 116º yesterday... so I guess we were able to find a place that IS hotter than south Texas! Shocked

I am told it is more comfortable because "it is a dry heat." Right. Much like saying, "yeah, being sick isn't so bad because I only have the DRY heaves." It's rather creepy to me: you hardly sweat, but it's like standing in an oven. At least on the Texas Gulf Coast, there is a seabreeze. Needless to say, this air-conditioning thread has really caught our attention.

Another option: go where the weather suits my clothes. I think the migrating birds have the right idea. Wink

Any other airconditioning ideas would be warmly appreciated.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:48 am Post subject:

I use those little portable a/c units in my old farmhouse. About 1/3 to 1/4 of the base is used to house the removable water collection tank. One could easily just cut that part off and use the provided 1/2 " drain line. I have the drains running thru the wall along with the air tube.

These are amazingly good units for a house where rare use of extra rooms is involved and I am using a 7,000 btu unit in my bedroom now in 110 degree heat and it gets cold. If I could see a way to use something like this in my tug I would. The TomCat, however, has that neat, high and wide roof which seems to be begging for a roof air unit to my thinking. John

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:00 pm Post subject:

Clarification: I put the portable a/c units on an end table so the water drain tube and vent can drain together in some rooms and in others, run a 5/8" hole thru the wall for the drain under the window which houses the vent tube. John

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

Also, James, TX, I had a small, old houseboat with a cabin near the size of the TomCat. I put a Coleman, slo=start, or soft start, 13,500 Btu roof unit on it to replace the old roof air unit. Both were 13,500 Btu and both couldnot keep up on a high 90's, sunny day. The inside temp could get to low 80's inside which is better than nothing. So that big unit could carry about a 20 degree drop. I am thinking a cabin the size of the TomCat would have to have at least a 13,500 Btu unit to do much good on the average summer day on the Texas Coast. Just my experience. John