Removable A/C for TomCats

[drjohn71a]

Finally got it figured out. The older, 9,000 Btu 'test' unit was not enough to cool down on a humid, mid 90's day. I found a new 12,000 Btu unit at Pep Boys for $479. They have a 9,000 Btu unit for $379. I know, alot more than those cheap, 5,000 Btu window units, BUT - no holes, no screws, very quiet, lightweight, etc..

The newer, 12k unit acutally uses LESS electricity than my old 9k unit did: 965 Watts, 8.5 amps running and about 15.3 amps starting, using a delayed start, rotary compressor. The newer unit is also smaller and lighter, and comes with built-in Ground Fault interuption circuit. It has HEPA and Carbon filters, as well as wheels to wheel it up and down the dock.

The newer unit DOES NOT NEED A CONDENSATE DRAIN HOSE. It can clear 64 pints of water per day thru the evaporative, hot air discharge. Soooo, no holes in your boat!

The plastic window flanges that come with it (they give you three) can fit into the normal sliding windows, or can be cut to fit the TomCat's screen flanges on the forward bunk ports. I just cut out an upward offset hole in a piece cut to fit the screen template and glued the tube fitting to that. Very easy to place and remove from the window.

Although I don't foresee trying to use the A/C during a storm at sea, I'm trying to figure out how to put a cowling over that exhaust setup to deflect water.

Anyway, the 12,000 Btu is working well without any extra insulation at this point. The whole unit can easily be removed and wheeled down the dock to the truck for winter.

John

[drjohn71a]

'Don't know how to post photos. They are in Tom-a-Hawk's album under A/C. John

[Alok]

John:

Are you running this off a generator? If so, which one?

Is the unit thermostatically controlled? If so, can the generator handle stop-and-start actiion?

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Dr. John,

How much noise does that unit make? Could you sleep with it on that close to the front berth? (Assuming plugged in at a dock; not sure I'd be comfortable with the generator running all night.) Inquiring minds (who are also light sleepers) want to know.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[DaveS]

[JamesTXSD]

[Dora~Jean]

I'm a light sleeper too -- ever since my stint in the Air Force(!). After going through about 20 brands of ear plugs I have two favorites, a 20dB (NRR - Noise Reduction Rating) and a 28dB set.

Unfortunately, the 20dB brand "Quiet Down" went out of business, they were made in the Netherlands I think. These were the most comfortable ear plugs I've ever experienced, I'd say undetectable, and I have sensitive ears. There is even a web site of angry customers that want someone to pick up the patent and start up again.

The 28dB ones are made by 3M, Nexcare. These are about 90% undetectable, quite acceptable. My only complaint is they're a little TOO QUIET when at anchor, I want to hear subtle noises that I might need to hear!

But that's how I'd deal with the noise, not sure though I'd like a gas operated anything running all night while asleep...

[thataway]

We have never let a generator run at night--even diesel. We will cool down the boat and then turn off the AC/Gen set (We did have one 5,000 BTU AC unit which we ran on an inverter for about 4 hours)--but I will not go to sleep with the genset on--I've seen too many accidents, involving CO, --even Diesels produce some CO.

We cruised for many years in the tropics with no AC on sail boats--always anchoring out--having wind scoops and fans. A few nights were uncomfortable--but one adopts. The only bad nights were in marinas where there was no breeze....

[drjohn71a]

The rotary compressor is a smooth, non-irritating sound. I have fallen asleep while reading, leaning back on the unit. I like some 'white sound' background at the marinas to block out the loud stereos, drunks and yokels who happen by now and then. The air flow is the loudest part, but can be turned down easily electronically.

I don't like to totally block my hearing, but my sis, who's an on call nurse, sleeps with ear plugs routinely.

Genset considerations: You are all welcome to wade in on this. I've got to decide in a week or so.

1 - The Honda 2000 appears to be capable of running this 12k Btu unit. It draws 15.3 starting and the 2000 seems rated for 16.6 amps continuous - If I'm remembering that correctly.

2 - The Honda 3000 could run that A/C at half speed or less, at 49 db and over 7 hours running time.

3 - Two of the Honda 2000's, with a 30 amp connector set, and two remote tanks could provide more power than the 3000. However, that's alot of loose hardware to move and tie down, and it would cost hundreds more than just one Honda 3000. Also, both 2000s would have to be kept running all the time in that setup (I think). Also, they are hand cranking and more easily stolen due to lightweight.

4 - For all these last decades, I've never run a marine generator at night. I do run the RV genset at night. My main heat concern is mid-afternoon on the water, and plugged in at the dock.

I've read about the Yamaha units, but they are a bit heavier. One uses the starting battery to increase the starting amps available for A/C units, but that costs almost a grand more than a Honda 3000 which could handle starts easily w/o using the battery.


Share your experiences and readings, please.

John

[thataway]

The deal killer for us on the Honda 3000 is the weight--135 lbs dry! Not sure about the 49 dB--that is at 1/4 load or near idle. The Honda 2000 will run a long time on the six gallon tank--far longer than the 3000 on its internal tank. We choose the Honda 2000 because of weight and reliablitiy. Get one of those $30- Kill-a-watts and check out the current draw--that is what did for the Polar 8300 we use.

You can run 2 of the 2000's off one fuel tank. But the cost goes up a bit--and again the place to put two of them. I am sure that the Yahama units are also just as good as the Honda--again the weight is a bit against them, but we are very sensative about weight because of our back problems.

[Sea Wolf]

I was at a Yamaha dealer today and took a very quick look at the Yamaha 2400 generator.

It's a very high quality unit, and very attractive, but trying to pick it up is quite a chore as compared with one of the Hondas.

My EU 1000i weighs just 29 lbs, and the EU 2000 46. By comparison, the Yamaha 2400 weighs a whopping 70 lbs!

For me at least, the Yamaha is a much better candidate for a permanent or semi-permanent mounting. There's no way I could heft it out over the transom or even want to carry it out a transom door to the swimstep!

Joe.

[drjohn71a]

Thanks, guys.... where do you think I could find a $30 Kill o watts meter? Looks like the Honda 2000 is leading candidate right now.

John

[Doryman]

[drjohn71a]

I had not thought the 2000 was too heavy at 47 pounds...

What would be the maximum starting amps and the running amps on the twin 1000 Honda setup?

John

[Doryman]