12Volt Swamp Cooler

M

maryvmcclain

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C Dory Year
2006
C Dory Model
23 Venture
Vessel Name
Freedom
Hi everyone, today we were at Lake Mead in 102-108 degree weather. I really want an air conditioner! (but Rob says he doesn't think one will fit in the cape cruiser window which is basically square.. I don't know if it is the same as a C-22). Anyway, "its a dry heat"... do you think these DC swamp coolers would work at all? They are lightweight and small.... I know, it won't get really cold like a window air conditioner but.... what do you think?

http://www.swampy.net/boat-air-conditioner.html
 
I tried a portable 120 volt swamp cooler at Lake Shasta a few years back in my Sea Ray.

Wouldn't put out air any cooler than about 85 degrees F. Not effective enough!

Much more refreshing to put on a swim suit and dump a bucket of water over yourself on the swim step, or just jump in the lake. Repeat at 15 minute intervals.

Second alternative is cheaper, too! And doesn't require electricity! :lol:

Joe: 0 Kiss Principle: 1

:teeth :thup
 
I had one of these, you can fill them wth ice and they blow 32 degrees, consumption of ice is high, depending on outside temperature. Well built, fan is 3 high speed ball bearing fans stacked together, and ice water is circulated thru heat exchanger by a small rule bilge pump in the sump. Not too hard to build yourself, you can find small heat exchangers on eBay.
Roger
 
WE have the same cape cruiser 06 we open the front window and undue the 2 struts then a 5000 btu a/c does fit (frgidear). I'm not sure if I have any pictures . If you are going to be in hot weather all the time you might consider a roof (rv) typeDSC00055.sized.jpg
 
We're using the same air conditioner on Journey On for the mid-west heat wave. It will run with the Honda 1000i, which is why we have it. At the present marina power is running it. It was 101 yesterday and the device kept the inside barely liveable. It does well on the off hours and at night.

It fits in the front window, just open the window till it's level. It's width is 16", height 11". The window on Journey On is 22"x16", so it fits nicely. I made a wood spacer to fit over the lower window sill, to keep it from being damaged. Weighs about 30 lbs. Once it's in the window, I put towels around it to seal the holes and make sure it's tipped forward so the condensate goes outside. Ugly but cool. Yes, foam would be better.

Boris
 
swamp coolers depend on low humidity--and injecting moisture into the air to cool. In dry desert they work fairly well. Not quite so well on lakes.

I suspect you can "duct" one of the small AC units (I have one on the 22, and used one on the 25). One secret is to put the reflective bubble wrap (Home Depot) in all windows. We use "Fun Noodles" cut in shapes and sizes to seal off the edges of the AC unit.
 
If I've posted this twice, sorry... I whined enough and got the Frigidare 5000 btu. The box says you need 23" of width in the window, we have only 16 wide 15 tall window on our Cape Cruise. It may not fit, but we looked at one unboxed and the actual width of the unit (at least the front part) is about 15 inches... so at least the front will fit.

I'm not too sure about the strut/braces that hold the window up. Does this mean we have to dismantle the braces every time we want to use the air conditioning... Is there some kind of brilliant quick release fix that someone has come up with? many thanks for info on how to install support. I love the idea of fun noodles as insulation :)

Mary McClain
 
IMG_5282.sized.jpg

This is a small 5000 BTU unit I got at Walmart for $80. I think its a Haier unit. The pic is on a TomCat. I built a platform from starboard and Dixie sewed a shroud that attaches to the window cover snaps.

IMG_5280.sized.jpg

Inside view. It runs from the Honda gen. or shore power.
 
Yes you have to take struts apart I now use s/s wing nuts very easy to do We use plumbing noodles and towels to fill in window looks a little hillbilly but it works for the few nights we stay out .

The best way is just cut that 12by 12 or 14by 14 hole on the roof and add rv a/c 13000 does wonders . If my wife wanted to do more camping I would do that .check Will-c pictures
 
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