Install AC

[twellsjd]

Anyone have AC installed aftermarket? Any advice?

[goboatingnow]

I've done it small system though. What are you considering.

Dave

[twellsjd]

Installing a system that will keep a Hunter 36 cool in the carribean.

[gonesail]

you are thinking of installing a permanent solution? always remember the saying: measure twice (or 3 times) and cut once. most important is where will the AC fit and how do you run the ducts. then you need a source and exit for the water pump along with a 15 amp power source. i installed a unit from mermaid air but think you should consider coastalclimatecontrol.com as another source. you might also consider having a sun awning for your boat.

[Eric M]

We too have a mermaid system and definately like it for hot nights at the dock. Install the system as far as possible from the cabin you sleep in and then run a duct all the way to the cabin so that you can close the door (even new the units are not whisper quiet) and still have cool air in your cabin. Our 16K BTU system does well on our IP35 here in FL.

[osirissail]

It is not a major project to install an air conditioner as an after market item. The key to success is taking the time to match the unit and its "footprint" to your available space.
- - Normally in a new boat like the Hunter there is already a "place" and some circuitry factory installed for an air conditioner. You just have to find it and then match the space to a unit.
- - The new a/c units come in a wide variety of "foot prints" and heating/cooling cycles. This is the part that takes the time - finding out what the Hunter factory used. The rest is simple and straight forward.
- - On the other hand for a boat in an area that does not need an air conditioner for most of the year, you can modify a "window air conditioner" from Home Depot or similar type place. Then place it over a convenient hatch in the cabin roof-top and use a tarp or similar type material to "seal it" in place. These type units are extremely efficient and economically priced. The big plus is you can remove it from the boat during the season or days you do not need it; keep it in your car/truck until your return back with the boat; and /or store it in a locker or v-berth when you take it with you during the summer months.
- - No matter which way you go, you will need an 120VAC power source to run the air conditioner which means a genset built-in to the boat or a Honda 2000eu external genset on deck plugged into the shore power system. There's no getting around that requirement that I know of. Air conditioners draw too much "start-up" power each time they Kick-in so an inverter cannot be efficiently utilized unless you had a battery bank near equal to the weight of the Hunter 36 ( a little exaggeration there, but you get the point.)