Small boat A/C

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:26 pm

This one's been looked at before as well. Basically, there are not enough BTUs in a cooler full of ice to make much cooling. Also, you're going to pay $5-6 for a cooler full of ice, so it's not a low priced answer either.

A better use of ice is to keep your beer cold; whenever you get hot, pop another one.

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:35 pm

I just relented and bought a Honda eu1000i generator to run my companionway mounted AC unit when on the hook... Dockside, I have shore power available...

My biggest concern is going to be run time on the honda...

The AC says is uses 4.8 amps. Inrush/startup current is going really try that little Honda eu1000i. So, I may not be able to use the smart throttle feature.

Hopefully, it will run long enough to let us go to sleep in comfort. The boat will eventually heat back up, but I'm hoping that the we'll be able to sleep through the night...

Factors in out favor are the carpeted walls should give some insulation. Yeah, I know there are a whole host of issues here... The thing I'm really hanging my hat on is that it will be fighting the cooler night air, rather then sun soaked heat of the day...

If it just doesn't work out, I'll have to plum the Honda into one of the boat's tanks, so it can run all night...

Post by **kmclemore** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:00 pm

Well, here's a chiller/heater that even says it will run on the Honda EU1000i.. a bit pricey, but it's small and looks like it's fit for purpose.

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:11 pm

Yeah, it says it pulls 4.4 amps running and 7.92 on startup. That's without the 1 amp for the pump. If the pump is running on compressor startup, then it certainly pulls more than the Honda is rated at (~8.3a max - 7.5 cont.). But, it would be real easy, I suspect, to turn the pump on after the compressor starts up...

My unit pulls 4.8 amps running. I haven't measured startup, but suspect it will be tight... Like I said, I probably wno't be able to get away with the smart throttle feature...

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:29 pm

Ahoy DLT:

Let us know how your Honda EU1000i does with that AC unit.

I recently bought a Yamaha EF1000i for the lights on the boat in the Christmas Parade and am hoping it can run a small AC if I decide to get one. It is = to the Honda. I know it will not start a 25-year old 6,000BTU unit I have on hand.

I presume you saw the info about "hard start kits" i.e. aux. capacitor, to help with the starting load.

craiglaforce · Post by **craiglaforce** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:31 am

My el cheapo 800 watt chinese generator from Bargain Jim's was able to start and run a small window unit (5500 btu I think) in my driveway for a 30 minute test tun. It was struggling though. I guess the gas tank would last about 3 hours on it at full load.

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:02 pm

Craig:

Yeaah! I used your info you posted a long time ago as part justification for the Yamaha I bought. Thanks. The Yamaha puts out 900 W continuous. I just did not want the weight of the 2000 W models.

craiglaforce · Post by **craiglaforce** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:29 pm

Cool!

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:43 pm

The Honda EU1000i runs my 5000BTU AC unit just fine, provided that you have the eco/smart throttle turned off...

If the smart throttle thing is turned on when the compressor kicks in, you'll trip something (not just a regular resettible breaker, and have to shut the generator off, then start it again...

Idle Time · Post by **Idle Time** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:56 pm

I once saw a product advertised that was for cooling tents , boats etc. anything near a stream. It had a hose that collected water from the cooler part of the stream and pumped it thru and area with a fan then discarged it overboard. Cant find it online anymore. Maybe it didnt work all that well. Anyone remember seeing it?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:03 pm

That would be the "infamous swamp cooler" mentioned by Chip much earlier in this thread.

BTW its amazing that this thread was resurected after sooo long. DLT, dont you feel I took enough of a beating when I first posted this.

Chip and company, I did have my A/C guy brother read the thread and he agrees. Wouldnt work FYI.

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:39 pm

Yeah, the "circulating lake water" idea has been discussed and thoroughly trounced...

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:27 pm

For those boating near active volcanoes, however, the circulating lava heater idea has not been as thoroughly thrashed yet..

Robert · Post by **Robert** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:00 pm

What kind of bottom paint is needed for sailing in lava?

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:25 am

Red of course - even slower than blue, and much, much slower than speedy white....

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Small boat A/C

Generator, Air Conditioner

El Cheapo

bottom paint for lava