Recharge AC on your boat?

J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 2020 in General Boating Discussions
Anyone ever recharge the AC system on the boat? I've got this one.. https://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-miscellaneous-items-commercial-sellers-only/325533-cool-mate-marine-air-conditioner-600-obo.html. 

Can't imagine 5k isn't enough for the tiny space downstairs in the 270... the FL heat might have something to do with it, but even when it's only 80 or 82, it still only brings it down to 75 or so inside the cabin, even on the hottest days up north it used to do better than that!

Would love to try and recharge it just once before throwing in the towel and getting a bigger unit.. it's a CLM5KC/1 marine airrr unit. 

Or is there something else that could make it blow "cool" but not COLD... ?  Air filter is fine. 
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Or... maybe it's this... anyone ever attempted it? 


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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Suppose there's one other difference, the water here is 86 these days... could that be the issue? Water up north never tops 75
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  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes water temp has alot to do with the efficiency of the unit.
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Jeff, mine had always cooled as cool as I ever want it  to be...if what temps hit 90 I think it becomes an issue but mine has  always done the job...
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    They can cool fine up to 100 degree water. You can only tell if you have fouling if you put gauges on the unit and are trained to read them depending on the type of Freon. 
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hmm.. okay, well - going to start with the basics.. should be 10-15 degrees cooler at the output than the air going in.. right? Probably wouldn't hurt to clean the coils out with some muratic acid anyway, yes? The only thing about that is the water flow looks normal. 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You can’t leave the acid in there too long. Use a descaler formulated for de scaling heat exchangers. Straight acid has no inhibitors to protect the metals inside. A good running AC unit properly charged should have a 20 degree difference between supply and return air temp
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Okay, will start with the temp difference. Will report back today. Thanks for the help
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cabin was 88 when the ac was turned on, put the thermometer near the AC outlet with the wind blowing on, left it there for 20 mins, came back and the thermometer was reporting 86.  Seems like something is F'd. However water is still flowing just like normal... is 5000 btu just not enough for a 270? It really doesn't seem like it's that much air.. with the door closed. 
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Again, mine will keep very cosy...but would add when I first launch and the boat is 1000 degrees, getting it cooled off does take some time and then it maintains nicely from there...
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How long did it run Jeff?? Remember, everything inside the boat is the same temp and it takes a long time to remove the temp from the stuff
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just ordered a new one. I got stuck with the old old one with analog gauges, no heat, etc.. the new marine air version apparently has 3 speeds vs my 1 speed and is whisper quiet compared to the current one which I would not call quiet any day of the week... going to go on a little trip in July with it where I'll be sleeping at a dock for 4 nights, just need something like this. Also can control the new one with a wifi controller.. 
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Handymans342 said:
    How long did it run Jeff?? Remember, everything inside the boat is the same temp and it takes a long time to remove the temp from the stuff
    15 mins, output temp was 2 degrees less than input... even if it was 88 and not going down, should be much cooler than 2 degrees difference.. 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    J3ff said:
    Just ordered a new one. I got stuck with the old old one with analog gauges, no heat, etc.. the new marine air version apparently has 3 speeds vs my 1 speed and is whisper quiet compared to the current one which I would not call quiet any day of the week... going to go on a little trip in July with it where I'll be sleeping at a dock for 4 nights, just need something like this. Also can control the new one with a wifi controller.. 
    Good choice
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So this cost about 1300 bucks JUST for the 6k btu AC... 

    Why in the F*&^ is an AC for a boat 1300 bucks??   The 9k unit was only 100 more but it was twice the size and I didn't want to mess with that on the 270... point still stands. I could buy 5 or 6 normal airconditioners compared to this one, why is it SO MUCH more??
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,140 ✭✭✭✭✭
    J3ff said:
    So this cost about 1300 bucks JUST for the 6k btu AC... 

    Why in the F*&^ is an AC for a boat 1300 bucks??   The 9k unit was only 100 more but it was twice the size and I didn't want to mess with that on the 270... point still stands. I could buy 5 or 6 normal airconditioners compared to this one, why is it SO MUCH more??
    Amen.
    2008 350 EC on Georgian Bay
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  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    Uh duh because it's Marine grade 😋. I have seen aircraft parts that literally have the same part numbers as going down to the auto parts store but since they are stamped and approved as aircraft they are significantly more. 

    Seriously though it's all supply and demand. I am sure these products are usually very specific and they have a limited market to sell them so they need their ROI
    1997 Bayliner 3988
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So cut a hole in the side of the boat and install a window unit. 
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @Handymans342, I think that's the best reply you have ever posted...
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you own a boat you are well off so don’t cry about a $1300 AC unit. 🤓
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  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @J3ff your so hot you need A/C I've seen your toes once  B) 
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,671 mod
    Handymans342 said:
    So cut a hole in the side of the boat and install a window unit. 
    Is that what you do with your RV? B)

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    reneechris14 said:
    @J3ff your so hot you need A/C I've seen your toes once  B) 
    ha ha - yeah, now I have to find a portable AC to use while swapping out the boat AC... going to be hot as heII down there in this heat.!
    Post edited by raybo3 on
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dream_Inn said:
    Handymans342 said:
    So cut a hole in the side of the boat and install a window unit. 
    Is that what you do with your RV? B)
    What a dumb statement. Mine are on the roof
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,671 mod
    Handymans342 said:
    Dream_Inn said:
    Handymans342 said:
    So cut a hole in the side of the boat and install a window unit. 
    Is that what you do with your RV? B)
    What a dumb statement. Mine are on the roof
    Until you go under a low bridge!😁

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    Rare footage of Handy in action..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-e9JW0wje0

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=027W59y45sE

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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,073 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That’s great @J3ff ! LoL!! I’ve seen many videos of people hitting that bridge. Crazy!
    2008 330EC
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  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One of the roads to access my house had a train bridge like this. Thankfully someone hit it so hard it made the bridge unsafe so they removed it. 👍
    1997 Bayliner 3988
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,140 ✭✭✭✭✭
    J3ff said:
    Rare footage of Handy in action..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-e9JW0wje0

    I love the point where the guy is like "f it" and just goes for it.
    2008 350 EC on Georgian Bay
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    YYZRC said:
    J3ff said:
    Rare footage of Handy in action..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-e9JW0wje0

    I love the point where the guy is like "f it" and just goes for it.
    This would never happen to me as an experienced driver but you never know, I used to be a boat owner. Hahahahahahhaha
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