Recharge AC on your boat?

J3ff · June 2020

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.

J3ff · June 2020

Or... maybe it's this... anyone ever attempted it?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/su/lqkiz4pkmyzn.png

J3ff · June 2020

Suppose there's one other difference, the water here is 86 these days... could that be the issue? Water up north never tops 75

reneechris14 · June 2020

Yes water temp has alot to do with the efficiency of the unit.

rasbury · June 2020

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...

Handymans342 · June 2020

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.

J3ff · June 2020

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.

Handymans342 · June 2020

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

J3ff · June 2020

Okay, will start with the temp difference. Will report back today. Thanks for the help

J3ff · June 2020

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.

rasbury · June 2020

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...

Handymans342 · June 2020

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

J3ff · June 2020

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..

J3ff · June 2020

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..

Handymans342 · June 2020

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

J3ff · June 2020

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??

YYZRC · June 2020

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.

Aqua_Aura · 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

Handymans342 · June 2020

So cut a hole in the side of the boat and install a window unit.

rasbury · June 2020

@Handymans342, I think that's the best reply you have ever posted...

Handymans342 · June 2020

If you own a boat you are well off so don’t cry about a $1300 AC unit. 🤓

reneechris14 · June 2020

@J3ff your so hot you need A/C I've seen your toes once

Dream_Inn · June 2020

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?

J3ff · June 2020

reneechris14 said:

@J3ff your so hot you need A/C I've seen your toes once

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.!

Handymans342 · June 2020

Dream_Inn said:

show previous quotes

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?

What a dumb statement. Mine are on the roof

Dream_Inn · June 2020

Handymans342 said:

show previous quotes

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?

What a dumb statement. Mine are on the roof

Until you go under a low bridge!😁

J3ff · June 2020

Rare footage of Handy in action..

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

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

aero3113 · June 2020

That’s great @J3ff ! LoL!! I’ve seen many videos of people hitting that bridge. Crazy!

Aqua_Aura · June 2020

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. 👍

YYZRC · June 2020

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.

Handymans342 · June 2020

YYZRC said:

show previous quotes

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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