Installing Cruisair 12k Stowaway, any tips?
 

Got a heck of a deal on a 12k reverse cycle unit from a local dealer, so had to jump on it.
Will be installing it myself over the next few weekends, looking for any tips or tricks, with the engine compartment in the 33OL so tight, any special tools I might need? (besides 4' skinny arms)
I have installed a cruise control in my wakeboard boat, so I have been through the jitters of going through the hull.

Heard of putting the water inlet out the back instead of the bottom, any feedback on that?

It should pay for itself the first season, room rates are not getting any cheaper.

If you put the unit in the engine compartment it will be pulling in HOT air from the engine comaprtment and trying to cool that air to blow into the cabin. Any fumes, etc that are in the engine compartment would then be blown into the cabin....sounds similiar to hooking a tube to your cars exhuast and running it into the drivers window. :eek:

Our boat pulls water from under the engines and discharges the water under the swim-platform....highly recommended!!

In the 33 there is already a place for the unit in the the forward berth, sorry I eluded to the thought of it going in the engine area, the only thing going back there is the strainer, pump and the through hull water inlet.
I also already have a 20amp breaker for the AC unit as well.
Just trying to get some feedback on duct placement and any tips on installing the strainer and pump and where to cut the inlet hole.

interesting to see that your water discharge is out the stern, I have read that it shouldnt be but so far from the unit itself, so I thought that the outlet should be up at the bow close to the unit.

Glad that was mis-imformation.....I installed a unit in my 312 a couple years ago. Look for a thread I started in the Formula section 2-3 years ago for info and pics. In that one I discharged the water out the side of the boat. If it's quiet out and your not druck enough when you go to bed you'll hear the water running all night. I'd at least run the water discharge closer to the cabin entrance if you can't run it to the rear. My current 382 came with A/C from the factory and the discharge is on the rear corner of the boat.....can't hear it AT ALL!!!!

Mine is done exactly as you described. The unit is under the front v-berth cushion. The water inlet, pump, and strainer are just in front of my port motor and the outlet comes out on the port side of the bow very close to the unit. I can’t hear the water exiting over the sound of the a/c and especially not over the generator if we’re not plugged into shore power so the noise really hasn’t been an issue. Of course, we’ve usually had a few drinks be then anyway! :drink: That and where you sleep in the 30 is closer to the cabin door than to nose of the boat since the bench seats are what break down to make the bed. I didn’t install this unit myself so I don’t really have a lot of recommendations other than making sure where you drill the water inlet that it’s not in the way of your trailer bunks. The clamshell inlet for mine sits about half way on my trailer bunk so the bunk had to be notched out to accommodate.

Ok I have a 33 that we installed air in. The vents go in the flat areas behind the couches. I have one in each corner. I mounted the water pickup in the transom for the a/c and the head. That way you don't mess with the bottom of the hull. I put a tee with a plug in it so I can prime the system. The pump and strainer mount just in front of the port motor on the vertical panel that forms the back seat. Make sure you have a ball valve at the transom. I put the thru hull for the water dump right beside the sink thru hull. The unit goes under the v-berth cushion. I think that covers it all. If you need some pictures I can probably take some next week.

exactly what I was lookn for, Thanks,
just one question on your install, did you go through the transom b/w the motors, and did you have to remove the engine cover to get to that area ? so pics of the water pick up would be of help,
Thanks again for all the feedback, I begin the install this weekend, I will post some pics,

I did go between the motors. I have two pickups on the transom. They are just below the center stringer about 6" beside the center stringer. I have 500 efi's in mine so I don't have a engine cover. One thing you need to make sure of is that the valve handle does not hit the y-pipe or the stringer.

Thx, I should have said Engine Hatch Cover, did that need to come off to be able to reach down the transom? The rest seems pretty straight forward, just need some long arms for mounting the strainer and pump. It would be nice if the 33 was similar to the 30 in respect that the hatch cover brought up the backside of the backseat and not just the headrests.

This install most likely just saved my boat.
Made alot of headway over the weekend, but when I took out the AC Panel to hook up the electrical, there was quit a surprise. On the main, bare copper, where the sheathing had been melted away, looks like a capacitor of some type off one side that is completely burned out. Never smelled anything burning in the past, had my son(electrician) look at it, said I was very fortunate it hadnt started a fire. So, going to finish up the install and take it to the dealer for some warranty work.