12 Volt Airconditioning
 

I was just wondering if anyone has had any real experience with a 12 volt AC unit that runs off of batteries. Do they work well, what kind of run time and how many BTU's are required for a 35' cabin? Thanks Steve

Anybody?

I can't imagine that working out too well. My AC makes a 4KW generator lug for a second when it cycles on.

If I had to guess, you would (at minimum) need to have a bank of 6 (or more?) 6 volt golf cart batteries. That would probably net you around 1.5 to 2.5 hours of run time. The problem is going to be that more than likely you'll be starting in the 90* range (ambient) to get down around 70 is going to take some time running full bore.

Just throwing out some semi- educated guesses here.

Hello 509 SC
My parrents still live in Brookfield, North and Lilly rd. Small world I see. I graduated HS @ Brookfield Central.

RE: 12 Vlt AC, need to many batteries to run unit for short time. Also starting amps will kill compressor eventually. The weight alone of the batteries needed would be too much. Plus what will charge them, solor and wind generator maybe will recharge back to full state in perfect conditions,.. No wind, or Sun. screwed buddy for the next run cycle of AC. Just my 2 cents.
:party-smiley-004:

Steve, do you have thoughts against running the little Honda EU2000i into the shore power and running a normal AC unit?

simple,

one large cooler full of ice
one small 12v fan
turn on fan, blow air across ice and whallla :evilb: :drink:

I believe Marine Air has been experimanting with the 12v systems for a few years...they were trying to use one of our smaller pumps but the amp draw we require was a tad on the high side for them. Anyway i believe they use an inverter for their system..it draws 29 amps when running...so depending on how many batteries you want, that will give you your running time...their unit only puts out 3500BTU's so it would be good for smaller cabins...

Velocity had a 12 volt system. You might e mail Kenny at Velocity and ask about it.

http://www.dcbreeze.com/

Don't know much about it, but seems interesting

The Eu2000 works fine with most a/c units on performance boats. Plugs into your shorepower cable with a connector.
We have sold many Eu2000's on here in the past. Anyone needs one, just let me know.

Keith

Thanks for the replys, I know there are several manufacturers who market a 12 volt unit. I'm guessing by the response they aren't to popular or very likely to perform very well. I just thought that someone may of had some real experience, either positive or negative. I'm not against the Honda generator idea, it might make more sense. Steve Mr. Bravo III, I live less than a mile from Brookfield Central.

I suggest getting portable A/C that runs on shorepower or a generator. We sleep on our boat a lot over the summer at marinas and got a 9000 btu/hr unit made by AMCOR (KF9000E). It has a small footprint and a neat automatic draining feature for the condensate. The flexible duct that blows out the hot air also has a small tube that mists out the condensate, so no need to drain.

I can tell you on the hottest, humid nights this thing will keep our small 292 cabin in the 60's! We just put up the full top (see pic), put the A/C in the step-down at the cabin entrance and blow it right in the cabin. Even has a remote control so you can adjust it without getting up. It is a bit heavy at around 50lbs, but has a handle and is pretty easy to get around. Overall I am very satisfied with it. We don't have a generator, so if camping off the beach it is back to roughing it with only a fan.:drink:

There is and marine air Company that makes a 5,000 btu this can dehumidify very well

The system uses an inverter to supply the power with 2 batteries that is good for 4 to 6 hrs of run time before you need to plug into someone to recharge or shore power

Try this. I've put them into a couple of performance boats. Work pretty well.

http://www.mmair.com/marine_division...200_btu_system

If going with a 110 volt unit, what would be the recommended BTU requirement for a 35' boat, then I'ld also gain the ability to get heat from the unit. Steve

Very cool! I know I've seen you out on the Mississippi before, just need to pull over and have a beer! I don't get out there much now that my 38' is down at LOTO, but hoping to do so more next summer. Cool set-up w/ the A/C!

Definitely!:drink: Let's hope the river cooperates next year. We are usually at 521 or Hat.
Dave

You need a high dollar inverter and a separate bank of very high quality batteries to make it work throughout the day. You are almost better off buying a genset or a Honda.

The kit comes complete with the inverter

They have done a few already with other boat maufactors that have worked it is only 5000 btu we only need 4 to 6 hrs coolig during the day

From the sounds of it Steve, he wants to able to run the ac unit while beached somewhere. DC BREEZE is a nice unit but its minimal while down here in the south. I install a dcbreez in a 28 pantera. It does need air around the unit to work. My install was in the nose of the boat. Had to install a blower just to move air. Used 3 oddesy batteries( top of the line ) to supply power.Just from what the owner has told me, you get maybe 3 hours max before it starts loosing it cooling. And to top it all off you need a high output alt about a 120 amp output. investigate before you but 509 SC.. Good luck

I guess it's not looking like the 12 volt has to much positive feedback. The boat doesn't have room for an on board generator so maybe a portable with a 110 volt unit is the better way to go. You don't know if you don't ask, thanks for the replys! Steve

We have a unit that you can check out at http://www.12voltac.comOur unit uses true 12 volt dc compressors and varies its current draw based on demand from the thermostat.

Check out a video of the 4000 btu.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_7QFqBPvic