[Adventurous Soul]

I am considering having AC installed under helm seat in my 3500 w/ hardtop . In SouthWest Florida it's a indulgence but a necessary one in the summer . I might even upgrade the 12,500 unit that is currently cools the cabin to 16,500 . My question is , will my 5 KW Westerbake genny be able to handle both AC units at one time ??? We have a few folks down here to choose from for installation . But this will be my first upgrade for CRACKERJACK .

Thanks in advance , .............. Rich

[trit21]

I doubt that a single 16k btu unit will work very well at the helm in FL. I know of several people that have put AC unit at the helm (non Tiara) and they opted for a 24k BTU unit and it worked fairly well but still was not great on hot FL days, July August. 

In response to your idea of going from 12k to 16k in the cabin. If you do that, a 16k unit should have a larger supply duct than what is currently on your 12k unit. Not sure about the wiring, but that may also need to be upgraded. Remember that to feel 'cool' humidity is what needs to be removed. If you make the unit to large, the cabin will cool down but the humidity will remain and you will not 'feel' cool. Of utmost importance is to size it adequately to cool the space down will running long enough to remove humidity. I just replaced my original 12k unit with a new 12k Dometic unit. I was also thinking of upsizing but was warned about the very thing I just spoke about, humidity. Yes, the unit runs a little longer in the summer but it does a great job of removing humidity in the cabin for sleeping, so in the end I am glad I did not upgrade. 

Considering the original AC unit is on its own 30 amp circuit, I would say it would probably run both units but you will have to put sometype of interconnection box so they don't both start at the same time, it would not handle that I am sure. And, you will probably have to be selective on what is turned on and when, ie hot water heater, battery charger, stove, both AC units as I don't think it would everything at the same time. But, if you were selective on what is turned on from the AC power pane, I think it would work for you. 

[Adventurous Soul]

Thanks Tom , I will heed your advice and do a little more research before I do any major upgrades . I have been on a 35 Sovaran that had a 36,000 BTU AC under the seat . At least that is what the sales person told me . Anyway , it felt very very nice at the helm . And there was no eisenglass enclosure to keep the AC contained . CRACKERJACK is scheduled to be shipped down here from Annapolis MD next week . I am starting to get somewhat excited about her arrival . Thanks for the info !!!

Rich

[Captain_Lee]

Thanks Tom , I will heed your advice and do a little more research before I do any major upgrades . I have been on a 35 Sovaran that had a 36,000 BTU AC under the seat . At least that is what the sales person told me . Anyway , it felt very very nice at the helm . And there was no eisenglass enclosure to keep the AC contained . CRACKERJACK is scheduled to be shipped down here from Annapolis MD next week . I am starting to get somewhat excited about her arrival . Thanks for the info !!!

                                                                        Rich

Hi Rich, I see you are in Cape Coral as well... you are right to want to cool that helm area down, it can get ridiculously hot here in the Summer!  I have used Felix Marine locally for work on a number of my boats, they have a younger guy named Yanni that works for them on their HVAC stuff, and he is quite good.  One other thing you'll want to do if electing to install a/c at the helm is to DECREASE the area it's cooling.  I had a drop down stamoid canvas enclosure made by Captain Canvas locally, as I am in the process of adding helm a/c to my boat too.  Feel free to contact me privately if you'd like to meet up locally and take a look at my boat to see what I'm talking about.  It's at Tarpon Point Marina on B Dock.  Having the enclosure installed this week!

[sbw1]

We upgraded the A/C on our 32 Open to 16,000 BTUs from the factory original 12,000. Made a huge difference. Tiara did it under warranty and changed the production spec after our boat was built to 16,000. No wiring or duct change was required. I too have been on a Sovran with helm air. 35,000 BTUs kept the helm at 68 degrees with a drop curtain installed. This was accomplished on a very hot, steamy day in the high 90's with sun pouring into the cockpit.