marine air question

G

greenstreak

Member
exMember
Joined
Mar 8, 2004
RO Number
12942
Messages
320
My boat has a cruisar unit installed. It really gets cold in the aft cabin. Can I put an ajustable grill in there so I can shut off some of the air flow? Would this divert more air to the main cabin grill?

thanks

art
 
That'll work. That's exactly what I do to divert more air to the v-berth.
 
Jim P. Delete the "Duh" in your statement above and it will be much better!

Greenstreak You've been around this forum for awhile, so I think you are familiar with Jim's "modus operendi" ?
 
Actually, it will sort of work to a degree (no pun intended.) Depending on how long the duct run is to the main cabin, it will increase the air pressure only slightly. You must be careful however, to not cut the flow off too much. If you do, then you will change the air-flow ratio over the evaporator coil and that may cause coil freeze up problems. Imo, I would experiment with the adjustable vent that you plan to install and monitor the evap. coil until you are sure that it’s not freezing. If it does start to freeze, turn the fan speed to a higher setting or open the aft cabin vent a bit more. If you don’t notice an increase in air velocity in the main cabin. You might try to install a damper at the a/c units plenum. This is where the two discharge hoses that form the ducts are. This will reduce the air flow to the aft cabin and boost the pressure to the main cabin without cutting down the flow across the coil. Make sure your filters are clean.
 
I just deleted my post because Marich typed faster. He's right: too much air flow restriction and the unit could freeze up.
 
Hey Flutterby--I didn't even think it was worth commenting on what JimPend said. I got the right answers from others. I was wondering if cutting airflow and diverting it would change the way the air unit operated. Thanks everyone for the information.

art
 
Art,
Just make sure u purchase a good quality diffuser.. so when u close it . IT wont whistle and the vanes wont rattle. Closing one vent wont cause the unit to ice over unless of course u only have one vent. I know on my boat there is no way i fit to install a damper in the " T " that splits the air from my v berth to the salon.... I wish to heck i could....

Good luck

Rob
 
It's how I do it but in reverse. I have a large duct right over the unit in the forward cabin and due to space restrictions, have a 4" duct in the sleeping area. I close the aft a bit during the day in order to cool the forward more (greater sun exposure) and open the aft full tilt at night. It works well.

Come to think of it, I do the same thing in my house to balance the load of a retrofit A/C system.
 
I've done the reverse. In the aft cabin, where the flow is low due to the length of the ducting, I have installed an in-line blower. This reduces the flow to the normally very cold v-berth and increases it to the aft cabin. Two birds with one stone (PETA insensitive). Luck. Dale
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top