Help a sportboater A/C w/ no generator questions

RT 240SD

RT 240SD

New Member
Jun 16, 2005
329
DC
Boat Info
2000 240SD
Engines
5.0 BIII
Ok, so I'm working on details on the potentially new boat. The 290 SS didn't have an option for a generator. So I am faced with A/C and two fridges with no generator.

So... can I run the A/C while on the hook from battery power and if so for how long. Am I being an idiot here? One of the selling points on moving up is to convince her we can have a/c while on the hook in case folks want to cool down a bit.
 
The air conditioner use A/C current not D/C so you will not be using the air conditioner while on the hook w/o a genny
 
well i've been doing a little research, but not enough to be an expert. from what I gathered, looks like with a bank of 5 batteries and a nice big inverter, you should be able to run the ac for about 4-5 hours. The inverter is pricey and then you have to find space for the batteries. Not a great alternative, but it is one. I've been quoted about $7k to install a genny and the inverter option seems to be about $2-3k.
 
One of the members of the board had an invertor set-up on his 260 DA for his A/C You may do a search and possibly find out how he had it set-up. I think it kept up with the A/C for about 8 hrs. Possibly he will see this post and comment.
 
It has a "Battery Charger/Converter, 120V/60 Cycle"

Does that allow the a/c to run off of battery?
 
no, that converts 120 to 12 to charge your batteries. You need an Inverter that converts 12v to 120v. you also need a lot of batteries.
 
Darn it Jim... this makes life harder. She's already balking. Maybe I'll just get a hot boat and become single again in one fell swoop.
 
It was SKOLBE who did the inverter install on his 260DA. It took 4 Golf Cart Batteries and a 3000 Watt Inverter as I recall. The 260DA has a generator platform right in front of the engine and it is sized to handle the weight of a genny and keep the side to side balance as well. So that would be a natural location for the batteries. On the 290SS you will have to find space to put those batteries. Plus the inverter itself cannot be located in the bilge and the cable run from the batteries needs to be kept short as well. So in addition to finding a place for the batteries, you need to find a place for the inverter either in the cockpit or cabin. Then you also need to wire the inverter into the power panel as well.
 
Guys i completely disagree.... There is no way u can run a properly sized a/c and cool the boat for an extended period of time on battery. The a/c unit would have to significantly undersized and the quantity of batteries would be absured. ID love to hear what Skolbe did.... and if it works to his satisfaction...

Rob
 
I'm figuring that I'm SOL and will only be w/ shore power for a/c which makes things more difficult on the convincing side.
 
Don't go the battery inverter route....you won't be happy with that and the work you will need to do (Chargers, Inverters and heavy cabling and battery location).

Take a look at these units:

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/gensup.asp


A number of boaters in our area use these units on their boats which are configured as yours and they work great. With the proper cables, they plug right into your shore power connectors and give you all the comforts of home. I would get an additional CO detector if I used one on the hook overnight.


-John
 
I am having a 3,000 watt inverter put in my boat next week with one 8D AGM battery and the installed cost is $3,000 - $3,500. It will work with about four 8D batterys as the compressor does not run all the time. If you cool it off at the dock and leave it set on 75 degrees and keep the door closed you will likely get 8 hours out of the batterys. I would guess it is only about a 5,000 btu a/c.
 
Robski97 said:
Guys i completely disagree.... There is no way u can run a properly sized a/c and cool the boat for an extended period of time on battery. The a/c unit would have to significantly undersized and the quantity of batteries would be absured. ID love to hear what Skolbe did.... and if it works to his satisfaction...

Rob
Click to expand...

I believe it did what was expected of it. From what he told me he only used it at night when overnighting on the hook...
 
The 290SS is a beautiful boat but that is the trade off, no generator option. Boating is all about compromise. If you want those creature comforts, a Sundancer is the way to go.
 
Up north that boat would be great where the evenings are a little cooler and less humid than in the south. I would love either the bow rider or cuddy version for the go fast part in style. That boat is a pretty toy. Not a practical boat. Everything about it breaths excess. :thumbsup:

But that's ok, I like excess. :smt043
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
I would love either the bow rider or cuddy version for the go fast part in style. That boat is a pretty toy. Not a practical boat. Everything about it breaths excess. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Practical boat? :smt043

What would make a SeaRay "practical"? They are far too nice, and far too expensive to be "practical"! You can't (really) live on these boats. You don't make a living from these boats. They are certainly not a good investment!

So given that the boats we discuss on these boards are money-pits. . .that means that they are (or had better be) descretionary spending. In other words. . .they are ALL pretty toys.

So now comes the question. . .what tradeoffs are you making with your toy?

Comparing the 290SS to the 290DA. . . at least used. . .the 290SS is cheaper. You loose the cabin space, but you gain a whole bunch of cockpit space. And a performance boost**. So for a "day boat". . the 290SS works. For a party, the 290SS works. For spending a weekend away from home. . .the 290DA works. :thumbsup:

**Based upon the 260DA thread. . . I wonder how much the arch and big swim platform hurts the 290SS performance. I suspect both boats need to go on a diet. :grin:
 
jg300da said:
The 290SS is a beautiful boat but that is the trade off, no generator option. Boating is all about compromise. If you want those creature comforts, a Sundancer is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Absolutely! Why buy a boat that won't do what you want it to do? Look around some more until you find something with a genny. That way you get get the boat, the A/C and you get to keep the wife :thumbsup:

Chazaroo
 
I hate to say it but have you looked at the Crownline CCRs yet. They have a 25 & 27 that can have a generator in them. I know I keep wishing SeaRay would come out with an upscale cuddy.
 
chuck1 said:
I hate to say it but have you looked at the Crownline CCRs yet. They have a 25 & 27 that can have a generator in them. I know I keep wishing SeaRay would come out with an upscale cuddy.
Click to expand...

Actually. . . .I looked at those cuddy's. AWESOME boats.

But I like the 280/290 SS better.
First. . .dual engine options. Very nice. Brag factor of twins should not be underestimated. :grin: Docking is also sweet :thumbsup:

Second. . .the 275CCR had the primary seating on the starboard side. I saw one of these boats at anchor one day. . and noticed a list as everyone was on the side seat. The U-seating of the 280/290SS is better. The wider beam also helps for stability!

Third. . . .the swing seat for the rear bench/sunpad: It is really, really cool in the showroom. In practice . . the use of the filler in the back U-seat actually works well. Easy to set up. AND you can use it underway!! No fear of sliding off the back. Can use the fillers to create a huge lounger when moving. Can lay on it. We LIKE IT.

So yes. . . SeaRay needs to watch Crownline. The Crownline 22's and 24's are awesome. The 255 cuddy has no match in the SeaRay.

The 275CCR cuddy also has no match. . .because it is substantially cheaper (and therefore in a different market segment) than the 290SS. The only reason that I did not buy the 275CCR is because that boat didn't quite fit my needs.
 
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