how cold should air conditioner get

[jim_m5]

Can someone give me a guideline on the coldest I should expect it to get? I set is at 72 but it would not go down below 78. Is there something that can be done to make is colder?

 

[JohnEGraham]

Typical TD (Delta T) sould be min 12 to 15 degrees so if your return air is 82 the supply air sould be 67 to 70 degrees. This is at a normal humidity level. J G

 

[Nacho Boat]

My air conditioning on my 290 can take my boat down into the upper 60's on a very hot Floriday afternoon. Your system does not appear to working properly. Could just be a freon charge, but I certainly wouldn't sweat it (no pun intended), and would have it checked out.

 

[skolbe]

Is your filter clean - it should take it down into the 60's.

 

[Hampton]

Typical TD (Delta T) sould be min 12 to 15 degrees so if your return air is 82 the supply air sould be 67 to 70 degrees. This is at a normal humidity level. J G

Keep in mind that, since the air is drawn in from the cabin, over time, you could get from 90 degrees outside down to the 60's inside.

 

[jim_m5]

Skolbe,

Where is the filter and how best to clean?

 

[Presentation]

Skolbe,

Where is the filter and how best to clean?

Look for your return air vent.

My guess is under the V birth table. On my boat its under one of the cabins port dinette seats.

On mine, we have 2 filters, a outer and a inner.

I remove both filters and gently rinse them with water, shake them dry, let them drip for a couple of hours then put them back. I do this about 3 times per season.

 

[Southpaw II]

Remember, these units circulate water. This weekend (6-21-09) the water in my lake was 89 deg F. These systems lose efficiency when the water temp gets that high. Conversely, when the water temps get below 40 Deg F. they don't heat as well.

 

[ultratiger89]

In my 2003 260DA the return air vent is in the mid cabin berth, starboard side. I checked the Delta-T last year because mine won't get below 78 either. I had a 17° delta-T. She's doing all she can. I think the A/C is undersized in the 260, along with not so good insulation.

 

[wkearney99]

As the seawater temp approaches 90F the efficiency of the system starts to drop. The pressure of the coolant goes up along with the temp and eventually that will cause the system to shut itself off with a high pressure warning. The opposite happens as the water drops below 55F.

Check the putside strainer (under the boat), the sea strainer cup and the filter on the unit itself. When you're at the unit removing the filter to clean it, check to make sure the coils aren't getting iced up.

How strong is the flow of water coming out the through hull fitting? As strong as usual, or a bit less? Might be that the hoses have gotten plugged or the pump's impeller needs replacing.

Check those things and if that doesn't improve it then it's possible the refrigerant (which isn't freon any longer) or the unit itself might need servicing. But the water flow and filter are things you can check yourself.

 

[sbw1]

We see 56 degrees most days as we like to sleep under a comforter. 65 degrees happens in about 20 minutes on a hot summer day.

 

[jg300da]

Design deltas should approach 20deg f. and have nothing whatever to do with the unit being properly sized. Allow the unit to operate for 10-15 mins, then measure the air temperature at the return grill (air filter) and at a supply outlet.
Any delta less than 15 deg f. have a technician check out the system.

 

[Four Suns]

Does the 260 draw air from the outside by the AC unit (i.e. a hull vent)?

 

[Presentation]

Does the 260 draw air from the outside by the AC unit (i.e. a hull vent)?

Boy, I don’t think so.

My 280 Sundancer sucks area in under the dinette then thru the A/C unit then out the vents. No fresh air enters the cabin via the A/C system.

Actually, the head does not have any A/C vents.

I was on a ……gulp…….Bayliner….that had cockpit air. Even with the isinglass removed the cold air blowing on you as you sat at the helm sure made a big difference on a hot day. I think this cockpit air was a separate A/C unit then the cabin.

 

[Georgia SeaDawg]

Mine gets down to the temp I put it on, and will keep it there. This weekend, my wife almost froze me out. You should get it checked out.

 

[Robski97]

Wow alot good info if u can weed out the bull****. No offense guys ....

Two great posts are here. If the a/c unit is putting out air a min of 15 degree's cooler then the temp of the boat thats it... UR done... We can talk filters and strainers and moon phases till were blue... if he meets that threshold u can call mechaincs all day long it wont help.

If he doesnt have 15 degrees then we can trouble shoot.

Rob

 

[gerryb]

deleted

 

[Hampton]

It sounds like the flux capicitor. Even with a 15 degree differential, the flux will keep the cabin warm.

EDIT: Oh, sure, GerryB, leave me hangin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Presentation]

It sounds like the flux capicitor. Even with a 15 degree differential, the flux will keep the cabin warm.

Do the lights on your flux capacitor come on? Do you still have the original flux capacitor plug wires? If you did change them, did you use marine rated flux capacitor plug wires? That could also be the issue. You should not put automotive flux capacitor plug wires on a boat.

If the lights are working on the flux capacitor, do the lights go from the outside inward? I’ve heard of people putting the plutonium cartridge in backwards. It should be installed with the plus side connected to the plus part and the minus side connected to the minus part. If this is in backwards the lights will flow from the center outward and the flux capacitor will not work.

The plutonium cartridge only lasts a season or two. They are shot when you get them wet. I know they are expensive but someone here posted a thread explaining how to convert the plutonium cartridge into a rechargeable one with parts available at home depot. Try doing a search.

 

[ultratiger89]

Design deltas should approach 20deg f. and have nothing whatever to do with the unit being properly sized. Allow the unit to operate for 10-15 mins, then measure the air temperature at the return grill (air filter) and at a supply outlet.
Any delta less than 15 deg f. have a technician check out the system.

I got ~17° Delta on the hose. I checked the sizing charts and by their criteria the unit is big enough, but I think it is because it doesn't put out ENOUGH cold air to get the temp down. Been like that from day one. I'm sure that insulation has something to do with it as well.

Does the 260 draw air from the outside by the AC unit (i.e. a hull vent)?

No, it's in the mid cabin berth, starboard side.