Need help...... Installing air conditioning on a 1989 Sundancer 280

[wknd@bernies]

I purchased a Webasto 9,000 BTU air conditioner for my boat that never had air. I am planning on installing it in the center of the V birth. There are sides to this area that are plywood covered with fiberglass and tied into the bow. I was wondering if I could cut 4 inch holes into these for the air duct lines without compromising the integrety of the boat. Also looks like the only place to put the air supply line would be through the closet. If anybody has suggestions or pictures of this kind of install I would greatly appreciate it. Not sure how factory installations look.

 

[Alegria]

Well when I had to install AC on our 90 280 I can tell you how they did it.

Unit was mounted under the forward berth. Along with the control box. The thermostat was mounted towards the bow ijn front of the salon. The pan drain was tied into the water discharge line with a special T that sucked the water out when the pump was running. This avoided a run of PVC down to the shower sump at the entry way floor. The through hull was cut in next to the shower sump and ran forward to the vberth through the floor locker. The water pump was mounted there too.

Intake air was thought a grate cut into the wood in the front of the berth. It was a square grate 20x20 I think.

Cold air was routed to a tee one side went through a 4" hole into the closet and tee'ed again. With one square outlet over the salon and a round 4" on the other side directed into the v berth.

The other side went through bulkhead into the galley sink locker, behind the frig, then through to a 4" circular vent into the head. They then put in a passive 4" vent between the head and aft cabin.

 

[wknd@bernies]

Tom,
Thank You, so much for the information. Evidently I was on the right track other than a few minor changes. The suggestions that you made will make this a great installation.

Again thank you Tom,

Bill

 

[wknd@bernies]

Tom,
Did they have to cut holes in the floor locker front and back for the hoses? I think it is a sealed locker.

 

[Alegria]

Going from memory. But I believe the hanging locker was deep and they might have cut from both sides to get into the Berth area.

 

[wknd@bernies]

Tom,
Sorry I was talking about the water hoses for the discharge going through the floor locker to the overboard discharge. Do you know if they cut holes in the floor locker to run them?

Sorry to keep bothering you

Thank you,
Bill

 

[Alegria]

Oh! No bother at all. Yes they did cut two holes. One at the back and another up at the berth. Then they used clamps to secure the hose it to the side of the locker. They were just floor supports on our 280 nothing integral to the hull structure. Then they cut a hole in the hull on the starboard side for the discharge well above the water line.

 

[wknd@bernies]

Tom,
Thank you so much, you have been so helpfull hopefully I can return the favor sometime.

Bill

 

[wknd@bernies]

Well I have the ducts in and wires run. The problem now is running the 5/8 inch water hose back to the bilge. The air conditioner in the Vbirth is slightly elevated fron the floor. If I was to run the water supply line through the floor locker I am not sure where there are floor braces. When I go in the floor locker there is a brace towards the bow but not sure if there are any more after that, in which case I couldn't reach it. Also running the water line from the air conditioner it would have to go down then make a turn under the floor.......how would I achieve that? Getting frustrated......mmmmmm