Air conditioner with generator or inverter?

[jpower9]

I need a push in the right direction. I have a 92' Bayliner with 1 cranking battery and 1 deep cycle battery. I also have a Guest battery switch wired in. I'm toying with the idea of putting an air conditioner in my boat. I have an LG Goldstar window unit that is rated at 500 watts. I have a 800 watt generator that runs the AC unit just fine but it's kind of loud. My question is, should I go the route of the generator or an inverter? Also, is it legal to put my generator on the boat?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Air conditioner with generator or inverter?

Seems like you have a bunch of problems.

1) how did you make a window airconditioner work on a boat. How do you exhaust the air off of the condensor.
2) How much capacity is your battery? Assuming a 90% efficient inverter and a battery voltage of 12V, you will be drawing 46 amps/hr from your battery. If you have a 90 A/hr battery and only discharge it 50%, you can run the AC for an hour...not very long.
3) What generator are you going to use?

 

[jpower9]

Re: Air conditioner with generator or inverter?

The condensor sits just to the right of the cuddy cabin door. I cut a spot for it where it sits perfectly and is not in the way at all. I haven't bought a generator because I was afraid the AC unit would draw too much. I do have a very small 800 watt generator gasoline powered generator that powers the AC unit just fine. I have been told to strap it on the deck of the boat in a corner.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Air conditioner with generator or inverter?

you want the generator, some where the exhaust will not settle into the boat. carbon monoxide poisoning. the coast guard has rules on this.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Air conditioner with generator or inverter?

I just went through this very subject with my in-laws camper. I have also looked into it for my old tug. Basically what I have found is that if you do not have an onboard generator you can go one of two routes.
There are small package A/C units on the market that will run off an inverter. Some advertise that the AC unit itself is a small as a battery box. They also claim that they can offer cooling at a modest rate for six to eight hours using two deep cycle batteries. I assume in a small cuddy. But they are expensive! $1100- $1600 BUCKS! Not including batteries, cables, installation ect... Too steep for me.
The other route would be what one of my dock mates does. He uses a carry-on package A/C that fits through his bow hatch. He has a small Honda generator that he stows below decks. At night, or when his wife gets too hot, he secures the generator to the deck and powers the A/C. He selected the Honda because it is light and very quiet. I have heard it run and it is very quiet, but you can hear it. His setup is also pricey. The A/C was $500 and the generator was $700, both used. Geez!
Terry (dock mate) said he has never had a problem having the generator on board. We have an active waterway with no shortage of Coast Guard and DNR spot checks and they have never said a word.
If I were you, I would give the setup you mentioned a shot. If the generator is not compact and quiet it may be worth investing in one of the Hondas. They are expensive but they do the job well. BTW- The camper needed TWO 2000 watt Hondas tied together to run its A/C. But it works, and its quiet.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Air conditioner with generator or inverter?

you want the generator, some where the exhaust will not settle into the boat. carbon monoxide poisoning. the coast guard has rules on this.

Great point here. Terry places the generator aft on the transom deck with the exhaust facing overboard in the open air close to the edge of the deck. It is also a good idea to use a CM detector with an alarm in the cabin. This also keeps noise down buy facing the exaust away from the cabin.