Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

[wakerider09]

Afternoon all,

I am looking for a general idea of what is all involved in installing a marine AC unit into a 2000 Doral 250 SE with a 5.7l Merc EFI pushing? Also, what would be the suitable BTU output.... 9000? The units are relatively well priced http://www.*************/category.jsp?path=-1|2061076|2061077&id=2061082 but i'm not so sure about the install, and what all is involved, is the install extensive, or could someone that is "relatively" handy be able to install.

Thanks

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

Install is extensive. All duct work, all electrical, drill thru hull in bottom of boat, add air vents for the unit, and air to cabin. Add plumbing, seacocks, etc.
Not for the backyard DIY'er, unless you do HVAC work for a living.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

I am looking for a general idea of what is all involved in installing a marine AC unit into a 2000 Doral 250 SE with a 5.7l Merc EFI pushing?

Are you talking about using the 5.7L alternator to power it?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

Mounting the unit, including plumbing, usually under a seat or berth. Drill and pot the underwater thru-hull fitting, sea strainer, accessory cooling water pump, and electrical control module (as well as thermostat), and route all hoses and wires. Tap into electrical panel and wire in the fuse/breaker. Drill and pot the thru hull discharge for the expended cooling water. Pull wall coverings down and place duct work and air vents (including return air/fresh air intake). How are you going to power it? Do you have a generator or is this strictly going to be run off of shore power? Will your electrical control panel have the available slots to add a 220v breaker?

 

[stackz]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

what about something like this:
Amcor Nanomax Portable 12 000 BTU AC Unit 400 Sq ft Air Conditioner Local P U | eBay

or this:
Dometic Cruisair 7000 Carry on Portable Marine Air Conditioner | eBay

I mean it is just a 25' cuddy cruiser

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

I've got a 10k unit in my 28' cruiser and it isn't enough when it's over 90 outside.

I'm swapping in a 16k unit.

The install is pretty involved but doesn't require special hvac skills.

If you would be comfortable knocking out a wall in your home to build a closet you should be up to the task.

 

[shrew]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

You're going to need to look at the electrical requirements as well. The Air Conditioner (AC) unit will require a dedicated Alternating Current (A/C) breaker. Now consider how much the main and bus panel can handle. I'm assuming the boat has a single 30A shore connection and cable. Will the addition of the AC exceed the capacity of the systsem? I have a second shore power connection and a dedicated main breaker, panel and circuit breaker for my Air conditioning.

(ARG acronyms)

 

[agallant80]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

You're going to need to look at the electrical requirements as well. The Air Conditioner (AC) unit will require a dedicated Alternating Current (A/C) breaker. Now consider how much the main and bus panel can handle. I'm assuming the boat has a single 30A shore connection and cable. Will the addition of the AC exceed the capacity of the systsem? I have a second shore power connection and a dedicated main breaker, panel and circuit breaker for my Air conditioning.

(ARG acronyms)

When at the dock connected to a single 30A shore power I can run the a/c(7,000BTU), charger, water heater, fridge and microwave at the same time (did it last weekend) without tripping anything

 

[JoLin]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

Not an easy job, but doable, especially if Doral offered AC as an option n your boat. The various AC manufacturers provide formulas and instructions for sizing your unit, so look there, as well as dropping a note to Doral to see if they can provide any guidance. I found this link awhile ago from a guy who did his own nstall, and there's really good info here...

Boat-Project.Com - Air Conditioning installation in a boat

 

[shrew]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

When at the dock connected to a single 30A shore power I can run the a/c(7,000BTU), charger, water heater, fridge and microwave at the same time (did it last weekend) without tripping anything

I never said it wasn't doable. Your systems are all sized appropriately. I'm simply pointing out that capacity is something that needs to be accounted for. The act of installation itself is doable. The proper sizing of all the systems need to be taken into account.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

Not an easy job, but doable, especially if Doral offered AC as an option n your boat. The various AC manufacturers provide formulas and instructions for sizing your unit, so look there, as well as dropping a note to Doral to see if they can provide any guidance. I found this link awhile ago from a guy who did his own nstall, and there's really good info here...

Boat-Project.Com - Air Conditioning installation in a boat

Doral is out of business (for all practical purposes) so factory support won't happen.
The article you linked is by a good friend of mine. At least one of my projects is posted on his sight. Al is a good man.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

Doral is out of business (for all practical purposes) so factory support won't happen.

Ah, well. Maybe there's an owners group the PO can tap into. For the record, if I close the deal on the 26' Carver in another thread (My Boat Shopping Odyssey) I'll be adding AC. Your friend Al's writeup is so good, I'm convinced I can do all or most of it myself. Give him kudos from me for a really well-written and understandable article. They're rare.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Installing a Marine AC unit in Doral 250 SE

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