Installing a 10 kbtu Dometic AC in Albin 25

[tribologist]

Picked up a 10kbtu Dometic ECD unit earlier this spring. Initially i was a bit concerned over fitting it in but its trivial! I just took the little bulkhead out next to the helm seat and it slides right in. More to follow...

[DesertAlbin736]

What are we looking at in the second photo, from inside the seat locker (where batteries are in our boat)?

[tribologist]

Right, You can the steering cable and a few other cables there too. I’m putting the overboard drain there somewhere too. Maybe also the condensate drain. I need to figure a solution for that. Some people use ejectors powered by the drain flow

[Bob Noodat]

After reading dkirsop on his Wallas, and now this wonderful a/c unit I realise that BOAT has morphed into BOATT: Break Out Another Two Thousand.

[tribologist]

BOATT!! LOL! I was for the longest time trying to find a cheaper solution. I had a Cruseair on the hook but that got sold just as I was walking to the car. This unit and its 6kbtu little brother are the only ones I could find that would drop right in. That shelf is about 11" wide. When I was first putting it there I was picturing cutting fiberglass with no mask since the unit is longer than the space and the tubes sticks out. It was a very nice surprise that it fitted so well. It essentially slid right in.

[tribologist]

Pump and strainer! Re-using the bulkhead i cut out next to helm seat. I hope the strainer will be ok on its side. Im taking water from under the closet.

[Dieselram94]

Sweet!! Definitely looking forward to all the details on this!

[nebulatech]

Congratulations on your new A/C and especially the fit! I'm interested on your plans to allow intake airflow through the wooden cockpit panel. Louvers would look really nice. Not that you asked, but something like this but larger would be an easy drop-in:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WHITECAP-60714 ... 2955473815


I'm highly impressed at the cleanliness of your fiberglass in the 2nd picture. Was your boat always in such pristine condition? If not, what did you use to get the fiberglass so clean? I'm truly jealous.

[tribologist]

Finally got it running. Im a bit concerned over it not priming well but the intake is quite a but below the pump and the toilet plungers are not providing a lot of head. It will be interesting to try it out on the water. Sunday was hot here and it pulled down the temp quite quick. A 6000 btu unit would probably have worked but now i’m sure i will be able to cool the whole boat. Got good use of 3D printer too. Made an adaper tee from 6” to 4” duct. I still need to install ducts and condensate drain. We ended up with the budget louvers from home depot.... no room for wood ones. The bilge was quite dirty when we got her but a few cans of the now unobtanium Chlorox wipes did good on the dirt.

[nebulatech]

Nice work fabricating the duct t!

So just bleach cleaned up your fiberglass? Wipes and laundry bleach are scarce in my area, but deck cleaner (wooden house decks) is mostly bleach and still highly available. I've been using it in my forward accommodation after stripping the vinyl liner adhesive.