R21 AC INSTALL

F

FIMAN1

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Messages
43
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Is it possible to install AC in a R21 Aftermarket?
 
Yes. Getting the power to run it may be another story.

My 21ec has the later of two factory ac installation types. The first, I believe, was a true 12-volt unit, which apparently did not have enough capacity to do the job.

They at some point switched to the kind I have. It is actually a 110-volt unit, operated by an inverter. It is made by Dometic and seems to be of good quality. I think it has only 3500 BTU output. On a really hot summer day, this is marginal. I would suggest at least 5000.

The installation is not too bad. What you get is a self contained unit very roughly 12 in high that sits on a roughly 18 in square base, which is the drain pan for the condensate. The only reasonable place to put it is under the sink/stove area.

It draws return air through the louvered doors leading to that space. They give you a flexible duct to lead the cooled air to a suitable spot. In my case it is on tope of the little shelf to the left of the mate's seat. You will need to make a hole in the hull and install a thru-hull for the condensate drain.

You will also get a pump to pump seawater through the condenser in the unit. You will need a thru-hull, sea cock, and strainer to supply water to the pump, as well as a discharge fitting for the warmed sea water. In my boat they put the pump in the little storage area to the left of the head.

Electricity - This setup will use 500-600 watts. You can easily get this out of the engine alternator when cruising, but you definitely can't get it out of the stock 20-amp battery charger on shore power. They put two extra batteries in my boat that are a joke. They will run he AC for about 30 min. I am contemplating putting a y cord of some sort on the AC so I can plug the AC directly into shore power.

Hope this helps. Check Dometic's web site.

Larry
 
FIMAN1. Larry speaks the truth. I installed a 6000 BTU A/C ,110 volt unit in my 21 and it works fantastic. I posted the entire install details in a previous thread. Check it out. If you have any questions let me know. In our Florida summers it’s a necessity.
Cool Capt’nKarl.
 
Capt'nkarl where would I find your post on AC install?

Fiman
 
FIMAN1. Search on this site Ranger 21 EC AC install All the details of the equipment and installation of the AC unit are there. I’d be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Cheers,
Karl
 
I’m planning on using this portable A/C. Runs on battery and uses a real compressor the size of a coke can. It’s pricey but so is everything else on a boat. I’m hopeful it will cool the very small space in my 21, and if not, I’ll just point it right at me. You’ll also need a way to vent/draw air (dual hose system) I’m thinking of creating something via the porthole window. You also need to drain it every few hours (small water container built in) or you can run a hose off it and out somewhere. I’ve been following this Kickstarter for a while and it’s legit. Ships in November.

If you want one right away. You can get their earlier model here. Not as powerful though.

Just wanted to share this because I’ve been looking into A/C solutions since I got my 21 two years ago.
 
Very curious as to whether this will keep your cabin comfortable. I’ve heard pros and cons about this product but I’d like to hear how this unit functions.
Cheers,
Karl
 
I’ll definitely let you know. I bet it will work great on summer nights in the berth at the very least.

I remember seeing your solution two years ago and got excited, then it ended up sounding a little too involved at that time. I’m sure I could pull off the install if I put my mind to it. Although I thought I remember you saying it worked but still not on very hot days, which I imagine will be similar with this portable one.
 
Boris the Tug, sounds very promising. Question can it be plunged in anywhere on the 21' and not use the battery or do I need a Generator? Also what about the Air hoses they are 4" in diameter and the port holes won't work. Please let me know how you handled that problem. The latest quote I got for AC is $5000 installed.
 
I'm working on a cooling system that uses sea water to cool, since most water temperatures are between 65 and 75 in the summer months I plan to use a system like the heater on the boat but
Instead of hot engine coolant use sea water to cool the radiator, have parts on order and will let all know the results when tested. Weather in eastern washington has ben between 90 to 105 degrees!
Bob
 
Interesting idea, but you may have some challenges. A regular air conditioner has an evaporator (the cooling coil) that gets down to near freezing. (When things are a little screwed up the coil will actually freeze.) The discharge air on a conventional air conditioner is typically in the '50's. Even if your proposed setup could extract every BTUfrom the seawater, you are going to get 65-75 deg air. Using air that warm to "cool" a 95 deg cabin will be an uphill battle. I think you are goin to find you need a massive "radiator" and fan to accomplish much. "Massive" doen't work well on a 21EC. I suggest you build a simple test setup to see how it works before investing too much work into actually installing it.

Larry
 
Thanks Larry, yes I know it will not cool enough to hang meat, just enough to be better than the defrost fan blowing hot air in my face! Biggest problem is being on the boat in the summertime in my area is like being locked in a hot car at Wal-Mart. This is one of my winter projects, I'm always trying to reinvent the wheel who knows it just as t might work!
 
capt'nkarl I see you have a y setup on the electrical part of your a/c installation. What is that exactly for. How did you power the a/c?

fiman1
 
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