Replacing AC in 46c

[Capt Chad]

Has anyone on here replaced the AC units on a 46c? Both of my split units are acting up and I'm tired of kicking the can down the road.

I'm thinking I may have to stay with a split unit down and go to a stand alone in the salon.

Do I have to replace the coolant lines if I install a new split system?

Is there room for a 16,000 self contained under the dash area where the original air handler is in the salon? What's the best way to get into that area? Just pull trim and paneling?

 

[zigzag930]

You don't necessarily need to replace the lines, but you will most likely need to flush them to remove any old refrigerant (assuming R22).

You will need to figure out how to get seawater to the self contained units assuming they will be in a different location from the condenser on the split system.

 

[Boatsb]

Forget the self abuse unit. Good installs of splits are far better.

 

[Pascal]

Not familiar with the 46 layout but the self contained in the salon will be Higher than the remaining condensers which means you will likely need a separate pump and TH to push the water higher

 

[Capt Chad]

Pascal, that is the part I wasn't counting on. But yes, it makes sense.

So, who has the best splits?

 

[rsmith]

I put a self contained unit in the salon it’s noisy and while I did not install another pump I probably will at some point. I’m sorry now I didn’t do a split system like my others.

 

[Cricket]

Scott, we have a 220v self contained 16,000 btu Cruisair up under the front of the bridge. Pretty quiet.
Fall 2021 we ripped out the 3 x 110v split systems for the cabins and replaced them with 3 x Mabru 220v self contained units mounted in the bottom of the closets where the air handlers used to be.
The Mabru units are quieter than just the air handlers were.
Different pumps with manifolds for the cabin and salon units.
This spring we finished installing 2 x glycol closed loops with individual titanium heat exchangers in the engine room mounted to the ER ceiling, each system has 2 pumps triggered from the pump relay boxes, 1 for the loop, one for raw water.
Didn't like pumping all that sea water thru the boat so now it's in and out in maybe 6 feet. This way we only have to maintain the heat exchangers for barnacles, etc. No more freon leaks from the long runs forward.

 

[bostonhatteras]

I removed the original set up and created my own in the area under the starboard side deck/gunnel. It will require a patient and dedicated duct work guy but it is FAR above the original set up in terms of efficiency. This is a 16k split system

 

[bostonhatteras]

This system is on my ‘70 45’ convertible I’d think these areas between the 45 and 46 are nearly identical.

 

[rwaldrop13]

Our first year with Pau Hana we ended up replacing the split-system Crusairs with standalone new-style units. I ran hoses from the generator room, and ran the wiring to the old Crusair junction boxes. The only problem we ran into was the second unit from MarineAire in Ft Lauderdale. It was defective out of the box, and they immediately denied warranty even though their own troubleshooting instructions pointed at a defective component. The first unit from them, and the one from Mermaid Manufacturing in Ft Myers performed beautifully. Since I ran everything from the generator room I didn't have to worry about coolant lines, and while yes, the units were a little noisy, a little planning in locating them eliminated most of the noise. For the forward stateroom/galley unit, it was located inside the stateroom closet, and I built new ductwork to connect to existing vents. For the midships stateroom I put it under the inboard berth, again eliminating most of the noise. While it never worked, the defective unit was in the master closet. My philosophy was to repurpose the spaces where the old units were, and then I removed the compressors from the old Crusairs in the generator room, giving us more room there. I'd recommend Mermaid Manufacturing whole-heartedly. I'd avoid MarineAire, as when the unit continued to fail, they refused to honor warranty and actually sued me when I finally sent the dispute to my credit card. They blamed my install, which made no sense since the other 2 units performed perfectly.

 

[Briankinley2004]

The previous owner in my 46C added a self contained in the salon. He built a L shaped bench seat on the starboard side and placed it under it. Used the thru hull for the toilet direct overboard for the water supply. This is in addition to the existing unit mounted in the bridge and ducted overhead in the salon. In the FL heat that one unit just will not keep up.

While I agree it is a bit noisy at the dock I don't see how it would be at sea with the generator going. As for the one in the bridge being replaced with a self contained I don't see noise being an issue up there. You should be able to connect to the existing ductwork. The issue would be getting the correct pump to get the water up there. It can be done as the new owner of my 55C added one in the bridge there. He got the pump from Depco.

 

[Capt Chad]

We ended up replacing the lower system with a Dometic split unit. It pushes a lot of air. So much in fact, that's all you hear. I'll have close to 20k in it when we tally up everything, but it's done. It really feels good to be knocking out projects for the first time in many years.

We put a little refrigerant in the old marine air salon unit and it's running fine for the time being. If it aint broke don't fix it.