Cockpit AC replacement, how BTUs is enough?

ric992

ric992

Member
Apr 5, 2021
147
Miami Beach
Boat Info
2007 Sundancer 48
Engines
Cummins QSC 8.3
My fan died and the unit is a 2003 24,000 BTU. It didn't seem to be that cold before (ugghh I have only had the boat a couple days.) I didn't know if I should replace entire unit. That unit cant be original because the boat is an 07. I looked online and only see up to 16,000. Is that enough?
 
Depends on where you are, what your cockpit is covered up with, and when you use it. I'd change out the fan first. They are reasonably easy, and cheap compared to the whole unit. If you are only 2 days in, you don't have any comparison info.
No amount of BTUs will overcome a summer day in Florida without some strategic placement of the vessel, and reasonable expectations. My friends have a 460 SD with an airtight cockpit covering, and still have to run a stand alone portable unit in the summer to make it anywhere near "comfortable". Works best at night.
 
370Dancer said:
Depends on where you are, what your cockpit is covered up with, and when you use it. I'd change out the fan first. They are reasonably easy, and cheap compared to the whole unit. If you are only 2 days in, you don't have any comparison info.
No amount of BTUs will overcome a summer day in Florida without some strategic placement of the vessel, and reasonable expectations. My friends have a 460 SD with an airtight cockpit covering, and still have to run a stand alone portable unit in the summer to make it anywhere near "comfortable". Works best at night.
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Right, I am in south Florida so it definitely gets hot. I was just thinking if I replaced I wanted to get the most amount of cool air! I think your right I will start with the fan. Do you know where I might purchase a fan at?
Thanks
 
Ric, the stock unit is a 24k btu unit. Are you sure your fan is bad? Siezed or the motor bad? Did you verify power to the fan motor?
 
ocgrant said:
Ric, the stock unit is a 24k btu unit. Are you sure your fan is bad? Siezed or the motor bad? Did you verify power to the fan motor?
Click to expand...
Yes the fan is getting power. It sounds like it stuck and can't turn. It was also very hot. Dometic from what I saw on the website only has up to 16k BTUs. My boat is a 2007 but said 2003 on the unit. I'm assuming the previous owner replaced with a refurbished one. I would like to have as much AC in the cockpit as possible.
 
ric992 said:
My fan died and the unit is a 2003 24,000 BTU. It didn't seem to be that cold before (ugghh I have only had the boat a couple days.) I didn't know if I should replace entire unit. That unit cant be original because the boat is an 07. I looked online and only see up to 16,000. Is that enough?
Click to expand...
25393A76-B431-40A4-9DEF-334E9F3E5783.jpeg

Tiara uses 32,000 BTUs in the upper cockpits of their opens. That is enough to keep the cockpit at 68 degrees using a drop curtain with isinglass windows in afternoon sun with dock temps of 90 plus degrees. It functions like a strong AC unit in an automobile. We would use our aft curtain at times which more than doubles the space to be cooled. It would get cold at night and stayed comfortable until noon the next day when we would take it down for fresh air. That was in hot, humid weather in Leland Harbor which has zero shade. Having a hardtop is essential to making the environment manageable.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 103513
Tiara uses 32,000 BTUs in the upper cockpits of their opens. That is enough to keep the cockpit at 68 degrees using a drop curtain with isinglass windows in afternoon sun with dock temps of 90 plus degrees. It functions like a strong AC unit in an automobile. We would use our aft curtain at times which more than doubles the space to be cooled. It would get cold at night and stayed comfortable until noon the next day when we would take it down for fresh air. That was in hot, humid weather in Leland Harbor which has zero shade. Having a hardtop is essential to making the environment manageable.
Click to expand...
Thank you, what brand is your 32,000 btu unit?
 
ric992 said:
Yes the fan is getting power. It sounds like it stuck and can't turn. It was also very hot. Dometic from what I saw on the website only has up to 16k BTUs. My boat is a 2007 but said 2003 on the unit. I'm assuming the previous owner replaced with a refurbished one. I would like to have as much AC in the cockpit as possible.
Click to expand...
In my response I meant the fan was very hot, after I couldn't get it to run I just turned off. And figured either a new fan or unit...
 
You have a lot of factors here, Florida heat is a killer. Do you have the windows tinted with ceramic tint? That makes a huge difference... Do you have a shade in the back, this also helps. Will it ever be cool...no, not in our heat. Bearable yes. I have the A/c running, windows tinted, skylights covered, shade in the back and a fan mounted on the port side to move air and it is fine for us. Fully enclosed cockpit is give and take. You give a little for the heat but when it is raining like cats and dogs in SoFlo and your friends are running for cover I am chilling just fine....
 
Your right and I know it will never be cool, I just want to be able to feel as much cold air as possible when it's running. I was thinking about a fan too. If air is circulating we will be good. If I was to replace I didn't know what unit too get. I do want a shade in the back but don't have one yet. I just purchased the boat and haven't really even used yet..but I know I have to get this AC fixed as soon as I can
 
ric992 said:
Your right and I know it will never be cool, I just want to be able to feel as much cold air as possible when it's running. I was thinking about a fan too. If air is circulating we will be good. If I was to replace I didn't know what unit too get. I do want a shade in the back but don't have one yet. I just purchased the boat and haven't really even used yet..but I know I have to get this AC fixed as soon as I can
Click to expand...
I just looked and I don't have a picture of my fan set up with me. I will take a picture of it this weekend and post it. I had one in my Princess and worth every penny. It was a must have for my wifey as soon as we got this boat. You are more than welcome to come up to Ft Lauderdale and see my boat if you want this weekend, I will be at the dock for sure this weekend working on it.
 
ocgrant said:
I just looked and I don't have a picture of my fan set up with me. I will take a picture of it this weekend and post it. I had one in my Princess and worth every penny. It was a must have for my wifey as soon as we got this boat. You are more than welcome to come up to Ft Lauderdale and see my boat if you want this weekend, I will be at the dock for sure this weekend working on it.
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I would absolutely like to see it, especially because I just got and want to get any suggestions I can
 
370Dancer said:
Depends on where you are, what your cockpit is covered up with, and when you use it. I'd change out the fan first. They are reasonably easy, and cheap compared to the whole unit. If you are only 2 days in, you don't have any comparison info.
No amount of BTUs will overcome a summer day in Florida without some strategic placement of the vessel, and reasonable expectations. My friends have a 460 SD with an airtight cockpit covering, and still have to run a stand alone portable unit in the summer to make it anywhere near "comfortable". Works best at night.
Click to expand...

where can you get a new fan and want fan do you recommend? Push more air?
 
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