For various reasons, this project took me 4 months to complete. But I'm happy to report that I now have a 10k BTU helm A/C setup on my 2002 330 Express that looks essentially identical to the setups in a brand new 330.
To make a long story short:
- Webasto FCF 10k A/C unit fit exactly in the spot where the port side drawers in the cockpit reside. (I had to open up the hole about 1" on each side)
- The newer drink-holder panel with space for a vent went in fine with appropriate fiberglass trimming
- Used a MSI systems MSI #PGA106R air vent and about a foot of 5" ducting
- Had to upsize my seawater pump to the biggest wet-location unit I could find
- Replaced a bunch of my seawater cooling hose with 3/4 while I was at it, and used a brass Y fitting to feed both AC units
Took the boat out today and was able to run my cabin AC and helm AC at the same time, no problem.
My only regret? It's 90 degrees and ridiculous here right now, I wish I could have gotten a 12k or 16k unit in, but this was as big as I could safely commit to fitting through the hole. But I'll say the 10k unit I bought does an admirable job. Was it worth the +/- $2k and all the hassle? Ask me in a few months.
Edit: After all the effort I've put into this - I do wonder if I could have instead installed a larger unit in the aft berth port wall instead. I'd have to do some measuring to sort that out. Maybe, and then the vents would have just run straight upward. I've found that area to have a ridiculous amount of useful space and have put some extra 12v bus bars in there, will probably end up with an amplifier in there, etc.
To make a long story short:
- Webasto FCF 10k A/C unit fit exactly in the spot where the port side drawers in the cockpit reside. (I had to open up the hole about 1" on each side)
- The newer drink-holder panel with space for a vent went in fine with appropriate fiberglass trimming
- Used a MSI systems MSI #PGA106R air vent and about a foot of 5" ducting
- Had to upsize my seawater pump to the biggest wet-location unit I could find
- Replaced a bunch of my seawater cooling hose with 3/4 while I was at it, and used a brass Y fitting to feed both AC units
Took the boat out today and was able to run my cabin AC and helm AC at the same time, no problem.
My only regret? It's 90 degrees and ridiculous here right now, I wish I could have gotten a 12k or 16k unit in, but this was as big as I could safely commit to fitting through the hole. But I'll say the 10k unit I bought does an admirable job. Was it worth the +/- $2k and all the hassle? Ask me in a few months.
Edit: After all the effort I've put into this - I do wonder if I could have instead installed a larger unit in the aft berth port wall instead. I'd have to do some measuring to sort that out. Maybe, and then the vents would have just run straight upward. I've found that area to have a ridiculous amount of useful space and have put some extra 12v bus bars in there, will probably end up with an amplifier in there, etc.
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