helm a/c

[mario_veg]

Hey, I recently bought a 2003 grady white express 330... Is there any way to get air conditioning in the helm if I didnt get the option from factory? I want to get air conditioning in the helm without having to open the galley door to get it. Thanks
MV

 

[Coconut330]

Im thinking about doing the same thing to my 330. It is going to involve some fiberglass surgery to make the opening big enough to get the unit in. I looked at a new model with helm ac to see how it was done.
Go the the Grady Forum Photo section and look at the post 03 330express there is a couple of pictures from the Grady factory showing the ac unit

 

[mario_veg]

so you need to add another air conditioning system? I thought maybe adding a duct to the one that comes with the boat that goes to the helm...
It seems that what you want to do requires major fiberglass surgery. What brand and model unit are you buying?

 

[Coconut330]

You need to add another unit to cool the helm area. The one unit will not keep it cool. The new Grady 33's have an aditional unit. That is how they do it. I know a few people that have done this. It is nice in the summer.
Where do you use your Grady? I'm in Florida

 

[mario_veg]

I live in Panama. Its always hot here... What unit brand and model are you looking at. How much $$ are we talking about please give me more pics so I can have a better idea.
thanks

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

i don't think they install another unit, at least on my 336 i know that i have only one unit(ac/heat) that supplies the cabin and the helm. You can can get air in the helm from the helm vents and if not enough there is a switch on the panel for high volume air.

 

[ElyseM]

i don't think they install another unit, at least on my 336 i know that i have only one unit(ac/heat) that supplies the cabin and the helm. You can can get air in the helm from the helm vents and if not enough there is a switch on the panel for high volume air.

there is a second compressor in the helm port wing for the helm a/c (330). it is right behind the fold-down seat. the intake is there and the output is up by the cup-holder.

how about a couple larger helm fans? won't get you cool, but it will keep the air moving. i'm looking at the caframo Kona.

http://www.caframo.com/marine/marine_pr ... ltfans.php

ron

 

[Flot]

I'm intentionally bumping this very old thread - anyone get around to adding helm A/C to an older 330?

I'm ok with adding a second compressor etc - wondering if there is room where the original water heater is, or if anyone else had creative suggestions?

 

[themikehyde]

I can take pictures of how it is installed in my 09 if you are interested.

 

[Flot]

I can take pictures of how it is installed in my 09 if you are interested.

Mike, that'd be fantastic. I'm serious about this project and happy to document for the next guy! From reading the newer 330 docs, it looks like they used a single raw water pump (that's good for me) and put a 12k unit under the starboard passenger seating.

I can see the cup holder insert is different on the boats with helm AC, but that's where the vent comes out - now what I can't tell is if there were other changes to the seating to fit the compressor unit in there.

Are you overall happy with the performance of the helm air? Is that one vent on the starboard side enough? Or maybe a better question is, will it give me some relief from the heat even if the entire helm isn't buttoned up tight?

 

[usmm1234]

The entire companion seat area on the port side is different in the newer boats to house the 2nd AC unit. You can possibly do it on an older 330, but it’s going to be major surgery. I have a 2002 330. I put a Caframo fan on the bottom of the electronics box. It ain’t AC, but it keeps me pretty cool. You can see it in this photo

 

[Flot]

I'm willing to take on major surgery, my only question is having enough space in one side or the other to mount a big enough unit to make a difference - but I feel like this should be do-able. If not there's always the berth underneath.

 

[usmm1234]

I'm willing to take on major surgery, my only question is having enough space in one side or the other to mount a big enough unit to make a difference - but I feel like this should be do-able. If not there's always the berth underneath.

there’s quite a bit of room on the port side where the water pumps are. I was the Marvair Rep for years. I did all the Scouts for a few years. You need about a 12000 btu unit due to all the sun heat thru the curtains. They are harder to install, but you can do a split unit. The compressor goes in one place hidden away, and the air handler goes near the outlet area.

 

[themikehyde]

Mike, that'd be fantastic. I'm serious about this project and happy to document for the next guy! From reading the newer 330 docs, it looks like they used a single raw water pump (that's good for me) and put a 12k unit under the starboard passenger seating.

I can see the cup holder insert is different on the boats with helm AC, but that's where the vent comes out - now what I can't tell is if there were other changes to the seating to fit the compressor unit in there.

Are you overall happy with the performance of the helm air? Is that one vent on the starboard side enough? Or maybe a better question is, will it give me some relief from the heat even if the entire helm isn't buttoned up tight?

I will get them for you this weekend. I use the heat side more than the AC (Winter boat parades). The intake uses the same pump as the cabin unit. There are two outputs thru the hull. The return is between the port side seat/cooler and the cabin door. I leave the following-up seat up when in use to maximize the air flow. It does good. If I was going to cool the cockpit, I would consider getting sunshades for the windshield and sides. We are in a covered slip, so that is not an issue.
Mike

 

[usmm1234]

I will get them for you this weekend. I use the heat side more than the AC (Winter boat parades). The intake uses the same pump as the cabin unit. There are two outputs thru the hull. The return is between the port side seat/cooler and the cabin door. I leave the following-up seat up when in use to maximize the air flow. It does good. If I was going to cool the cockpit, I would consider getting sunshades for the windshield and sides. We are in a covered slip, so that is not an issue.
Mike

the 2003 and 2009 have major differences in that port side layout. The deck mold was completely redone for the 2008 model year. This was done to move the windlass back in order to drop the line into the deepest part of the fore peak. The rear deck was redone in order to make the generator space more waterproof and more accessible. And the port and starboard lounge areas were raised 4” so passengers could see better underway. They also made major changes to accommodate the helm AC. The last big change was to the windshield height. It was raised several inches.

 

[Flot]

the 2003 and 2009 have major differences in that port side layout. The deck mold was completely redone for the 2008 model year. This was done to move the windlass back in order to drop the line into the deepest part of the fore peak. The rear deck was redone in order to make the generator space more waterproof and more accessible. And the port and starboard lounge areas were raised 4” so passengers could see better underway. They also made major changes to accommodate the helm AC. The last big change was to the windshield height. It was raised several inches.

Thanks usmm. I've been reading your posts and looks like you and I are on the same path, I'm just about 6 months behind you, bringing a repowered 330 back across florida next week. Helm A/C was on my wish list and just about the only thing this boat didn't have, although yes raising the windhield a couple inches would have been nice too. LOL

 

[usmm1234]

Thanks usmm. I've been reading your posts and looks like you and I are on the same path, I'm just about 6 months behind you, bringing a repowered 330 back across florida next week. Helm A/C was on my wish list and just about the only thing this boat didn't have, although yes raising the windhield a couple inches would have been nice too. LOL

Take the longer way around in Lake Okeechobee. As in. Turn right when you leave the lock into the lake. The locks close at 4:30 so leave plenty time to cross the lake. There’s no Marina to overnight at the East end of the lake. Bring comfortable life jackets to where at the locks. It’s required.

 

[Flot]

I haven't tackled this yet but still have plans to. If anyone with a newer 330 has info on what size thru-hull and seawater pump (and piping) they are running on the boats with dual A/C units, that would be much appreciated. I believe it is a single water pickup but might be wrong on that. The newer boat owner's manual isn't obvious on this.

I also think I figured out how they ran A/C to the head on the newer boats, it looks like when they did away with the rectangular porthole in the aft cabin, they also molded in a chase along that wall. Looks like 4" ductwork would fit through there and it would make sense with the rest of the duct layout. Edit: Duh, yes, found this in the 2016 330 owner's manual.

I still think there is room in the older hull layout to make this work without major surgery, the space behind that tackle drawer in the port side is massive although I do need to double check clearances. In the newer models it should be a piece of cake.

 

[usmm1234]

I haven't tackled this yet but still have plans to. If anyone with a newer 330 has info on what size thru-hull and seawater pump (and piping) they are running on the boats with dual A/C units, that would be much appreciated. I believe it is a single water pickup but might be wrong on that. The newer boat owner's manual isn't obvious on this.

I also think I figured out how they ran A/C to the head on the newer boats, it looks like when they did away with the rectangular porthole in the aft cabin, they also molded in a chase along that wall. Looks like 4" ductwork would fit through there and it would make sense with the rest of the duct layout. Edit: Duh, yes, found this in the 2016 330 owner's manual.

I still think there is room in the older hull layout to make this work without major surgery, the space behind that tackle drawer in the port side is massive although I do need to double check clearances. In the newer models it should be a piece of cake.

you use a single pump. Just a higher flow pump. The Marine Air folks will tell you which one You need. Grady uses the March Pumps. If you run an AC line across to the head. Be sure you insulate it if it’s somewhere that condensation would soak a bunk cushion or get something wet. I Rep’d Marvair before they sold out to DOMETIC,. Scout and Regulator used PVC pipe with no insulation to run AC to the head. Both had to go back insulate it Because of condensation. You may want to just put a grill in the door To let in some cool air. If we are not running. We keep the door cracked in port.

 

[Flot]

you use a single pump. Just a higher flow pump. The Marine Air folks will tell you which one You need. Grady uses the March Pumps. If you run an AC line across to the head. Be sure you insulate it if it’s somewhere that condensation would soak a bunk cushion or get something wet. I Rep’d Marvair before they sold out to DOMETIC,. Scout and Regulator used PVC pipe with no insulation to run AC to the head. Both had to go back insulate it Because of condensation. You may want to just put a grill in the door To let in some cool air. If we are not running. We keep the door cracked in port.

The one vendor tech email I reached out to very explicitly didn’t want to help me size a pump, citing “too many variables” so I figured I’d be better off trying to copy the newer grady setup. I was initially convinced I could fit a 12k unit “upstairs” but having some doubts and will re-measure this week.

While helm air is important to me, I don’t think I’m going to worry about the head - agreed, too much hassle to get AC across there. Adding a wire chase across the top of that aft berth might save some headache though.