AC on the cheap

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Figment
Damned Because It's All Connected
Posts: 2846
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 9:32 am
Boat Name: Triton
Boat Type: Grand Banks 42
Location: L.I. Sound

AC on the cheap

Post by Figment »

The whole reason for us even having a Triton is so the dog, Grover, can go sailing with us.

Image

Grover, being a bulldog with all the breathing problems bulldogs have, doesn't do so well in hot weather. This weekend was 85-90 degrees with 85-90% humidity. Grover was not a happy camper.

My solution: plunk him down on the starboard setee (after removing cushions), and set a 5-lb block of ice in front of his face, with this little battery-powered fan behind it.
Image

This worked about ten times better than I'd expected. Instead of just keeping the dog from overheating, it cooled the whole cabin. There was at least a 3 or 4 degree difference, and that's with a 200lb guy in there grunting groaning and straining to get nuts and washers onto bolts up in the toerail recess.

1 block of ice, plus 30% of the life of 4 D-batteries.... $4

Added to The List: Construct a bulkhead-mounted ice block holder box with vented sides, find a way to drain the melt down into the sink or something, and mount a hardwired fan onto the front of it. $75
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Tim
Shipwright Extraordinaire
Posts: 5708
Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2003 6:39 pm
Boat Name: Glissando
Boat Type: Pearson Triton
Location: Whitefield, ME
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Post by Tim »

Hmm, what a good idea!
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bcooke
Master of the Arcane
Posts: 2272
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2003 10:55 pm
Boat Name: Jenny
Boat Type: 1966 Pearson Triton
Location: Rowley, MA
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Post by bcooke »

How is this project coming along...
-Britton
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Figment
Damned Because It's All Connected
Posts: 2846
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 9:32 am
Boat Name: Triton
Boat Type: Grand Banks 42
Location: L.I. Sound

Post by Figment »

Well, I'm 85lbs heavier now, so that's one kind of progress!
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