Welcome to Carver Yachts Owners Forum

We are a boating forum for owners of Carver Yachts to enthusiastically discuss all aspects of Carver Boat ownership. Whether you are looking for your first Carver or currently own one, you are sure to feel at home on CarverYachtOwners.com

You are currently viewing our board as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access our other FREE features. By joining our free community you will have access to searching the forum topics, post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

12000 BTU to 16000 BTU?

Discussion of AC's, plumbing and sanitation related issues.
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
Mark2000356
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 4
Joined: June 4th, 2020, 7:03 pm
Vessel Info: 2000 356 Aft Cabin
Location: Tulsa, OK
Has thanked: 3 times

12000 BTU to 16000 BTU?

Postby Mark2000356 » June 25th, 2020, 4:18 pm

It’s finally time to replace the 20 year old Marine Air System in my aft cabin. Current system is 12000 BTU... I found a good Dometic replacement that is 16000 BTU (the same size that is in my salon). This aft AC unit also vents into the salon, which on hot days, could use the help. My question is, can my one 30amp panel run this new Ac (per Dometic pulls max 6.6amps) along with my other AC and the AC water pump? The math says it would be fine, but I am wondering if anyone has done this? 12k to 16k... is this overkill? Based on the specs, it should fit nicely under my bed.

Thoughts / Opinions welcome... family doesn’t want to be hot over the 4th. :usa:

Thank you!


United States of America
tomschauer
CYO Supporter
CYO Supporter
Posts: 2290
Joined: March 28th, 2016, 10:52 pm
Vessel Info: 1998 Carver 355
Suspicious Fishes !
2022 Kawasaki 310X
Location: upper chesapeake bay
Has thanked: 313 times
Been thanked: 581 times

Re: 12000 BTU to 16000 BTU?

Postby tomschauer » June 25th, 2020, 5:06 pm

Make sure the wire and breaker meet the minimum circuit amps listed on the new unit.
It may say 6.6 amps but that's running.
At start up it's closer to 15.
You shouldn't have a problem running 2 16k units on 30 amp with good power from the dock.
User avatar

United States of America
buster53
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 994
Joined: May 12th, 2017, 10:41 am
Vessel Info: 2001, Carver 356
Location: Lower Potomac, VA
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 253 times

Re: 12000 BTU to 16000 BTU?

Postby buster53 » June 25th, 2020, 5:56 pm

A new 16k probably pulls no more amps than an old 12k. Every year they get more and more efficient, pulling fewer amps. You should be good.
On my 356, I have the same 12 and 16. I would be afraid to put in a bigger unit. What is more important to you...daytime comfort or nighttime sleep? With a bigger unit after the sun goes down, your compressor won't be running as much, meaning your humidity levels are going to creep up.
I have to keep my aft unit at 67-68 at night, otherwise it gets stuffy and humid.
My previous boat had an AC unit that was a little too big. I had to turn that unit down to 64-65 at night to keep the compressor running and humidity down.
Too big is just as bad as too small
User avatar

United States of America
buster53
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 994
Joined: May 12th, 2017, 10:41 am
Vessel Info: 2001, Carver 356
Location: Lower Potomac, VA
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 253 times

Re: 12000 BTU to 16000 BTU?

Postby buster53 » June 26th, 2020, 3:44 pm

I just got to my boat on a warm Friday afternoon, and my salon was 87 and my aft cabin was 78. Aft cabin always stays cooler than the rest of the boat because it sits lower in the water.
When I turn on my AC units, aft cabin always cools more and a lot quicker than the rest of the boat. Another reason I would hesitate to bump up my BTU's.
In 2 hours, my boat temp dropped 10 degrees.
User avatar

United States of America
SplashyLady
Captain
Captain
Posts: 267
Joined: January 5th, 2016, 10:02 am
Vessel Info: Carver 3227 Sedan Convertible
1986 - 260 Mercruisers - Kohler 5E
Location: Lake Norman, NC
Has thanked: 20 times
Been thanked: 87 times

Re: 12000 BTU to 16000 BTU?

Postby SplashyLady » June 27th, 2020, 4:57 pm

You should be OK going from 12K to 16K. But here's another suggestion - add a Smart Start. It drops the initial compressor start load by more than half! It's better for your wiring and much better for your generator! They are not cheap at $400-$500, but I've seen 12,000 BTU units running on a Honda 2000 generator with a Smart Start. :down: Check it out on the Dometic web site or at one of the marine A/C suppliers: https://marineairconditionerparts.com/D ... tStart-III
Captain John
Past Commodore, Peninsula Yacht Club
Lake Norman, NC
Carver 3227 - "Splashy Lady"
Aquasport 222CCP - "Gone Fission"

Return to “AC/Heat, Plumbing & Sanitation”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests