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Is it safe to use portable mini evaporative air coolers inside a yacht?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by T.K., May 27, 2019.

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  1. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    I was wondering whether it is a good and safe idea to use the portable mini air coolers inside a yacht for an extended period of time. I keep the yacht's air condition system running 24/7 for a period of 5 months, from May until September even with the yacht empty and moored in the marina. Ambient temperatures range from 35 degc to 45 degc during this period and constant air conditioning is necessary to preserve the interior of the yacht.
    These portable air coolers are an evaporative air cooler designed to pull warm air from the room through its evaporative water filter to humidify while cooling. They contain a water tray which needs to be filled or topped up with water daily. I have seen them in operation outdoors and they are quite effective. I am worried that the large amount of daily evaporating water inside the yacht could cause damage to the yacht's interior. Ofcourse if these portable air coolers can be safely used inside the yacht while the yacht is stationary and empty of guests while moored in a marina, they will help preserve the yacht's onboard air-condition system and reduce the system's operating hours.

    I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on this subject.

    Below is an image of a portable mini air cooler.
    arctic_air_02.jpg
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Usually, boats use de-humidifiers while in extended storage.
  3. wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    A complete Joke......they will add heat (space will become warmer) and a higher temperature holds more moisture (humidity). To tired to explain thermodynamics tonight.
  4. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Correct, but that is if the yacht is kept in a cool and humid location. De-humidifiers don't drop temperatures. Our location is different. The Red Sea is dry and very hot during summer months. I need to keep the yacht's interior at a controlled temperature of approx. 25-26 degc using the air-condition. If the air-condition is turned off, main deck temperatures inside the yacht can rise to 40-45 degc which overtime will damage the interior.
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    These will turn the yacht into a mold farm.
  6. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    :)..... I was confident this will be the answer. I guess I have to keep running the air-condition system.
  7. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Why not just run the air con system? If you want to reduce load set the Tstats at higher settings. Here in so fl we run the air con 24/7/365
  8. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    That is exactly what I am doing now and have been doing for the last 10 years in all my boats. Shore power is not very reliable in Egypt especially in summer where we experience sudden spikes or high drops in voltage. I have had quite a few circuit boards burnt as a result of these voltage fluctuations. I was looking for an option to keep my air-condition equipment safe when connected to shore power.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    You don't have a ISO transformer?
  10. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    I do have isolation transformers, one on each shoreline but they won't provide protection against a fluctuating voltage.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The transformers should help on those quick spikes, but for longer sags, you may want to make some adjustments to the boards;
    Time delay before restarting the compressor.
    Low Vac cut off also.
    Maybe even soft starters.

    Not trying to be a S A, just offering some help on those boards.
  12. wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    Uninterruptable power supplies (USB) battery pack and inverter like those small ones sold for pcs and electronics. They cut out the spikes and make up for low voltage (brown outs) using battery's. They can be designed and installed for a entire boat. A voltage and frequency study should be done to find out what the problems are and how far from specs.

    You should be already using these on all your electronics, Radios, PCs, TVs etc.
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
  13. wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    Meant UPS above ,not USB
  14. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    some are vented to the outside?
  15. wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    Your probably looking at a portable AC unit that has a 4 to 8 inch hose run outside , like a dryer hose , That's where the rejected heat goes.

    That exact same unit the OP posted would be marketed as a humidifier in colder climates. Technically a passive humidifier as opposed a much better heated humidifier.
  16. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Yes, I am aware that these are available but it won't be possible to use them. That will mean something needs to remain open for the exhaust hose.
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've heard them referred to as "Swamp coolers" because they make everything wet and humid like being in a swamp!
  18. captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Swamp cooler is pretty accurate. Huge heat wave the last ten days in GA where I have a farm so I had to install a 12,000 BTU Haier portable A/C and dehumidifier in the master as the other wall units weren't cutting it. I vented the exhaust out the window and installed a drain line and @ 70 degrees and holding for eight hours with the bed room door closed I had 80 % humidity. Certainly cool but certainly damp. I would never install one of these aboard due to venting and condensate drains besides the fact when in cooling mode they don't remove moisture from the air but rather add substantially.


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  19. Kapn

    Kapn Member

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    The portable AC units with an intake and exhaust hose would work, but a porthole or hatch would need to have a temporary surround piece fabricated for it. Condensate drains would need to be run as well, but with little humidity it shouldn't be much water flow.
    How about a 'window unit' installed in a temporary location over a hatch. Would be ugly and take some minor fabrication of a hood or surround. But one or two of those could run constantly with no seawater needed and when a power spike blows them up, go buy a new one for less than the cost of a circuit board for marine units. Obviously only a good idea for when the boat is not in use.
  20. wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    TK minds well just run the AC already installed. His only option that would be better is keeping his boat in a sir conditioned boat house/shed that would also stop solar damage to the exterior.