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Author Topic:   Installing A/C in a 26/275 Conquest

BayBum38ft posted 04-13-2011 10:43 AM ET (US)
Has anyone had an after market or DIY installation of an air conditioning system in a Conquest. I want to install a 7000 BTU system and I cannot figure out where to install the main unit.
Thanks
BayBum38ft
mrdrago posted 04-25-2011 07:39 AM ET (US)
I am in the process of installing a 6,500 A/C reverse heat unit in a 2001, 26 foot Conquest which I believe is now considered the 28 according to whalerparts.com. Stay tuned and I can update you on my progress. I should be done in about a week. I need to work a few things out, most importantly how to mount the unit. My plan is to install it under the bow starboard seat storage where the original boat had a blower mounted. It appear to fit, but I am trying to purchase the original mount from Boston Whaler. When done and if successful I'd be happy to provide further details since appreciate how hard it was to figure this out. Wish me luck!
Thanks,
Mark
BayBum38ft posted 04-29-2011 12:36 PM ET (US)
Thank you for the reply, I would like to see any pictures that you can share. What brand of A/C unit are you going with? I am looking at the Turbo Vector STQ6K a 6000 btu unit. I am actually thinking of mounting the unit externally against the bulk head in the back of the head compartment, that you see from the aft bunk area, there is a 2' by 2' panel to access the back of the head and I am thinking of making a box to contain the unit and mount the box on the bulk head.
BayBum38ft
mrdrago posted 05-08-2011 10:19 AM ET (US)
I successfully installed air/heat in my 2001 Conquest 26 also know as the 28. I installed a Dometic Marine Air 6,500 Btu unit. This project is not for the faint of heart and required a lot of thinking, planning, and cutting. I decided to mount the air conditioner in the same location as the original factory model with two key modifications. The original boat came with a two part system with a blower in the bow, and a compressor in the stern. I installed a one unit system in the bow where the blower goes. The location is under the starboard bow seat which is in front of the head. There is just enough room if you mount it the same height as Whaler mounted the original blower. The most challenging part of the project was mounting the air conditioner and routing the vents (bow and cubby). I used the same vent locations as on the original boat. I created a custom air conditioner mounting stand very similiar to the original blower stand that came with the boat. Since my unit was longer than the original blower the shelf had to be made a longer. I got the plans for the shelf from Whaler and can share them if you like. You can see the original air installation from the factory at: whalerparts.com. Go to the Conquest 2002 28 model. I disconnected one of the bow bilge pump discharges and used the fitting to discharge the air conditioner overboard. This eliminated the need to drill a new hole. The disconnected bilge was then T-ed into the other one to share a discharge. You must install a check valve in front of each bilge pump to avoid water being pumped back into the head or midship bilge. This is how whaler did it on the 2000 28 model boats. I will try to take some pictures for you. The install looks like it came from the factory that way. In order to do this project you will need to take off the front wall of the cubby cabin (when laying in the lower cubby it is the wall that is on the bow side below the head), temporarily remove the refrigerator and microwave. You also have to open up the tunnel under the cubby cabin to run the wires and plumbing. The seawater pump was installed in the bilge behind the batteries and I drilled a thru-hull water intake. This project took 4 full weekends to complete. If you are able to sucessfully complete this project you will become intimately familar with the layout/plumbing/wiring of your boat. My wife is happy to have air&heat on Mother's day.
Good luck,
Mark
BayBum38ft posted 05-08-2011 11:28 AM ET (US)
Congrats on finishing the project. What is the model number of the Dometic unit and did you include the reverse cycle heat option? Where did you buy the Dometic unit? I will be using my Honda EU2000i generator to power the unit. I would like to see any pictures or drawings you have. I have 3 batteries in the aft bilge, a picture of how you installed the raw water pump and strainer would be helpful too.
On a different topic, I had to replace 3 of the wall panels in the aft cubby area. The starboard panel, the panel behind the head compartment and the panel that spans across the back wall. The plywood panels were rotted along the bottom edge from a water leak that collected in the aft starboard corner of the cubby area. I cut new panels from 1/2" starboard and I am in the process of fitting the new panels.
Thanks
Greg
BayBum38ft@gmail.com
mrdrago posted 05-09-2011 05:41 PM ET (US)
Greg, funny you should mention that. Last summer I had those same three panels replaced with starboard as well. I kept getting water in the rear cubby. After installing the starboard I calked really good between the board and floor and now get no water in.
I bought the airconditioner from West Marine. I think they only sell one 6,500 Btu unit. It came with everything necessary to install the unit. However I do not recommend buying the kit because a lot of the pieces cannot be used for example the through hull needs to be 5 1/2 inches and it only came with a 3 incher. The seacock was also too small need 3/4 inch. These whaler are well built. Any help I can provide fee free to post I know how hard a project this was and half the work was figuring out what to do. Is there a way to email you the pictures. I'm not sure I know how or can post pictures here.
Good Luck,
Mark
mrdrago posted 05-09-2011 05:45 PM ET (US)
Here is the model information.
Dometic Environmental: 6,500 BTU/Hr. EnviroComfort, 5.4A/7.0A Draw @ 115V AC Cool/Heat, 12.25"H x 13.25"W x 17.75"D, 5" Duct Size

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Author	Topic: Installing A/C in a 26/275 Conquest
BayBum38ft	posted 04-13-2011 10:43 AM ET (US) Has anyone had an after market or DIY installation of an air conditioning system in a Conquest. I want to install a 7000 BTU system and I cannot figure out where to install the main unit. Thanks BayBum38ft
mrdrago	posted 04-25-2011 07:39 AM ET (US) I am in the process of installing a 6,500 A/C reverse heat unit in a 2001, 26 foot Conquest which I believe is now considered the 28 according to whalerparts.com. Stay tuned and I can update you on my progress. I should be done in about a week. I need to work a few things out, most importantly how to mount the unit. My plan is to install it under the bow starboard seat storage where the original boat had a blower mounted. It appear to fit, but I am trying to purchase the original mount from Boston Whaler. When done and if successful I'd be happy to provide further details since appreciate how hard it was to figure this out. Wish me luck! Thanks, Mark
BayBum38ft	posted 04-29-2011 12:36 PM ET (US) Thank you for the reply, I would like to see any pictures that you can share. What brand of A/C unit are you going with? I am looking at the Turbo Vector STQ6K a 6000 btu unit. I am actually thinking of mounting the unit externally against the bulk head in the back of the head compartment, that you see from the aft bunk area, there is a 2' by 2' panel to access the back of the head and I am thinking of making a box to contain the unit and mount the box on the bulk head. BayBum38ft
mrdrago	posted 05-08-2011 10:19 AM ET (US) I successfully installed air/heat in my 2001 Conquest 26 also know as the 28. I installed a Dometic Marine Air 6,500 Btu unit. This project is not for the faint of heart and required a lot of thinking, planning, and cutting. I decided to mount the air conditioner in the same location as the original factory model with two key modifications. The original boat came with a two part system with a blower in the bow, and a compressor in the stern. I installed a one unit system in the bow where the blower goes. The location is under the starboard bow seat which is in front of the head. There is just enough room if you mount it the same height as Whaler mounted the original blower. The most challenging part of the project was mounting the air conditioner and routing the vents (bow and cubby). I used the same vent locations as on the original boat. I created a custom air conditioner mounting stand very similiar to the original blower stand that came with the boat. Since my unit was longer than the original blower the shelf had to be made a longer. I got the plans for the shelf from Whaler and can share them if you like. You can see the original air installation from the factory at: whalerparts.com. Go to the Conquest 2002 28 model. I disconnected one of the bow bilge pump discharges and used the fitting to discharge the air conditioner overboard. This eliminated the need to drill a new hole. The disconnected bilge was then T-ed into the other one to share a discharge. You must install a check valve in front of each bilge pump to avoid water being pumped back into the head or midship bilge. This is how whaler did it on the 2000 28 model boats. I will try to take some pictures for you. The install looks like it came from the factory that way. In order to do this project you will need to take off the front wall of the cubby cabin (when laying in the lower cubby it is the wall that is on the bow side below the head), temporarily remove the refrigerator and microwave. You also have to open up the tunnel under the cubby cabin to run the wires and plumbing. The seawater pump was installed in the bilge behind the batteries and I drilled a thru-hull water intake. This project took 4 full weekends to complete. If you are able to sucessfully complete this project you will become intimately familar with the layout/plumbing/wiring of your boat. My wife is happy to have air&heat on Mother's day. Good luck, Mark
BayBum38ft	posted 05-08-2011 11:28 AM ET (US) Congrats on finishing the project. What is the model number of the Dometic unit and did you include the reverse cycle heat option? Where did you buy the Dometic unit? I will be using my Honda EU2000i generator to power the unit. I would like to see any pictures or drawings you have. I have 3 batteries in the aft bilge, a picture of how you installed the raw water pump and strainer would be helpful too. On a different topic, I had to replace 3 of the wall panels in the aft cubby area. The starboard panel, the panel behind the head compartment and the panel that spans across the back wall. The plywood panels were rotted along the bottom edge from a water leak that collected in the aft starboard corner of the cubby area. I cut new panels from 1/2" starboard and I am in the process of fitting the new panels. Thanks Greg BayBum38ft@gmail.com
mrdrago	posted 05-09-2011 05:41 PM ET (US) Greg, funny you should mention that. Last summer I had those same three panels replaced with starboard as well. I kept getting water in the rear cubby. After installing the starboard I calked really good between the board and floor and now get no water in. I bought the airconditioner from West Marine. I think they only sell one 6,500 Btu unit. It came with everything necessary to install the unit. However I do not recommend buying the kit because a lot of the pieces cannot be used for example the through hull needs to be 5 1/2 inches and it only came with a 3 incher. The seacock was also too small need 3/4 inch. These whaler are well built. Any help I can provide fee free to post I know how hard a project this was and half the work was figuring out what to do. Is there a way to email you the pictures. I'm not sure I know how or can post pictures here. Good Luck, Mark
mrdrago	posted 05-09-2011 05:45 PM ET (US) Here is the model information. Dometic Environmental: 6,500 BTU/Hr. EnviroComfort, 5.4A/7.0A Draw @ 115V AC Cool/Heat, 12.25"H x 13.25"W x 17.75"D, 5" Duct Size