The Away Setting

[seasalt007]

I have three Technicold 16,000 BTU units on my boat. There is a setting for "away" that is supposed to control the relative humidity.

In SW Florida this time of the year we are in the low 80's for highs and the upper 60's for lows.

When I am "away" should I run all three units or will one handle the job?

In the dead of summer I run all three in the cool only mode...setting the raised pilot house a couple of degrees warmer than the stateroom and salon whether we are away or not.

 

[AusCan]

Perhaps they should be on the "Aweigh" setting.

Sorry Seasalt - I couldn't help myself.

 

[seasalt007]

Perhaps they should be on the "Aweigh" setting.

Sorry Seasalt - I couldn't help myself.

Indeed!

 

[guy with a boat]

I would run all 3 on the “away” setting. The run time and energy use should be minimal, and it will help avoid moisture and mold. Using all 3 will give better air movement throughout the boat (when running) and that helps avoid moisture and mold.

 

[menzies]

I have four units, one in each cabin down below, and one in the PH and one in the Salon.

I put one cabin on HU and the Salon on HU. That does the job.

 

[FF]

ITS WINTER ,in Florida, the dry season , a minor amount of ventilation and the boat will not grow green walls.

 

[menzies]

ITS WINTER ,in Florida, the dry season , a minor amount of ventilation and the boat will not grow green walls.

Actually this is our rainy season.

It is the less humid season.

 

[Dougcole]

Turn the Air Conditioners off when you are away from the boat. Use a couple of small dehumidifiers instead. It will save you money in power consumption and maintenance on your AC systems, notably pumps, strainers and coils.

Also, you won't be pumping raw water through the boat 24/7 while you are not on board. Admittedly, this is pretty safe if you system is in good shape, but still, why do it if you don't have to.

Two little EVA-Drys do a great job on my boat all year round in Stuart.

 

[Steve]

I use a dehumidifier dripping into the galley sink/overboard. It has worked well for years now. It is a fairly large unit so we take it off the boat when we go for a cruise.

 

[HopCar]

I agree with Steve W and Doug, get yourself a couple of small dehumidifiers, like Eva Dry and set them up to drain in a sink. You'll need to get creative adding drain lines. I used aquarium air hose and just stuck it into a hole I drilled into the tank. Didn't even need to seal it.

I also recommend you get a hygrometer so you can tell if the dehumidifiers are working. You are shooting for humidity in the low sixties.

 

[cardude01]

I also use two Eva Dry dehumidifiers. Don’t like running the AC when away with a raw water leak possible. Seems to work well— my walls aren’t green.

 

[guy with a boat]

Are you guys familiar with the dehumidifier function of a marine AC unit? Mine runs 15 minutes every 12 hours. I'm assuming the "away" setting the OP asked about is similar. There is no "running 24/7".

Most equipment on boats last longer if regularly used. I'm confident mine will last longer and have fewer problems if I leave it on than if I shut it down and let it sit. Plus, it keeps the inside of the boat ventilated and dry. Seems silly to me to shut down an optimal system and then rely on supplemental dehumidifiers that won't be as effective and are another thing to store and manage. Boats are hard to keep free of mildew and odors and moisture is a big factor.

My boat is 13 years old. The original AC is going strong and the interior has no mildew or odors. Do what works for you.

 

[seasalt007]

Are you guys familiar with the dehumidifier function of a marine AC unit? Mine runs 15 minutes every 12 hours. I'm assuming the "away" setting the OP asked about is similar. There is no "running 24/7".

Most equipment on boats last longer if regularly used. I'm confident mine will last longer and have fewer problems if I leave it on than if I shut it down and let it sit. Plus, it keeps the inside of the boat ventilated and dry. Seems silly to me to shut down an optimal system and then rely on supplemental dehumidifiers that won't be as effective and are another thing to store and manage. Boats are hard to keep free of mildew and odors and moisture is a big factor.
.

I have one of the old Dry Air Systems stainless steel dehumidifiers. I has worked well since I bought it in the mid 90's for more than $300. It drains into a sink and still works quite well. Mermaid makes a similar one https://www.mmair.com/marine-division/dehumidifier/

The downside is that it is heavy and I don't want to carry it off the boat every time I get underway.

I am going to try the "away" setting for a while and see what happens. I pay a flat rate for electricity so I can go back to all three running 24/7 if need be.