installing air conditioning in a 45 sailboat and wondering if there any opinions out there on using one versus two units and a typical compressor unit versus water exchanger unit?
thanks
thanks
Sailboat AirConditioning
- Thread starter TBenolken
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Two independent water cooled units are probably 'best' for a larger boat. With the boating industry essentially prostrate during the current depression .... very good deals can be readily negotiated for major items.
Air-cooled AC units will be about as equally popular as a wind-howling roller furling mast by your slip mates.
Strictly water cooled ACs have the best efficiency (power consumption, size, variability of control (heat/cool/dehumidify, etc.) ... the newer modern and efficient draining 'drip pans' from some manufacturers have eliminated the 'super-stinkey mold/mildew factories'. Most newer designs are smaller, lighter weight than previously.
Many of the newer units will soon ship and use the newer "green" refrigerants - as the Montreal Protocol for the 2010 moratorium of most freons is now very quickly approaching ... you will have to decide/bet on buying an AC that if needs a 'recharge' in the near future if the remaining 'freon' stockpile will then be 'still available' .... or NOT.
Air-cooled AC units will be about as equally popular as a wind-howling roller furling mast by your slip mates.
Strictly water cooled ACs have the best efficiency (power consumption, size, variability of control (heat/cool/dehumidify, etc.) ... the newer modern and efficient draining 'drip pans' from some manufacturers have eliminated the 'super-stinkey mold/mildew factories'. Most newer designs are smaller, lighter weight than previously.
Many of the newer units will soon ship and use the newer "green" refrigerants - as the Montreal Protocol for the 2010 moratorium of most freons is now very quickly approaching ... you will have to decide/bet on buying an AC that if needs a 'recharge' in the near future if the remaining 'freon' stockpile will then be 'still available' .... or NOT.
Nope! its freon based. No equipment made after 2010 globally supposedly will be made with the current R22. R134a remains scheduled (Montreal Protocol) for phaseout by 2017; but, individual nations can ban it before the global phaseout limit.
R22, etc.: http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html, etc.
Here's info on one of the 2 proposed replacements for R134a: HFO-1234yf http://www.1234facts.com/ looks like a 'drop in' replacement for R134a but somewhat explosive so Id be wary of it inside a boat.
The other replacement is high pressure CO2 ... not a too bad idea as when a CO2 system catches fire and then explodes ... the leaking CO2 will help put out the fire. :-0
The other replacement is high pressure CO2 ... not a too bad idea as when a CO2 system catches fire and then explodes ... the leaking CO2 will help put out the fire. :-0
The AC on my boat has R12. The guys in the Midas shop jsut got a new AC machine that does 134 and R12. I am going to serivce the AC on my boat. Is there any advantage to putting 134 in or should I just use R12? I have a full 20 lb tank of R12.
(my warehouse is connected to a Midas shop, both owned by my investor, so I have access to all the equipment in the midas)
(my warehouse is connected to a Midas shop, both owned by my investor, so I have access to all the equipment in the midas)
I'd go with 12, Scott, since you have it available.. It works about 10% better than 134 in the same equipment.. Not green but you won't be leaking any anyway, right. The other thing is that the older units are designed for the lube that was used with R-12.. 134 is a hydrocarbon based fluid (Tetrafluoroethane) and requires a different oil.. the new oil works great in new equipment, but you could shorten the life of the compressor using the new oil and 134 in the old gear..
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