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Can Self-contained Air Conditioner Install Under Waterline?

Discussion in 'HVAC' started by etang789, Jun 4, 2020.

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  1. Pascal, Jun 5, 2020
    #21
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It all comes down to the quality of the installation.

    the number one cause of insulation failure and condensation is of the insulation is squeezed up. On the Lazzara I ve had two places where it happened. One was in the ER under a cover above the chiller rack. Easy fix... took out the small cover. Who cares if a couple of pipes are visible in an ER. Second has been in the ceiling in the smaller of the crew cabin where space was tight and the ceiling panel crushed the insulation. Easy fix.

    all the piping is heavy duty PVC and I think the last time I used the valve to raise pressure in the system was two year ago...

    as to the circulation pump being a failure point, true. But just like the sea water pump, we carry a spare. Actually I replaced the pump last month, it was 10 years old and started to make a little noise. It wouldn’t be hard to have both circulation and sea water pumps doubled up so you d have a back up ready to go at a flick of a switch and valve... not worth it as long as whoever is on board can change the pump.

    If installed correctly each air handler can be isolated with valves of one fails. A must with crap’air air handlers so you can replace them without shutting down the system

    In all these years, I ve never had an issue needing cooling and heating at the same time, even up north. That’s a compromise I can live with

    The 2 chillers and 5 air handlers for my 53 weren’t cheap... about $20k plus the hoses, insulation etc. i installed it myself And it s probably the best money I ve spent on the boat besides the repower.
  2. Capt J, Jun 5, 2020
    #22
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    These were/are some of the best brands of motor yachts.
  3. mapism, Jun 7, 2020
    #23
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    If some of the best brands use chillers, are you suggesting that they are all wrong? o_O
  4. Capt J, Jun 7, 2020
    #24
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    No, just that the chillers need more management/oversight and maintenance. I've had to replace insulation on chiller lines on all of them, especially the wrapped insulation over fittings and things of that nature, or change/tighten hose clamps, and even large sections of insulation and the boats were all under 10 years old. It just seems that they're always dripping condensation or leaking coolant somewhere. The other problem is the use of rubber hose for the coolant water and hose clamps at every fitting since the system has such a huge temperature swing between A/C and Heat. On one 2013 we had to replace both chillers last year due to major failures. Like I said earlier on 75' and over they're the only way to go, on the smaller boats they just add more maintenance.
  5. Pascal, Jun 7, 2020
    #25
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Poor installation. Just like so many builders can’t handler condensate drain and run the hoses too flat.
  6. mapism, Jun 7, 2020
    #26
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Quality of installation certainly is a factor - as in most boat equipment.
    I still find surprising what CJ reports anyway, particularly since he experienced such maintenance demanding installations on boats from some of the best builders.
    My experience with chillers is exactly the opposite, on several boats from 40 to 80 feet, from Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Canados, Outer Reef, Fairline, Fleming, Nordhavn, Selene, to name but a few.
    Including my own 56 footer, whose only maintenance needed in 16 years was the replacement of air handlers filters.
    But hey, the boating world would be boring, if it weren't so colourful...
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