Cooling off via a New A/C System

The Ghost of an Air Conditioning System 

Storage cabinet where old the air conditioning
unit was located.

When the Johanna Rose was finally floating at the dock, the heat of the Florida summer was just starting.  Fortunately much of the refit work was moving to the interior of the boat.  The idea of installing an air conditioning system rapidly became a top priority.    Fortunately, the Johanna Rose was previously fitted with an air conditioning system.   While the old system was long gone, the remnants of the system made planning for the new system much easier.

The old unit was located in cabinet just forward of the head.   The photo to the right shows the cabinet space which contained the unit.  The photo below shows the cabinet space and the original air return grill for the air conditioning system.  Another remnant of the old air conditioning system was an air plenum junction and ducts distributing air to the V-berth and the main salon.  The duct work was hidden behind a panel in the V-berth closet.

The cabinet space showing the original air return
 grill for the air conditioning system  

Hidden duct work found behind
a panel in the V-berth closet.

Forward V-berth bulkhead showing
the air conditioning vent for the main salon.

Deciding on a New System

Many air conditioning systems were considered.  The main criteria for deciding were size limits (~14" W x 21"L) and cooling capacity of around 16,000 BTU/hr.

A/C Systems Considered

• Marine Air EnviroComfort 16,000BTU  ECD16K-410A  
  • 13.5”H x 20.0”W x 11.25”D, R410A, warranty: 1 yr
• Webasto FCF 16,000BTU Air Conditioning
  • 14.88" Lx 16.11" D x 12.88" H, R410A, warranty: 1 yr 
• MarinAire   Integra MSBA16K2   16,000BTU
  • 22”W x 16”D x 14.4”H, R410A, warranty: 1 yr 
• Flagship Marine   FM16R
  •  21.5x14.6x13.5, NU22, warranty: 5yr parts / 1 yr labor
• Marine Air Vector Turbo VTK16R
  • 14H x 21.4L x 13.3D, R410A, warranty: 2yr parts / 1 yr labor
• Mermaid M16 16,500BTU
  • 19.75Lx13.5Wx13.75H, NU22, 5 yr warranty

I was not too keen on the systems which only offered a 1 year warranty and also some reviews of these units were less than stellar,  the list was reduced down to the later three.  Mermaid offers a 5 year 5 warranty and at one time was sold by Defender, and so I sent Defender an email asking if they still offered Mermaid units. Here ' what I received back:

        Unfortunately Defender is no longer selling Mermaid AC units. Due to some customer 
        service issues we had, we did server ties with that particular company. 

I went to the Mermaid website which listed an internet price, but when I called for more information, I was told that the price increased back in February and that their "IT guy” has not gotten around to update the website.  Adding all this up told me that going with a Mermaid system was asking for trouble.  

The Marine Air Vector Turbo (and Domatic equivalent ) is general a bit more expensive than others, but they have great reputations.  The main issue I have with Marine Air/Domatic is that the limited warranty is only valid if a Marine Air/Domatic authorized dealer installs the system (add another $1,000 to the price).

From the beginning I liked the Flagship Marine system. To start off with, they offer a 5 year warranty.  The  Flagship units are of high quality, built with domestic 316 stainless steel, bronze, and copper parts.  They are made in the USA with serviceable parts like the Matsushita rotary compressors with devices for low inrush current draw at startup.  They have also been standard on U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard boats for over 10 years.  Their website is very informative, and despite that, I called and emailed them asking questions, changing configurations, and asking for multiple updated quotes.

While this unit was a big purchase for me, I am sure that it was a small sale for them, even though, they treated me professionally and also responded timely.  Kudos to Flagship Marine.  Sometimes you get a feeling you should avoid a company, not so with Flagship Marine.   There were some minor issues: the unit was missing a few labels (water in, out) and missing a plastic electrical bus cover.   Both labels and cover were FedEx over night.  The installation manual is somewhat outdated and is in need of some corrections.  That said, it took just a matter of a few hours before I had the unit pumping out nice cold air.

Flagship Marine FM16R

• Flagship Marine   FM16R  115VAC
  - 16,500 BTU a/c with digital 2KW Heat element , 555 CFM blower
  - remote electronic enclosure
  - 115VAC 11.3A (cool) / 18.1A (heat)
  - 3/4: Groco strainer w/ Monel basket
  - Cal Marine ms580 pump 
  - 25' - 6" fire retardant duct 
  - Anodized aluminum 6" plenum
  
  
  
  
  TOTAL COST: just under $2,200 

The install

Close up view of FM16R unit installed. 

Starboard settee with duct out of sight.
An AC fan is used to help distribute the
cold air coming from the duct.  The digital
thermostat is temporarily located on the
settee self (lower right of photo).

Te raw water intake for the air conditioning
system.  A 3/4" Groco thruhull and 3/4" Groco
Seacock are fed to a Groco strainer with Monel
basket.  The output of the strainer is fed to a Cal
Marine pump which then feeds the FM16R unit.

Fire retardant duct running above the
the starboard settee.

View of the FM16R unit installed in locker.