41TC new AC unit(s)

[jburris]

Hello, my old 68 41TC still has the split R22 systems. Who out there has replaced the old units? What did you use and where did you place them? I’m thinking three self contained units, one in the lazarette, one somewhere close to the main cabin air handler and something in the V berth to cover it and gally? Thanks!!

 

[jim rosenthal]

We've had several threads on this- do a search for them. I think the concensus is drop in systems which are not split, and a couple of companies of FL have been mentioned. One is Ocean Air, I think. SElf-contained units seem the way to go.

 

[Boatsb]

I get to clear out the water lines for self contained units monthly. I'm not impressed with them when I've seen split units properly installed lasting at least 15 years.

I sell both but the self contained units never seem to last as long as the good split systems.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Well, FWIW my 1971 Hatteras has two split systems on it. The V berth system was installed at the factory. It still works fine. It is nearly fifty years old- probably that old, since it was built before the boat was. The salon system has the original airhandler/evap unit but the compressor chassis was replaced. Twenty years ago. All of it is CruiseAire, but both have been updated to the digital controls.

I hope they keep going so I don't have to face this issue. I do have them serviced yearly.

 

[krush]

I installed new ocean breeze units that they custom made for my dimensions and inlet/outlet and piping configuration I needed. The whole thing is made form stainless steel (I think 316) so nothing will rust. I got the soft start installed and my 18,000 btu/hr unit will start on a 2,000 watt habor freight inverter generator running in eco mode.

Lots of self contained units are junk, especially the ones made by the big brands. They use painted steel that is going to rust away.

The self contained has all the same components as a split unit, so as long as they use quality components, there is not much of a difference.....but it all depends on the maker.

In my 41c, it was refit before me and there is a unit in the salon 18,500 btu/hr(port side, with a small bump out enclosure) that also feeds the master stateroom. In the forward Vbirth bunk, under the stb vberth is the other unit 12,000...it also feeds the galley.

 

[rob71]

Not sure if the space you have is comparable to my 43 DC, but built a box inside the Strbd. wall where the old air handler was. Installed a 19K Btu with a 6 inch Y outlet on top that feeds 2 vents in that wall just below the Windows. I installed a 9K on the floor of the master closet and used the existing vent above the door.
For added reliability I installed a separate pump and strainer for each.
Very satisfied as a live aboard here in Fl.

 

[dottieshusband]

I recently had the bow stateroom converted to self contained. In the salon, I have a Marinaire, in another stateroom, I have a Webasto FF series, and in the bow, I used a Webasto Blue Cool series..... I highly recommend the Webasto Blue Cool line... The all work great, but the blue cool line wins for size per BTU. You can also customize the display with your out logo (but I haven't done it) .. I used an Ocean Breeze split unit to replace the Pilothouse Cruisair. Ocean Breeze seems to be a high quality unit and about half the price of Cruisair for a 16k unit.

 

[Pascal]

Self contained are an economical way to solve issues with splits. I m not a big fan of compressor noise and having to add thruhulls or hose runs but for many people it s worth it. One thing though... you mentioned putting one in the Lazzarette but keep in mind that ACs should not pull air from bilges or lazarettes.

Most self contained are pretty compact nowadays and can often fit where air handlers are with minimal cabinetry work.

Crusair quality has been going down hill over the years. Krush is right about looking at smaller US manufacturers like Ocean Breeze or Flagship. I redid my 53 with a chiller system from Flagship and love it. Simple, well built

Last year one of the two cruisair chillers failed on the 84 footer I run. Boat was only 8 years old then. A new one was ridiculously expensive and required a few weeks to build. I had my air con guy rebuilt it with new compressor, exchanger etc. so far on that same 9 year old boat we have replaced 4 cruisair air handler. Bad blowers, pin holes in the copper etc

Before that I was running a 70 footer with 6 cruisair splits. None of the condensers last more than 8 years and also replaced 3 or 4 air handlers over the years.

So yes cruisair used to be good but now it s overpriced junk

 

[jburris]

Yes, I would have to fabricate a housing for the aft master AC unit to allow ducting of the return air grill to the self contained unit, as there is really no other place to House the AC other than in the lazerette

 

[Boatsb]

Oh no.


I have a 16k split that is 12 years old and a 7k split thats 30.

Both run almost daily. Neither is having issues. I'm afraid if they only last 8 years I'll be screwed soon.


Or maybe they will last longer on my boat because I speak well of them

 

[barkdee]

I bought a Flagship 24k btu condenser unit last month. Excellent quality, good price. My old air handlers are still working so I’m staying with the split system.

 

[Pascal]

Oh no.
Or maybe they will last longer on my boat because I speak well of them

Or maybe it s because you sell them ...

The old ones were almost bullet proof. When I converted to chillers I had 2 AH that were either original or from the 80s and There are many 80s vintage hatteras with original AH or blue condensers.

The new ones are junk. The results speak for themselves

 

[Boatsb]

And only your results are counted.

Properly installed I've not seen many split units fail in 4 years. Most are not properly installed. A little moisture in the lines will kill them. Vacuum the hell out of them. It a quick drop because you have a badass pump. Theres moisture in the tubes if they were open to the air. It takes time and a bit of work for it to come out. Kind of like the truth here. Dont believe the first person to chime in on anything. They usually are looking for recognition for something they know little or nothing of.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Maybe CruiseAire would buy my fifty year old bow stateroom system back from me.... but come to think of it why would I sell it?

 

[SeaEric]

Probably a jinx for me to type this: My 1966 41 TC has both of it's original CruiseAir units in place and working. I'm sure one or both will $*it the bed next week.

 

[jburris]

Both compressors have been changed, I changed the aft compressor three years ago with a rotary style, flushed the system and added a liquid line dryer. My issue is the air handlers use a regular style fan, not a squirrel cage, and they just don’t have much volume and are loud... I really like the chiller setups, but i think those are out of my budget....Thanks for the replies

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Can you rig up a way to convert the fans?

 

[bigbill]

what scott said above is spot on. just because you pull vacuum doesn't mean you have removed all of the moisture. it takes time , not just vacuum

 

[rourkeh]

Over the years I have bought most brands of self contained A/C units and as some of you stated the newer units are junk. The best quality I have found was from Frigomar which is an Italian company but manufactures units for the U.S. market. They build both self contained and chiller units and are the only one I have seen with inverter technology as well.. I installed a couple of the 16,000 but self contained units on my 44' sailboat and ran them 24/7/365 for 2 years and not a single problem. Also the new technology saved me about 35% on my electric bill. By far the best constructed units I have seen, but as with most things you get what you pay for and these are more expensive than the other products out there. But you probably won't have to replace them every two years either.

 

[dottieshusband]

One of the reasons I went self contained on units where it was practical, was the modular install. New anything is not the quality it used to be, and future replacement needs to be part of the planning process. The self contained units are plug and play. They come with digital controls and remotes. No, they wont last 20 years, but when they do fail, it's a $1,500 DIY job. If I get 5 years out of them, I'll be happy.. but time will tell. Just the hardware to replace a 16k Cruisair system is over $5k...then the install.