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Need an A/C system Wabasto verses Marine Air

3K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  Valiente 
#1 ·
I have a 58' Airex foam core boat and need to install an airconditioning system. I am looking at The Wabasto Blue cool system and it looks like this might be a good option as I only need to install one seawater pump for up to three units. I am thinking about using two 12K btu and one 9K btu systems.

I am also considering installing two of the Marine Air system's Cool mate 16K btu systems, but I think I will need to have a separate through hull seawater pump for each system. I am also looking at the Marine Air CHC Chiller Compact system. I currently have a Wabsato heating system that has 3/4" copper lines running to every room in the boat and was curious if I could run the chilled water through those lines that now go to the heating radiators.

Has anyone used the Wabasto systems and what do they think about it.

Thanks David
 
#2 ·
David, Typically the chilled water circulates through a cooling coil in a blower unit. If they are just rads the chilled water will make them sweat gallons of condensation! So you would need chilled water blower units in addition to the chiller. The larger the system using chilled water the more efficent it would be. but if it has one compressor/condensor you wouldn't have any ac if broke down. Surely Marine Air makes the blower coil units too?
 
#4 ·
I spoke to the Marina Air people today and they said I would need 60,000 BTU to cool the boat which is more than I thought. I was told I could use my copper water circut for the chiller line, but I would need to insulate the line. I am now looking to install 3 or 4 separate independant units with one seawater pump then manifold off to the units. I guess I just need to figure out the best place to put the units.
 
#7 ·
I have a 2" though hull for my main engine raw water intake and was told I can T off of this after the strainer to get water for my March pump. I am told there is plenty of water in that line which wont effect the cooling of the engine and its one less through hull I have to worry about. Any thoughts on this?
 
#9 ·
Well, it's pretty easy to figure: If the March pump takes a 1" diameter hose, and the engine takes the same, 2" intake with a T is probably fine. Just remember that the March pump line may want a siphon break at some point, but the MMA folks can tell you about that. Also be aware that the amount of condensation from the chilly side of the unit is going to be phenomenal: you are definitely a candidate for that pricey Venturi unit that sucks it up and shoots it over the side. Below my 12,000 BTU unit is one of the few rusty spots on my steel boat, and I am thinking it's perhaps something I should consider.

I have a four-inch standpipe with four ball-valved Ts: one for the engine, one for the Lavac head, one for the March pump and a spare, which I'll probably use for a salt-water tap in the galley.
 
#8 ·
Air versus air

Back when I worked for a yacht manufacturer we installed Webasto units in a boat that normally had a Marine Air type system. We were on our way to the Miami Boat Show. The Webasto unit failed and had to be replaced 3 or 4 times during the show after the crowds went home. The yacht manufacturer never considered a Webasto unit again after that. Customer service, however, was excellent. But the failure rate was comic.
 
#11 ·
I checked it today, and it's actually a two inch interior diameter standpipe. It's the cap that looks larger. That is the size of the hole in the bottom of the boat. The standpipe cap is above the waterline. It strongly resembles the size of pipe that once took fuel oil in houses in Canada and the U.S. Northeast.

The Venturi unit is here: http://mermaidmarineair.com/marine-division/mermaid_condensator.html

It's pretty straightforward, but is it worth 200 bucks? Maybe, or maybe I can whip one up out of barbeque parts and hose cheaper.
 
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