New Marine A/C Innovations and Release | First Look Series

Velair just dropped this new A/C unit about the time this was posted. Let us know in the comments if you want to see the full review. Hit the link to talk to The Yacht Rigger to explore purchasing.
theyachtrigger...

[@AVMAR]

300 running watts On the 16K BTU Velair 115V unit on the lowest setting 5-6 btu. 500 watts at the Mid speed and 800 watts at the highest speed setting.

[@CaptainBobSVChimera]

Looking forward to the full review!!! This sounds interesting.

[@TheOnDeckChannel]

We are as well. Filming on that begins this week!

[@AVMAR]

update ?@@TheOnDeckChannel

[@AVMAR]

No follow up video?@@TheOnDeckChannel

[@WebsiteVideosTheYachtRigger]

Coooool!!

[@fernandog.1575]

The problem with those units is the affordability. My a/c broke down and a brand new unit is like $1500 Man… And the weather is going crazy, just today it was at 105 degrees f. My sleeping cabin is like a floating sauna 🧖 Does anyone know any affordable place where I could get my old unit fixed in South Florida?

[@bill2292]

Great video Andre! Do you have experience with the 12v DC Air Con units? Wondering about power consumption vs BTU. Also, how many watts does the Velair seawater pump draw? Yes, I'd love a full review!

[@andreattheyachtrigger-pl2ut]

Hi Bill. Yes I am very Familiar with the 12v units. Sold several and I have one on my boat. Stay tuned for the performance video, we will compare them all.

[@bill2292]

@@andreattheyachtrigger-pl2ut Performance video! how cool are you guys!! Can't wait 🙂

[@TheOnDeckChannel]

Haha.. I see what you did there! Niiice.

[@Lana_Warwick]

KZbin being a rabbit warren of hidden gems, perhaps you haven't seen these. My preferred option for >30 foot kzbin.info/www/bejne/hobMnHZ5pr-FfKs, larger due to housing (which could be broken down to look similar to velair size), potential of better option with heat exchanger, more efficient, reverse cycle option, easier parts availability, or full replacement almost anywhere, at around 30% outlay of the Velair. This is the option I'd likely use on a

[@dune_tech]

no more news?

[@TheOnDeckChannel]

I feel ya! I have to wait until the lead electrician is less busy. Turns out, testing these requires a ton of work to hook up and measure and swap! But it's very high on our list. Thanks for reaching out.

[@JohnKJohnson]

4-month report: I have have been using a Velair unit for 4 months; seems OK. Happy with it. It draws about 8.5 amps max (nameplate rating) at 115v (including the water pump) but usually around 5 amps. The "built-in soft start" is nice, as it starts using about 2 amps, then very slowly ramps up, usually to around 5 amps, only, though at max can draw 8+ amps (nameplate rating.) I have stopped using two shorepower lines; 30 amps is ample. (My previous A/C, which worked well, cooled about the same, but drew 17 amps, which is why I replaced it--I thought the compressor was about to fail.) To boost the cooling on hot days (most days in Houston) I usually run the fan at max during the day, rather than "auto." It has a "nite" mode where you can run it at minimum output (lowest fan and compressor speed) at night, about 500 watts, that I use because it is quieter. 16k btu's is a bit undersized for my non-insulated 38' boat (I could use 30k btu's, I think) but it stays quite pleasant, humidity around 30%. The thermostat could be improved upon, is not attractive, has a protruding presentation (not flush) but works OK, and can be controlled thru the internet, which is what I do even when on the boat. With my 5kwh of lithium batteries I can run the Velair for around 4-5 hours at anchor, if I choose [but I also have a DC A/C in the aft stateroom that only draws around 100 watts (including the pump) so is more suited for overnight use at anchor.] My perceptions of downsides are 1) the cabling for the control box is too short to readily remote the box; 2) It might be difficult to find a competent refrigeration technician, because it is more complicated than most a/c units, 3) the unit's condensate drains are placed on the ends, which complicates installation because it is already longer than similarly-sized a/c units (I wish they had put potential drains on each of the four sides,) 4 the cabling is really not elegant at all; some lines are way too long, some are too short, just wadded up at the unit with wire ties.; 5) and, as mentioned, I would have liked more thermostat options. I installed the unit myself.

[@user-xz8ei1we5r]

update?

[@TheOnDeckChannel]

Thanks for asking this. We have a video slated that's going to discuss three of the best marine a/c options on the market and one of them will be this unit. Stay tuned!

[@richardhenrypfs]

Very interested in cooling and power consumption numbers in eco/night mode