Battery-Powered Boat Air Conditioning
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- Clark's battery-powered air conditioner is one step away from being available to the public! We've received a prototype to install as a test. So today, we sit down with David and Kendra on SV Blue Moon, their 35 foot S2, to decide if it will work for their boat and their lifestyle. If so, we'll install the unit aboard Blue Moon.
Order your own Air Conditioner at
marinedcac.com/
Orders will be taken, Patreon patrons of Emily and Clark's Adventure will be first served in the order of their past generosity.
If you haven't filled out the survey here's a link to it forms.gle/Lsbok8NUzsUiWtm56. filling this out will put you on the mailing list.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Intro [00:00]
Hello, David & Kendra [00:42]
Intro Music [00:50]
Meet David & Kendra [00:59]
Why this A/C? [02:35]
Expectations for this system [03:35]
Power/battery requirements [05:46]
Unboxing the unit [08:43]
-----Compressor [09:05]
-----Condenser [09:45]
-----Filter Dryer [11:48]
-----Saltwater Pump [12:18]
-----Boost Converter [13:08]
-----Refrigeration Hose [13:30]
-----Compressor Control Unit [14:05]
------Air Handler Speed Control [14:36]
-----Thermostat [14:53]
-----Fittings & Hardware [15:30]
-----Copper Tubing [15:43]
-----Potentiometer (Compressor Speed Control) [15:50]
-----Air Handler [15:00]
Summary of space requirements [16:38]
Are they ready? [17:13]
Upcoming Videos [17:27]
HOW TO BUY THIS AIR CONDITIONER:
[Link coming soon]
SHOP RECOMMENDED TOOLS & SPARES FOR AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION
a.co/9jSilPx (contains affiliate links)
Note: Our Patreon supporters will have the first chance to buy this unit. Join the crew and get a consultation at www.Patreon.com/EmilyAndClark
(Apologies for the sound issues on this video. We had a fan running, which helped with the heat but not the sound, and it didn't agree with our camera's noise cancelling settings. If it was just us, we'd have done a re-shoot, but didn't want to put our friends through a second filming session!)
---
Have questions or comments? Leave them below! We do our best to read and answer all comments on our channel.
-----------
LINKS TO PRODUCTS WE LOVE (Affiliate links to things we actually own, use, and recommend. We are almost never paid by companies to endorse products. If we are, we will tell you in the video): www.amazon.com/shop/emilyclar...
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the BELL to see new videos every week, and more content like this.
CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR CHANNEL FOR $1 OR MORE
Patreon: / emilyandclark
PayPal: www.paypal.me/emilyandclark
Buy S/V Temptress shirts and swag: teespring.com/stores/emily-cl...
Check out our favorite products on Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/emilyclar...
CONNECT WITH EMILY & CLARK
Facebook: / emilyandclark
Instagram: / emilyandclark
#emilyandclark #emilyandclarksadventure #capablecruising
Great work Clark!
I’ve been watching this system for two years now and I think one of these might just be in my future.
Thanks for all you and Emily do for the boating community and others.
👍So amazing to see someone live off grid and do their own R&D for the creation of new technologies that are superior to anything you can hope to find. This is how we save the 🌎 world🌍. Thanks 4 BN 😎⛵
Hey Clark, just a quick note to say congrats on finally getting your AC vision to completion. I am sure you will find a lot of sailors wanting the system. A suggestion for your 2.0 design is adding a second head with a "Y" valve to allow you to switch between 2 locations..... just a thought!
Sure. And since it's a kit you could do that yourself quite easily.
Really happy to see this - looking forward to seeing the following videos on install etc.
Yep coming next weekend. Lots of footage to sort through.
Spoiler... It works!
@@EmilyAndClark that’s a good spoiler.
I love the process : establish requirements , match against capability and capacity and test against expectations all done before lifting a screwdriver . Way to go sir!
Thanks Richard
This is fantastic! Ottis is an engineer and I, Kim, am a nurse. What a coincidence. We are following for the installation!
Great post Clark. How good the feeling is to be able to help people problem solving and living better lives. 💛🥰🌴🌞⛵
Yes one of the best parts of this CZcams thing has been talking on the phone with our "Dream Believers" Patreon tier and helping them get their boats set up for voyaging.
Well done! Can't wait for the install vid!
Im very excited about this. I have a Beneteau 49 with 2 Acs that are designed to run on SP or from the genset. I have plenty of LIFePO and would love to set this arrangement up in my sleeping cabin. I look fwd to the install and info on purchasing. Cheers
I am so looking forward to getting one of these when they’re ready.
This is terrific! I need this for our forward cabin.
Good information! Thanks for sharing
So excited for this and perfect timing!!!!
This is great Clark, glad your project is materializing so nicely :)
Thanks Leandro
Awesome! Might need one of those down the road a bit!
Very exciting 👍can't wait to hear more.
Awesome ! You are a great asset to the sailing community Emily and Clark
So nice of you to say. Thanks
Hi Clark, great video yet again, looking forward to the actual installation video
cheers
Thanks Andres
Congratulations! A man has an idea and it is brought to realization. I dig that. Looking forward to the install vid.
Very informative! I definitely have space for that unit and also an aft cabin sleeping arrangement. looks like a great product.
Thank you.
Very nice .Good job!
Thanks Drew
Great system. If there was a keel cooler sized for it similar to the keel cooled fridges, the seawater system could be eliminated. I imagine that the seawater system will be the more likely to require maintenance and have failures.
Keel cooler love it
Does it need an inlet and an sea water outlet?
Keel coolers are pipes outside the boat that fluid passes through to dump heat. In this case it would replace the condenser, water pump, all water hose and filters.
And sure you could use a keel cooler if you want. They are no longer very popular. Hard to install and hard to keep clear of growth but very effective.
@@EmilyAndClark
The dutch build theirs litteraly into the keel... Metal hulls.
How about a PET/plastic/copper cooling coil system that you can hang over the side or stern at anchor fit via QD hose connectors.
There are new types of pump available that are 33% more efficient but the Co thats producing them is only selling to OE manufacturers.
See... lets have a think about it channel. The other thing is PVT hybrid panels ...on a boat using water cooling heat transfer isnt a problem.
BTY
The final section of this should be interesting. Heres an new insight to generator ICE power ...liquid rotary pistons.
czcams.com/video/10SZdOElG1A/video.html
I’m excited to see the installation and would be interested in a unit at some point early next year.
Helping humanity and having fun too ....
Well done!
Thanks
Can't wait for next video
Tomorrow morning!
Great unboxing! Sign me up to buy one as soon as I get a boat ;-) Well done team!
BRAVO!!
I WANT ONE!!!! 🙏🏻🙌🏻
I have been patiently waiting for this!
Sorry. And yes me too, it's been a long process.
It felt so good when the production model finally pumped out cool air.
@@EmilyAndClark I am lithium ready with 280 AH and 200 watts solar. LMK when you have it ready.
Either watch the description in this video or fill out the survey to be put on the mailing list.
Also that's not a lot of solar. You might have to run a generator occasionally.
Do you have one of these : www.emilyandclarksadventure.com/bbms yet?
Wow, this is a game changer
Thanks Robert.
Glorious! 🥳
Thanks Blair
Impressive this was accomplished despite lockdowns and supply shortages. Meter sockets are now backordered. Electrical work is getting crazy.
Yes. This and the BankManagerPlus have been a real challenge.
I can’t wait to see the final install and eventually the price for what you expect to see the kit sell for!
Thanks Greg, Last I talked to the manufacturer these should cost just under $2000us
I want one!
We are down to the last 20 kits. This might be it as the guy selling them for me didn't follow through and I'm not interested in running this business.
If you check the description of this video you will find a form. czcams.com/video/_M0OiAi5rEM/video.html. Fill it out and very soon you will get an email with details.
ALL SOLD OUT !
Actually it's just starting up again. I got a different guy to run it.
Fill out the survey in the description to get on the mailing list.
@@EmilyAndClark I have a "better" and substantially cheaper way to do this. Unfortunately I failed to patent it as an existing patent from 1958 existed . Key : Don't compress the gas pump only the liquid and use SOLAR or other heat source to gain the pressure (PVT) . Rest of the system is the same . the pump needs to be 100psi capable and about 9L / min and use only LPG as the refrigerant. or Y1234. The liquid pump is 75% more efficient than the gas pump and uses an accumulator and a thermo valve for the ejector / expander nozzle.(in stock at your local auto shop). I calculated without losses about 9Watts to pump for each KW of cooling. And yes I ran this by the local technical colleges, who got excited, but then covid came.
A solar thermal panel of about 2M^2 is sufficient and the greater dT gives more rapid cooling ie. to cool from 100C to 50C happens quicker than from 50C to 20C.
I spent too long designing a ceramic single piston inline pump that was hermetically sealed and run by external coils .
Congratulations on your new baby! I hope all goes well on the install and I shall be eagerly awaiting the results. Well done!
Thanks Iggy.
Spoiler... Yep it worked!
Seems like a nice product. Thank you. When do you plan the other two videos?
Pretty much right away, like next week.
We have been asked to do a video about how to enter and clear into Luperon by the local government. I think that would be useful to cruisers. I know that "landfall legalize" was a big part of my early concerns and some misinformation has gotten out recently but I think we will probably do the install video first.
@@EmilyAndClark great. Look forward to them (and the air con). The next two videos will be important for self installers. Thanks
Your the best man
Thanks
Is there a sea water pump and seawater filter system pushing water through the titanium loop coil? I was always amazed at how much sea-life got stuck in my traditional AC seawater filter - having to clean it out every day or two!
Yes I strongly recommend a strainer. According to my research the titanium condenser should show less growth then the copper nickel. That was the main reason I chose this material. But also... Titanium is cool!
So funny every time you said the word AC there's two started glowing like a light bulb.💡
Yes wait till you see them talk about it after having played with it for a couple of nights.
👍!!!awesome
Thanks Bryren
I’d like a ducted air handler so I can have an inlet hose on one side of my cabin/bunk and the exhaust on the other so I can recirc the air with all the equipment contained below my bunk, in a cabinet or somewhere else. Only the controller and a couple of diffusers would be visible.
Yes that is similar to how I installed on Temptress (see other video). This air handler can accept hoses. In your application you might want to join the 4 smaller ducts to one big duct or replace the air handler faceplate and make your own.
Just make sure the air handler gets air from the space you are blowing it to.
what are the dimensions of the air handler? You showed it horizontal but can it be mounted vertical as well? Can't wait to see the next video.
You would have to modify the water catchment to mount it vertical. Bet it's do-able.
Dimensions in the description.
Just curious why did you go with water cooled not air cooled condensation and do you have a version available for air cooled I think it would be something for a van lifer to set up in a closed sleeping space
Water holds a lot more heat then air so it's more efficient. We have a lot of it around on boats.
I plan on developing a version for vans, RVs and semi trucks.
Other obvious developments include a heat pump version.
Does the saltwater-cooled condenser also produce any ambient heat such that it would be better mounted outside of the space to be cooled? If the space that it (compressor/condenser) occupies is well insulated, will the compressor be unhappy that it isn't being air-cooled sufficiently (or is the refrigerant going through it good enough)? Just thoughts about testable things since it's a new product : )
The condenser doesn't radiate much heat. When charging the system this week the final refrigerant temperature from the condenser was under 90f and the incoming water was probably about 85f.
The compressor is cooled by it's refrigerant but that's counter productive. Its best if you placed the compressor outside the cooled area and blew air on it but it doesn't seem necessary.
There is a temperature probe on the compressor and it's control board will stop it if it gets too hot.
@@EmilyAndClark Lovely! Sounds pretty bulletproof even in less than optimal conditions. You should have designed automobiles, but I'm aware of planned obsolescence so that's a useless observation.
Would this work as a heat pump as well? For colder days?
Sure would. Just need a reversing valve, two one way valves and another expansion valve.
Eventually I'll set one up that way.
If you do it first please report back your findings
Great product. Where does the condensate go?
Thanks ☺️
Either the bilge or your water tanks. Your choice based on your choices in water quality
@@EmilyAndClark I wouldn’t drink it. a/c condensate = mould spores etc??? I’d use a separate collection tank if possible.
Yes. And aluminum oxide from the evaporator fins.
I heard that Sailing Nahoa installed 3 Marbu AC 12V units and they have all failed while crossing the Indian Ocean
That's sad to hear. I heard much the same from a boat dealer who contacted me about my unit. They won't buy them anymore.
Is the control board protected in any way from the salty environment?
Yes it has a coating but the connectors are exposed so you shouldn't mount it (or any other part) where it would get wet.
well, im definetely even more interested now that you showed us the parts!! im assuming i could mount the condenser vertically?, or any other orientation, really. let me know.
im actually buying parts for both my fresh & salt water systems, and im obviously having 2 separate pumps for that. can i divert water from my existing salt water pump or would i need to install that smaller one?
as you mentioned before the air handler is indeed the bulkiest item and the one i would like to see improving towards a smaller footprint, is there any alternative? its going to be a real tight fit as it stands, not impossible i guess, but real tight and seeing that i have a 29 footer, any space saved is gold.
Condenser can be mounted in any orientation. Have the refrigerant enter in the top and leave on the bottom.
If you use a bigger salt water pump the package will use more power. But as long as enough cool water is flowing it will work. On Temptress I share a pump/water circuit with the fridge. I serve the AC first but if either is running the pump spins.
I think this air handler is likely the only one for a bit. It's oversized (rated for 10,000btu/h but I don't see many others available without casting our own plastic shroud.
Maybe once we have sold a bunch of these and have more investment capital.
@@EmilyAndClark great news/info.
wasnt really keen on having to plumb another pump in, as i like to keep things to a minimum, both on install, maintenance and breakage wise, but i guess i can always install the smaller one and use the big one as a backup
most likely i will open the handler and design a diferent box to fit my needs.
all good, im happy to do that
Is there anything to be gained by using a micro controller to control the compressor scrolling as opposed to manually setting the speed?
Maybe. I'm looking into designing my own thermostat that can throttle the speed of the compressor, air handler and water pump.
It will retrofit on units sold with the base thermostat if I decide it's worth the savings in power.
@Emily & Clark's Adventure mini-splits seem to do this pretty well; scrolling to maintain setpoint and timing out when the temperature setting is satisfied for a set period of time.
I'm looking forward to controlling the fan and water pump based on actually system need measured by refrigerant temperature leaving each stage.
We have a 24v boat already so this should be awesome! Is there a recommended sq footage max?
We will have to come up with a 24v system. You will probably get a 24v salt water pump but the air handler might need to stay 12v (it uses much less power.
I'm going to try to run a test tomorrow am to calculate the actual BTUs moved out. Once I have that number you can use normal recommendations.
@@EmilyAndClark for the 12v parts I can get the same type of dc converter from 24v yo 12v very easily
Sure. We will likely supply that but you might be able to just use the speed controller at 24v, as long as you don't turn it up beyond half. (We will have to run tests)
@@EmilyAndClark I have a couple of them dc converters already due to some boat electronics not available in 24v
Yep, I bet that you 24v guys all do. Good information.
Off the shelf those air handlers come equipped with a 1 ton (12k) BTU evaporator and matched TXV. Obviously you match the evaporator and condenser capacity in order to have proper dehumidification, but that compressor specs out at something like 5k BTU capacity with 100 degree condenser and 70 degree evap and 6000rpm. A fellow cruising engineer and I were talking and concerned about the amount of superheat being delivered back to the compressor and potential for shortening it's life, are you able to regulate superheat enough to keep it within the 10* or so range it should be? I was thinking that was the point of the pwm on the fan to limit the amount of heat exchange seen in the evaporator. No concerns with not having 1m/s airflow over the compressor as recommended to cool it? Looking forward to the upcoming videos!
I do hope I'm not missing something here but the compressor seems to run cool and has for two tropical seasons with virtually no airflow. But I've not run it at full RPM for an extended period as I'm going for "just enough" cooling and as much efficiency as I can muster.
I'm running the condenser sub-cooling at 10f.
@@EmilyAndClark 10f subcooling sounds about right, IIRC they post their ratings at 10f superheat and 8f subcooling. My biggest concern was regulating/picking up too much superheat and it shortening the compressor life and then without recommended airflow over it made me wonder. I wasn't sure if you would be able to control your superheat on the suction side enough by running the TXV more open and slowing the airflow over the evaporator to reduce the heat that the refrigerant is picking up and raising the superheat out of normal range since the volume of refrigerant the compressor can supply at 5kbtu is less than what the larger evap is designed. I was thinking this could translate into higher superheat as the saturated temp is most likely reached earlier on in it's path through the evaporator and it starts picking up superheat after that point. Being a military based contractor I'm sure they have significant safety factors and durability built into the design so even if you are you're probably okay, as demonstrated by your extended use. I just want to sidenote my comments with that I'm not trying to circumvent your efforts, my sleeping quarters are smaller and require only around 1500-1800 BTU/hr based on the 14btu/ft^3 estimate so I'm looking at some of the smaller/cheaper Chinese made scroll compressors to see if they might be a better fit for my first attempt at real HVAC design...really wishing I hadn't sold back that college textbook so I had beer money right about now. Lol. Thinking I might try adding a reversing valve for heat as well, I froze my butt off some nights on my way south from Maine this fall and I'm stuck in the US for a few more years earning my tenure at work.
I've worked with reverse cycle compressor heat pumps before but they were cap tube. In fact this is my first expansion valve effort.
The only way I can figure out how the get the metering to work backwards is with two expansion valves and two one-way valves.
Am I missing something better?
Obviously I want to offer a heat pump eventually.
Are there available now ?
Yes. MarineDCAC.com
Hey there. Can your air conditioner be powered with AC/shore power? Boat is in fresh water.
Basically yes. Just plug in your a/c battery charger. As long as it can put out like 15 amps average your good.
I MUST USE ALL CAPS FOR THIS COMMENT BECAUSE I AM EMPHATIC: I CANNOT WAIT TO LEARN HOW TO CHARGE AC LINES FROM YOU. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT FOR A COUPLE YEARS, AND COULDN'T EVEN FIND A WEEKEND CLASS TO DO IT, BEST I FOUND WAS A HVAC SCHOOL THAT WANTED ME TO ENROLL FOR A SEMESTER. (In the area where I am now, the idea of an individual doing this kind of stuff is seen as evil-- taking jobs from those HVAC tradesmen!)
Yes I hate protectionist unions. It's basically extortion. And I include the US AMA in that.
If you need to charge a cap tube system I already did a video on that last winter. In fact I did a 3 video mini class on refrigeration I'd recommend as a start.
This upcoming video will show how to charge an expansion valve system using the "sub-cooling" method.
What is the BTU output. I think you said variable speed so is there a BTU range? Trying to see if the size will work in our boat (monohull). Thanks.
We haven't done proper BTU testing yet. Most companies just pass on the rating of the compressor.
Our compressor manufacturer says at the typical temperatures it should operate at on a boat it should be 2889 to 5328 BTU/hr at 100f condenser. We seem to run about 90f in Caribbean temperature waters so we should do better.
@@EmilyAndClark thank you.
So how do we order one ?
Become a patreon supporter. Sorry to be crass but they get served first.
The webpage should be up this week so check back on the descriptions of these videos.
Or fill out the survey in last springs AC video. It's still live and it will put you on a mailing lists.
I'm ready to pick up two units. I do have a concern about running the compressor at reduced speed. What have you done to address keeping the oil from pooling in the lines when the compressor is running at low flow?
The variable speed compressor systems I'm familiar with run full speed for a short period of time on a programmed schedule to force the pooled oil back to the compressor.
Where in FL is the pick up point? I plan to leave FL to go to Guatemala at the end of this month.
I expect your design to work really well on my 40' boat, because I have an insulated hull.
I like your idea. I ran the the AC on Temptress for over a year before I saw that issue. On Temptress I used a way oversized supply line (3/8 I'd hose) going up. It was a mistake.
In this unit I have spec-ed 1/4" of copper supply line. Much higher velocity and more in line with the pumps capacity.
Eventually I'll be developing a custom thermostat that will control all aspects at variable speed for greatest efficiency. I'll likely run fast after each days initial ramp up.
The units are being assembled in Tampa FL.
Unless you have been a Patreon supporter of our channel it's unlikely you will get two of the first 100 units that are about ready. Our channel supporters are getting first dibs based on lifetime contribution.
More will be coming but I doubt they will come out this month.
@@EmilyAndClark I'm something changes in the supply chain let me know. I'm currently in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
Fill out the survey and get yourself on the mailing list.
Or you could contribute big on Patreon (basically I just realized I've set up a system trying to be fair that lets me be bribed). :)
I’m building out sprinter vans and very interested in these for our builds
Yes we will be offering an air cooled model eventually. We are also planning a "heat pump" model.
@@EmilyAndClark Could it be used as is, drawing from a fresh water tank rather than a thru-hull? Then drain to the exterior of the van.
You would quickly run out of water. Best efficiency is with an air blower over the condenser. I'll work out something.
I really want to pull the trigger on this....but I cant find any reviews on youtube or on blog sites, besided the couple in the video. I really want some actual people who bought it to provide real world feedback. Any where I can go and look?
No not really,
The guy who I contracted this out did nothing with marketing. He dropped the ball. Didn't even pay my royalties.
I've shut down the contract and in settlement he has agreed to send me the last 20 kits.
So no I don't know anyone to refer you to except these guys. They just went through the Panama canal and are loving it. Only complaint is the air handler bracket started rusting so they had to paint it.
I hope to find another, more responsible, guy to run this. If I don't the 20 that I have might be the last kits. I don't plan on running this and ordering more components.
So if you decide to pull the trigger email me at emilyandclarksadventure@gmail.com
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Where do I buy it?
Check back to the description of this video. Soon (I hope within days) there will be a manufacturer link.
Or fill out the survey and you will be emailed
Sorry, that I mist it, but how to buy the ac?
Very soon there will be a link to the website in the description of this video.
The website is still finishing final touches I understand.
Check back in a week or so.
Swamp cooler? Maybe?
No, not at all. This is a real compressor type system like you would have in your house or car. It removes humidity unlike a swamp cooler that raises humidity. It's just WAY more efficient.
COP is a great measure of efficiency. Most compressors are less then a 3. Elon puts a 5 in his new Tesla cars. Mine is around 8!
@@EmilyAndClark Sweet!
Hey Clark, been a subscriber for a while now, we have donated our AC unit when I removed all the 220v equipment on board, we are heading to Luperon now and hope to meet up with you when we arrive later April, I'm very interested in getting a replacement like what you designed, we have a small YT channel wete trying to grow, as well. Safe journey and hope to meet one day. Michael
Looking forward to meeting you guys.
Why not a high velocity fan, at 1.1 L 1.3 M 1.6 H AMPs … will keep you cool and keep mosquitos off of you when your on the hook
Helps. This helps more.
Jesus that's a lot of parts
Yep, It's a kit.
How many BTU's?
I'm not precisely sure but the compressor should be able to be turned up to 4k if I remember correctly.
I'm not working with them as much as the guy I contracted it out to at MarineDCAC.com
I never need to spin one that fast to do the work. Lower energy consumption at lower power of course.
i have a doubt, does this system remove CO2 rich air and introduce fresh air to the conditioned space?
i was wondering if excess CO2 concentration would kill you in sleep.
It won't. Your doors just don't seal that tight.
Easy test. Close your door and see if you die.
@@EmilyAndClark it would be an exciting experiment 😅
FYI: Patreon is kinda sucky software from the consumer side. They just tried to auth my card for $15B. That's billion with a B! Eventually I was able to become a patreon.
I was wondering- is the condensor using titanium? Or did you mean copper-nickel is "the new titanium"? I'm actually getting parts of my new rig made out of titanium. It's my favorite material.
I'm ready to buy 4 AC units, just tell me where to wire the money!
It's actually titanium!
And yes I have very little respect for the programmers at Patreon.
Thanks for becoming a "Dream Believer" patron. I sent you my phone number over there. Assuming the software lets you get the message I'm looking forward to talking on the phone with you.
I want ac for my dog 🐕
You know. I hear that a lot
Aye m8s! What happened to your sound in this one? It sounds like over condensed?
We left a fan running. Not our best work but no time to reshoot
Aha. Maybe a fan club 🤣
It sounded quiet at the time. Wasn't.
: )
Control yourself Clark. It's an AC not the world's first fusion reactor. Jesus man. Get ahold of yourself.
It is the world's most efficient marine AC. I think it is an accomplishment.
Thanks.
Some people just don't understand art.