AC/Heat Pump

I hear that some of the commercial boats use a residential unit and mount on
top of cabin with better success than marine grade heat pumps.

What brands are best for marine grade? Is this a project that the average
boat owner can handle?

The cost to go with a residential is much less but I am concerned that the
marine products would be better.

thanks for help,
marshall

On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 23:00:52 GMT, "MarshallE"
wrote:

>I hear that some of the commercial boats use a residential unit and mount on
>top of cabin with better success than marine grade heat pumps.
>
>What brands are best for marine grade? Is this a project that the average
>boat owner can handle?
>
>The cost to go with a residential is much less but I am concerned that the
>marine products would be better.
>
>thanks for help,
>marshall

Hi,

The biggest problem would be galvanic corrosion within the condenser's
aluminium fins and copper tubes from salt spray and salt/humidity
laden air. Similarly the evaporator from salt in the air and condensed
water.

Ways to minimise this would be having a louvred cover for the
condenser, and spraying the condenser/evaporator fins with a thin coat
of cold galvanizing spray, then a corrosion inhibitor like boeshied
etc.

Also if the condenser is on rubber mounts, the connecting pipes need a
bit of care so they don't work harden and break from vibration and
movement. Flexible pipes of the right type for the refrigerant might
be a better way to go.

Try asking on alt.hvac (don flame suit first!)

cheers,
Pete.