MarineAir Heat Pump - IP31
Saturday - October 30, 2004•Views: 6545••
I spent 6 months considering all of the options and configurations that were available before I finally purchased and installed the system. I did the whole installation myself and it went very smoothly. I looked at Aqua Air (http://www.aquaair.com/), Cruisair (http://www.cruisair.com/) (located in my home town of Richmond, VA and recently acquired by Marine Air), Marine Air (http://www.marineair.com/) and Mermaid Air (http://www.mmair.com/). I considered both self-contained and split systems.
I choose a Marine Air Vector Compact 16,000 BTU reverse cycle unit that I purchased from Ocean Options (http://www.oceanoptions.com/). This is not the same unit as the Marine Air Cabin Mate (a retail kit) sold through places like West Marine and Boat/US. The components used for both are pretty much the same, but the orientation of discharges are different and the over all cubic inches of space required was less for the Vector Compact. I ended up spending a little more going this route than using a Cabin Mate, but it suited my needs better. The 16,000 BTU rating could be considered over kill for an IP31, but for the little bit extra in cost, I have a unit that can handle the hottest days and perform the initial cool down much quicker.
I installed the unit under my v-berth, with the air discharging to my port side (the IP31 layout is the reverse of the IP32). From the unit I lead a 6 inch duct to a Y. From the Y for the forward cabin, I lead a 4 inch duct to a discharge grill mounted through the side of the hanging locker. From the other side of the Y for the main saloon, I lead a 6 inch duct to a discharge grill mounted in the side of the other hanging locker. The return air for the unit flows through the two louvered doors that serviced the cabinet space under the v-berth. It is best to have the shortest duct runs possible with the fewest angles.
For electrical service, I ran 10 gauge 3 conductor wire down the starboard side behind the dec
I choose a Marine Air Vector Compact 16,000 BTU reverse cycle unit that I purchased from Ocean Options (http://www.oceanoptions.com/). This is not the same unit as the Marine Air Cabin Mate (a retail kit) sold through places like West Marine and Boat/US. The components used for both are pretty much the same, but the orientation of discharges are different and the over all cubic inches of space required was less for the Vector Compact. I ended up spending a little more going this route than using a Cabin Mate, but it suited my needs better. The 16,000 BTU rating could be considered over kill for an IP31, but for the little bit extra in cost, I have a unit that can handle the hottest days and perform the initial cool down much quicker.
I installed the unit under my v-berth, with the air discharging to my port side (the IP31 layout is the reverse of the IP32). From the unit I lead a 6 inch duct to a Y. From the Y for the forward cabin, I lead a 4 inch duct to a discharge grill mounted through the side of the hanging locker. From the other side of the Y for the main saloon, I lead a 6 inch duct to a discharge grill mounted in the side of the other hanging locker. The return air for the unit flows through the two louvered doors that serviced the cabinet space under the v-berth. It is best to have the shortest duct runs possible with the fewest angles.
For electrical service, I ran 10 gauge 3 conductor wire down the starboard side behind the dec
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