Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
Plan on moving up to 420db. Questions for any owners out there that have A/C on the bridge. How effective and efficient is having A/C with the glass/canvas enclosure vs opening up and getting good air flow. Bear i n mind I am talking south Florida as primary area of operation.
If you wish to read the 34 pages long version of my installation, here's the link: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/54486-420DB-–-Bridge-A-C-and-Heat-Installation
In short, IMO, leaving in one of the hottest parts of the country I would think twice about having any bridge boat equipped with A/C on a 120VAC circuit. I've been enjoying my bridge A/C-heating system for two years now and can tell you that it's night and day difference vs. not having one. As you could see in my thread, I've installed one of the most powerful units ever made for 120VAC. However, for the most part my boat is in the Northeast, so this is why I'm very satisfied. If I was living and boating in FL all year long, I'm afraid that my level of satisfaction could be lower.
Having enclosed bridge makes the space feel like a sauna on hot sunny days. The temps can easily reach over 120 degrees. As I recall, even when you get the bridge A/C option installed by SR, they will explain to you that the unit might knock off 25-30 degrees. Now you do the math. Granted that having A/C running for a while and creating dry environment at around 90 degrees temp and cold air blowing at you is no comparison to those with (no A/C) open curtains running at humid 100 degrees temps. My powerful unit can bring it down to mid 80s, but there's no way I can see lower 70s on very hot summer days.
The biggest issue is that you're simply reaching the limit at what 120VAC self-contained units can deliver. On top of it all, all the 120VAC boats have power management issue and adding monster "juice user" makes a big contribution to power management issue. An example, you can run only 2 A/C units at the time. You trigger 3rd unit and you'll pop one of the main breakers (mostly port side where Bridge and FWD SR units would be wired).
My point is simple, when you compare to bridge boats running on 240VAC, the power management issue pretty much doesn't exist. You end up with more powerful equipment demanding much less AMPs. Let's look at the bigger sister-ships 480/500/520....etc. They have split A/C units (two of them), where two evaporators are located up on the bridge. I don't remember of the top of my head, but I think those are 24K BTU units. Owners of those boats can tell you that keeping the bridge at lowers 70s on hot days is not an issue.
Hope this helps.
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