500/520 DB official thread

[Jeremygavin]

Bump... Anyone replaced their Master A/C?

What size BTU A/C Unit is everyone replacing their Master Cabin unit with? Mine came with a 10k BTU like most of the 52DB i suspect. I am looking at a 9k and 11K unit Marinaire offers.

I do think we have a lack of airflow in the bunk rooms so i would like to go with the larger unit if it doesnt add other dehumidifying issues.

Please let me know what you you guys are using and how it is working since?

I think 10k is plenty of BTUs for the space. I think a better solution would be to get an additional vent into the bunk room to get better flow in there. I am not sure how to accomplish that but the problem in that room is air flow from the unit, not tempature of the airflow IMO.

 

[tshannoz]

Yes, I agree 100% that repositioning the drain pan hole won’t be beneficial without a bunch of extra work. Darn.

On the other hand, a stainless pan would be ideal. Hopefully this is an option to retrofit to the older units. Thanks!

 

[spikedaddy99]

I think 10k is plenty of BTUs for the space. I think a better solution would be to get an additional vent into the bunk room to get better flow in there. I am not sure how to accomplish that but the problem in that room is air flow from the unit, not tempature of the airflow IMO.

Yeah, try leaving 2 teenaged boys in there.

 

[tshannoz]

Also, I just completed the install for my Yacht Controller Maximo. Very cool.

Tony, Miguel, and John rocked out support and are an amazing team. Plus our 500/520’s are digital and the install can be 100% done at the helm. Install took about a day start to finish.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Do you have a stern thruster?

 

[Jeremygavin]

Yeah, try leaving 2 teenaged boys in there.

I can imagine. My teenage daughter is bad enough. I have looked into getting more air in there and I am not sure how. I think it would need to go down through the bilge somehow.

 

[rlynch03]

I can imagine. My teenage daughter is bad enough. I have looked into getting more air in there and I am not sure how. I think it would need to go down through the bilge somehow.

I just tested by blocking the master vent 50% with cardboard and it does make a significant difference initially to airflow into the bunk room. Not sure what a hot night will do to each room.
Maybe the 11k btu (that I am debating between that and 9k btu) would do the trick by also blocking the master room vent a bit…

 

[Jeremygavin]

I just tested by blocking the master vent 50% with cardboard and it does make a significant difference initially to airflow into the bunk room. Not sure what a hot night will do to each room.
Maybe the 11k btu (that I am debating between that and 9k btu) would do the trick by also blocking the master room vent a bit…

I would go with the 11,000 BTU unit. The problem with blocking the airflow is you might end up with a frozen unit when it gets really warm and it is running constantly.

 

[tshannoz]

Yes, I have a stern thruster. It is incorporated into the Maximo. The add-ons I did not get are the windless and horn controls.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I just hit 1000 hrs. My service guy said in the manufacturers documents, he could not find anything specific about 1000 hr service. Any thoughts to this? M

 

[tshannoz]

I have been spending a lot of time anchored out, as opposed to plugged in at the marina. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone has added (or has plans to add) a proper house battery bank (preferably Lithium Ion) with monitoring, etc. I would leave the 8Ds and 31’s to only run the starter/genset and bow/stern thrusters, respectively.

I would love to pick your brains about this stuff to make our 500/520s more quiet and capable on anchor without burning diesel.

 

[Jeremygavin]

I have been spending a lot of time anchored out, as opposed to plugged in at the marina. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone has added (or has plans to add) a proper house battery bank (preferably Lithium Ion) with monitoring, etc. I would leave the 8Ds and 31’s to only run the starter/genset and bow/stern thrusters, respectively.

I would love to pick your brains about this stuff to make our 500/520s more quiet and capable on anchor without burning diesel.

I am no help there. I just keep it easy and keep burning diesel in the Genny.

 

[ttmott]

I have been spending a lot of time anchored out, as opposed to plugged in at the marina. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone has added (or has plans to add) a proper house battery bank (preferably Lithium Ion) with monitoring, etc. I would leave the 8Ds and 31’s to only run the starter/genset and bow/stern thrusters, respectively.

I would love to pick your brains about this stuff to make our 500/520s more quiet and capable on anchor without burning diesel.

I have with enough capacity to run the air conditioning in the staterooms. My design, however, also was the engine starting bank which was far more complicated. I have held off due to some new insurance requirements coming down on lithium batteries. These sketches are a bit outdated as the boat now has a Victron Cerbo with shunts installed.

 

[tshannoz]

Thanks so much Tom!

The insurance aspect definitely warrants more research on my part as well. Lithium Ion and solar would be exciting though. Have a great weekend everyone!

Tom

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I havent been on the site in a while not much breaks on a Sundeck and my Verado only has 86 hours so not much to talk about these days. I sure miss my 500DB I even follow it on marinetraffic now and then and daydream about long trips again but for now I’m content with day boating and lower bills Heehee.
Hope your all enjoying your boats this summer..

 

[ttmott]

Bridge roof spreader lights and camera!
My dock neighbor just got a 3d printer and is learning the CAD aspects of it. I mentioned that I was thinking about a printer also because I wanted a housing for a camera and a couple of spreader lights for the bridge roof looking back. Well he took it on as a challenge and made me the most awesome housing. Made from PTEG. It conforms to the roof curve and will look down about 45 degrees. Check this out -
View attachment 146223 View attachment 146224 View attachment 146225 View attachment 146226

Spreader lights/camera is installed. Tape is there until the adhesive cures. For the spreader lights I not only installed a switch in the helm but also a RF remote so I can turn them on from the dinghy when approaching the boat at night. Another project that was way more work than expected....

 

[ttmott]

Spreader lights/camera is installed. Tape is there until the adhesive cures. For the spreader lights I not only installed a switch in the helm but also a RF remote so I can turn them on from the dinghy when approaching the boat at night. Another project that was way more work than expected....
View attachment 147212 View attachment 147213 View attachment 147214

And a view from the camera -

 

[rlynch03]

Spreader lights/camera is installed. Tape is there until the adhesive cures. For the spreader lights I not only installed a switch in the helm but also a RF remote so I can turn them on from the dinghy when approaching the boat at night. Another project that was way more work than expected....
View attachment 147212 View attachment 147213 View attachment 147214

Looks great. Did the lights come with a remote or did you add the wireless components?

 

[ocgrant]

And a view from the camera -
View attachment 147215

Looks great....

 

[ttmott]

Looks great. Did the lights come with a remote or did you add the wireless components?

I got this cheap eMylo RF relay off Amazon to try it and was pleasantly surprised. Range was to the end of the dock; 3 or 4 hundred feet.