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Old 10-24-2018, 01:27 PM   #1
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Best 16,500 BTU AC/Heat for the Buck

Looking for the best priced 16,500 BTU AC reverse cycle heat unit that has good user service history. This will be a snug fit as well. Thanks!
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Old 10-24-2018, 01:38 PM   #2
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In walking down the dock yesterday, and the winter live-aboards all moving onto my dock...


Damned water is pissing out both sides of one of the interlopers, 24/7...


This time of year, you get rid of the sailboat masts and whizz fans... and get some reverse cycle heating units in their place...


No silence for the damned?
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Old 10-24-2018, 02:49 PM   #3
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Sea: Several owners in our club have said they've been pleased with the Vector Turbo units from marine Aiirrrr -- now Dometic -- but I dunno about price comparisons or longevity. Our current Marine Aiirrrr Vector Compact units are 16 years old, seem to be chugging right along.

Roamer: I'm guessing you don't hear ACs running all summer, same outlet sounds... can be soothing, actually...

-Chris
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Old 10-24-2018, 02:59 PM   #4
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I would go with the proven Marine air (Dometic). Service/parts available most everywhere. Defender has decent prices on these units.
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Old 10-24-2018, 03:02 PM   #5
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I went with Marinair out of the Miami area.

Good prices, nice features and not a new company.

Installed 3 units 3 years ago, flawless so far.
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Old 10-24-2018, 03:16 PM   #6
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I have done Mermaid units in my last 4 boats. Good quality units and reasonable prices. Talked today to the owner of my last boat that one went into. He had a problem with it, sent it back and they repaired it in 2 days. 5 year warranty. Just a satisfied customer, no affiliation.
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Old 10-24-2018, 04:09 PM   #7
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I've got two Mermaid units on my ride, ten years old and work well. Nice thing about them is they use household thermostats and no failure prone computer boards. Had a nearby lightning strike that killed a tstat, $40 at Lowes and back in action,
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Old 10-24-2018, 04:12 PM   #8
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I’ve had good success with Ocean Breeze out of Stuart FL. They sell factory direct.

John
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Old 10-24-2018, 04:19 PM   #9
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I have 3 units from Ocean Breeze in Stuart and have been very happy with them.
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Old 10-24-2018, 05:30 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger42c View Post
Roamer: I'm guessing you don't hear ACs running all summer, same outlet sounds... can be soothing, actually...

-Chris

I like a trickling creek same as the next guy... but...



This boat's outlets are positioned higher on the hull, than the summer regulars on this dock that are so equipped, hearing spirited splashing like this one, one thinks the bilge pumps are engaged and he's sinking...


We all try to keep an ear out for one another...


Can these things not be expelled below the surface?
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Old 10-24-2018, 05:47 PM   #11
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Yes, they can be discharged below the surface. But that makes it hard to get a visual on the flow rate. I set them up about 2" above the water line, you can see it but it is basically silent. No splashing.
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Old 10-24-2018, 08:16 PM   #12
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I've got 3 Webasto units and am happy with them. Have a Mermaid unit in my charter boat that has been good also.

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Old 10-25-2018, 11:55 AM   #13
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I've got 3 Webasto units and am happy with them. Have a Mermaid unit in my charter boat that has been good also.

Ted
Was running a 20+ yr. old Mermaid in my boat but had an upgrade in the plans. Last spring when Defender blew out the 11K Webasto FCP Platinum paint blems at $850 I made the move. I think the 16K Blems were $895.
Had this deal not come along I was going to go with Ocean Breeze..
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Old 10-25-2018, 01:59 PM   #14
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Not too long ago I installed from scratch a new Dometic Turbo Vector unit and it is great.

Rotatable discharge, multiple places provided for the condensate drain and the sensor for the temp is not in the thermostat but in the return air flow so it does not mater where you place the thermostat .
It is also quiet.
BILL R.
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Old 10-25-2018, 03:01 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill R. View Post
Not too long ago I installed from scratch a new Dometic Turbo Vector unit and it is great.

Rotatable discharge, multiple places provided for the condensate drain and the sensor for the temp is not in the thermostat but in the return air flow so it does not mater where you place the thermostat .
It is also quiet.
BILL R.
Sounds just like my Marinair.... My 16,000 btu also has pressure gauges in the freon lines for troubleshooting.

They gave me an expensive pump relay for free for buying 3 ACs at a time.

After shopping around, some units were simplified, others had many "features"....

So depending on maintenance and longevity....it's a crapshoot between some manufacturers and lowest price all else equal.

The hard thing about asking about equipment...is any manufacturer could be producing crap or top notch equipment compared to what any of them were years ago....therefore the least complex might be everyone's best bet.
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Old 10-25-2018, 03:03 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by psneeld View Post
I went with Marinair out of the Miami area.

Good prices, nice features and not a new company.

Installed 3 units 3 years ago, flawless so far.
Me too. (not #metoo)
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Old 10-26-2018, 08:15 AM   #17
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The dometic DTU units have fully rotatable blower connections- made my conversion a breeze as I didn’t have to change my lines going out at all.
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Old 10-26-2018, 09:06 AM   #18
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So do Marinairs.
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Old 10-26-2018, 11:05 AM   #19
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Another vote for Dometic Turbo Vector units. Love the molded synthetic pans and they are super quiet
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Old 10-26-2018, 12:16 PM   #20
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Most are super quiet these days... Marinair uses a stainless pan with insulation around the outside.

Perfect after 3 years.

No affiliation or particular like for Marinair, just keeping the playing field equal if it is.
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