Choosing Your Next Marine Air Conditioner
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Choosing the best marine air conditioner for your boat can be a difficult decision. So, no matter whether you are looking to replace your existing unit or you are looking to install one for the first time, the experts at Drake Marine have opted to take a closer look at the available options.
Having the ability to control the climate on your boat helps to ensure that you get to enjoy the beauty of sailing year-round. From those humid and hot days to the cooler winter days, the right marine air conditioning unit can completely transform your experience.
Types of Marine AC Systems
Self-contained marine air conditioners are most commonly used on boats of up to 80 feet, and every major component is affixed to a single chassis. This single unit can then be easily stored and tucked away underneath your bunk or in a locker. Typically, a self-contained unit will be used to cool or heat a single room. It is also possible for it to be ducted out to two rooms as required. The unit is quite a cost-effective solution for many boat owners, and it is fueled by refrigerant.
Marine AC Split System
A split system marine air conditioner works in a similar way to an AC system in your home. The major components are split between two units that are connected by insulated copper tubing. The condensing unit will typically be mounted in the engine room or other mechanical area, while the evaporator unit will be mounted in your living area. By fitting air handlers to your condensing system, you will also be able to cool multiple rooms or a large area.
Marine Chiller System
A chilled water system is used for large boats and features a chiller unit that is able to heat or cool freshwater that is then pumped around a piping loop to cool, or warm, your rooms. There is usually no limitation on the number of handlers in the system or the distance from the chiller.
Which Unit Is Right for You?
Deciding which marine air conditioner unit is the right solution for your boat will usually start by understanding the size of the system you require. You will also need to consider the rooms that you want to be able to control the climate in, where they are located, and the load factor the system requires.
Here at Drake Marine, we specialize in private yachts and military vessels, and we have been providing high-quality models of air conditioners for boats for over thirty years. We focus on providing the world’s best DC Marine Air Conditioner and utilize copper fin technology across our products, helping to provide improved antimicrobial benefits, increased efficiency, and improved longevity.
Our team prides itself on being a leader in innovation. We were the first manufacturer in the world to design and produce dual voltage 230V 50/60 HZ air conditioning units, giving you full control of the climate on your boat. Our patent-pending antimicrobial copper units do not exist anywhere else on the market. Our unique copper fin technology is also highly resistant to mold and bacteria as well as helps to reduce odor. Our 7,000 BTU 12V DC battery-operated marine AC unit was designed for the smaller boats in mind. In addition, we provide a lifetime warranty on our compressors.
Drake’s DC range covers 7,000–16,000 BTU across 12/24/48 V — see the full spec table or size your cabin with the BTU calculator.
Related Readings
Talk to us about the right unit for your boat
Drake Marine supplies marine DC self-contained air conditioning — 12 V, 24 V and 48 V, 7,000–16,000 BTU, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, seawater-cooled, with a full published specification table — quoted, delivered and supported here in Thailand. Because we supply direct, an equivalent unit costs well below the imported brands, it’s in stock at our Trang warehouse, and every unit is bench-checked before it goes out. It runs straight off your house bank — cool at anchor, no generator.
See the Marine DC Air Conditioning Unit → · Work out the BTU you need →
Not sure what size? Email hello@drakemarine.com or WhatsApp +66 99 406 4680 and we’ll size it to your cabins. Running off a house bank? Pair it with a Fullriver AGM bank and a matched multi-stage charger — in stock in Thailand too. See deep-cycle batteries →
