Ingersoll, ON. "When Jeff called back a couple of months later, I could 'hear' the smile on his face!" Dave Tether, the CEO of Electric Marine Propulsion (EMP) in Ft. Myers Beach, FL, had been hoping for good news from Jeff Lemon, the President of Hammond Air Conditioning. Lemon was reporting back on a project that his company had undertaken for EMP, to develop a new high-efficiency air conditioning system compatible with the 144 V power supply of Tether's E-Motion hybrid electric propulsion system for sailboats.
"After Jeff first looked over our test bed, a 47 ft. Lagoon catamaran, he thought he could design a compatible system producing about 15,000 BTUs of cooling. But the 144 V system he actually came up with far exceeded anyone's expectations."
Evolved from Hammond AC's proven 12 V DC technology for trucking applications, the new Arctic WAVE marine air conditioning system will generate up to 20,000 BTUs, while it draws just 850 W from the E-Motion battery packs.
More control, a better sleep
Tether feels that the 144 V Arctic WAVE is a dramatic step forward for hybrid power in sailing. "In our first trial, the system cooled our salon and bedrooms from 85° down to 70° F in about 18 minutes! And we can easily run the AC all night without any recharging."
Jeff Lemon says that one reason for the superior efficiency of the Arctic WAVE system is its use of multiple evaporators throughout the boat. "We don't try to push cool air through a duct," he explains, "we just pump the refrigerant to where it's needed."
Each living space gets its own evaporator, fan and refrigerant line, with its own temperature control so the cooling can be turned off where it is not needed.
For many boat owners, the best part of battery-driven air conditioning will be the chance to enjoy a cool and quiet night's sleep without the noise of a generator cycling on and off all night long.
|
|
 |
Bulkhead mount. Each unit has its own
evaporator, fan, refrigerant line and icontrols. |
|
 |
The new Hammond system is being installed in
the 60' cat Tang while it's being refurbished in
the Merrill-Stevens boathouse in Miami. |
|
 |
Freestanding mount can be installed without
major structural surgery for air ducts if more
AC is needed in large areas such as the lounge. |
|
Less wear, less work
Using the generator to recharge batteries, instead of powering the electrical system directly, conserves fuel and reduces wear on the generator. Jeff Lemon explains: "The recharging system draws at one constant speed, with no surge demands, so you can use a smaller genset to run at optimum efficiency."
Dave Tether notes that the Arctic WAVE system itself is a simple, low maintenance addition to his boat's utilities. "I was surprised," he admits. "It's entirely off-the-shelf parts. You wouldn't need advanced technical skills to service it yourself."
Tether says his propulsion motor is designed for an operating life of up to 150,000 hours - "It will last as long as the fiberglass!" - and the air conditioning system will last equally long.
Recognized leader
Hammond Air Conditioning is the world's recognized leader in integrated aftermarket air conditioning systems for all types of equipment, trucks and boats. Arctic Wolf, Arctic WAVE and Arctic BREEZE systems represent today's most compact, reliable, energy-efficient AC solutions for all leading OEM brands, backed by the best in factory support and parts service.
With more than 30 years experience, Hammond's supports systems for more than 700 different vehicle types - from mini-excavators to motor graders, from heavy mining and construction equipment to material handlers and marine applications.
For more information about Hammond Air Conditioning and the full line of Arctic WAVE Marine AC, contact Denise Henry or Ken Barnard at:
Hammond Air Conditioning Limited
125 Samnah Crescent, Ingersoll Ontario.
Telephone: 1-800 267-2665, Fax: 1-888 267-3745
arcticbreeze@hammondac.com
www.arcticbreeze-truckac.com
|
