{"id":27268,"date":"2023-12-08T09:59:05","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T07:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/?p=27268"},"modified":"2023-12-08T09:59:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T07:59:05","slug":"chilling-in-the-caribbean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/08\/chilling-in-the-caribbean\/","title":{"rendered":"Chilling in the Caribbean"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From on board his 46 foot Catamaran Sarava, <\/em>Mark and his family enjoy diving in the blue seas of the Caribbean around their home port of Bonaire – one of the Leeward islands.<\/p>\n

In fact, if there’s a problem at all in paradise it’s that some days are just too hot.<\/p>\n

Until recently whenever Sarava was at sea under sail, or at an island anchorage far from the electricity grid, skipper and crew were faced with a choice between turning off the air conditioning, starting the engine, or running a noisy generator. The power demands of his old Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system were difficult to meet from the DC battery bank.<\/p>\n

Must there always be a compromise between comfort and adventure? \u00a0Not any more, it seems:<\/p>\n

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Realising that there had to be a solution out there somewhere Mark\u00a0did some research and came across an innovative Variable Refrigerant Volume HVAC system made especially for the marine market by Termodinamica<\/a>. In fact Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) technology is well established in land-based HVAC applications but its maritime use is only just beginning.<\/p>\n

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How does it work?<\/h4>\n

Unlike traditional systems which circulate chilled water, VRV systems channel refrigerant directly to individual air handlers in each zone, evaporating it only where needed. This localized approach eliminates energy losses, and significantly boosts system-efficiency.<\/p>\n

Hunter Parker<\/em> of Termodinamica says:<\/p>\n

Our VRV system employs a “Capacity on Demand” philosophy. The system adjusts its cooling output to meet real-time demands. It has Variable Speed Compressors, allowing for precise control over cooling output. And it employs Zoning Control, whereby a central management system directs cooling capacity to specific zones as needed.<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/div><\/a> VRV8 compressor<\/p><\/div>\n

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With the capability to rapidly cool spaces, software-driven Variable Capacity Air Handlers adjust their output to match cooling demands – up to their maximum BTU output – \u00a0and then maintain set-points with minimal energy. The efficiency of the system allows for operation on battery power alone in this example.<\/p>\n

Utilizing modulated refrigerant flow and eliminating the need for a chilled water loop, the system achieves energy consumption reductions of up to 70% compared to traditional on\/off chilled water loop systems.<\/em> Hunter explains.<\/p>\n

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All new utilities and power supply<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The previous power-hungry air conditioning system – along with refrigeration, air compressors, domestic appliances and navigational devices – had to be managed to eke out power reserves, even on short voyages. Even after upgrading to a new Lithium battery system, the skipper and crew aboard yacht Sarava found they still had limited AC run times when using battery storage.<\/p>\n

But with the new HVAC system the vessel runs from battery for 24 hours. A happy balance has been achieved between efficient energy harvest and storage, and manageable power demands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The power supply – which was installed by Maz Ocean<\/a> Marine Electronics Installation – consists of:<\/p>\n