The Glacier Bay Micro Air EP represents the evolution of marine air
conditioning into a true Environmental Control System for yachts .
The Micro Air EP20 (20k
Btu/hr) systems provide a significant advancement over conventional
air conditioning technology. However, to think of them only as
air conditioners would sell them short. Micro Air EP systems not only
control the temperature and humidity of the air inside the boat, they
control the air quality as well.
|
Micro Air EP condensing unit. |
|
The evolution of an industry.
For nearly 20 years the state of the art in
marine air conditioners has been stagnant. The market has grown and, with
it, the number of equipment manufacturers. However, the technology on
which this equipment is based has changed very little. Now, with the
introduction of the Micro Air EP series of marine environmental control
systems, manufacturers and owners of quality yachts have a new and better
alternative. Micro Air EP systems:
Incorporate continuously variable-speed
(stepless) control of both the compressor and blower.
Unlike conventional air
conditioning systems which "cycle" on/off, Micro Air EP systems
automatically adjust the speed of both the compressor and blower to
exactly match the heat load on the cabin. The result is exceptionally
stable air temperature with minimum noise and power draw.
Permit the user to set the humidity
level most comfortable for them.
For dryer air, the compressor runs the evaporator at a lower temperature
to extract more water from the air. For those who want the air cooled
but not too dry, the system raises the temperature of the evaporator in
relationship to the air flow wringing out less water as it passes
through the coil.
Have user-selectable CO2 and VOC levels.
CO2 is a natural by-product of respiration while VOCs (volatile organic
compounds) can originate from molds, solvents, adhesives, exhaust and
cooking. Recent studies have shown that even moderately elevated
concentrations of either can bring about headaches, nausea, dizziness
and a general feeling of malaise. While the problem can be serious on
land (sick building syndrom), it is greatly magnified in the confined
space of a boat where it can be a major contributor to "seasickness".
The Micro Air EP systems constantly monitor CO2 and VOC levels and
automatically pull in enough fresh air to keep them to an acceptable
level but not so much air as to make temperature control difficult.
Have three heating modes; reverse-cycle
(heat pump) only, electric (resistance) only and a combination of the
two. Use reverse-cycle for
maximum energy efficiency, electric only is you are hauled out on the
hard or in extremely cold water or "both" when you want the maximum
heating power under most conditions.
Discharge heat low and cooled air high.
Our computerized air distribution system lets you install discharge
grills high and low then pre-select the ratio of air discharged out or
each "cool" and "heat" modes. Once you have set the ratio you like, the
system will automatically set it whenever you switch between heating and
cooling.
Require smaller ducts than conventional
A/C systems. The "EP" in our
name stands for "Elevated Pressure". Because the Micro Air EP system
operates at higher pressures, it is possible to use duct diameters which
are much smaller than those required by conventional air conditioning
systems. For most installations the Micro
Air EP20 would generally use 5" duct (20k Btu/hr A/C systems
typically use 8"- 9").
Use a modular design to increase
installation options and minimize noise.
By separating the blower from the condensing unit, the Micro Air EP
system gives the installation flexibility of a conventional "split" A/C
system but without the complication of running copper refrigerant lines.
Are controlled through a very
user-friendly touch screen interface.
This is one case when "powerful" and "sophisticated" doesn't mean
hard-to-program. Unlike conventional A/C digital controls that require
you to set parameters by pressing obscure combinations of a limited set
of buttons, our touch-screen simply links you from screen to screen
using text and graphics to allow you to quickly and easily access the
parameters you wish to change. No need to dig through a manual to try to
find the magic button combination. Once you have made your changes, the
default screen gives you the operating status system and indoor
environment at a glance.
Use a proprietary control algorithm to
continuously monitor the indoor air quality and automatically adjust all
system components. For those
used to a conventional A/C system clicking on and off, the Micro Air EP
control system is a thing of wonder. Its sensors note even the smallest
change in temperature, humidity and air quality and use that information
to anticipate trends. By spotting small changes early it can then make
minor adjustments to optimize the blower and compressor speeds and
restrict or increase the flow of fresh air. By making these constant and
small "tweaks" the system ensure an absolutely stable interior
environment under all conditions.
Unique, patented and proprietary technologies.
As an internationally known innovator in
thermal management technologies, Glacier Bay knows that real advancement
doesn’t come from simply assembling off-the-shelf parts. That’s why most
major components used in Micro Air EP products were developed in-house.
These include:
Compressor - All Micro Air models use a
unique, variable-speed rotary piston compressor which offers nearly
twice the highest power/weight ratio of conventional compressors..
Developed by Glacier Bay and now manufactured and sold by Tecumseh
Products Company under the name "Masterflux", this compressor is powered
by a brushless DC (BLDC) motor which allows it to change speed and
adjust capacity to provide just the right amount of cooling for the
load. Also, since BLDC motors do not have an "inductive surge" when they
start, there is no need to oversize generator and circuit breakers.
Blower - The Micro Air blower is a vital
component in our EP (elevated pressure) system. To meet our design goal
of reducing the size of the air ducts, the blower had to provide greater
air flow at higher pressure than the commercial blowers used in
conventional A/C systems. Our high-speed, backward-curved impeller meets
this requirement and does so while operating more quietly than
conventional blowers at similar flow rates. Like our compressors, the
Micro Air blowers use a permanent-magnet BLDC motor and controller to
provide stepless speed control and allow air flow to be optimized for
every environmental condition.
Air-Side Heat Exchanger - Micro Air EP
products are the first marine cooling systems to incorporate an
oven-brazed, 100% aluminum microtube heat exchanger. Glacier Bay, has
developed a way to cost effectively apply this cutting edge technology
in our compact climate control system. As a result, the air-side heat
exchanger on a Micro Air unit achieves nearly twice the heat exchange
capacity per volume as that of traditional aluminum fin/copper tube
coils.
Water-Side Heat Exchanger - Glacier Bay
has long been a leader in designing and building corrosion resistant
tube-in-shell seawater heat exchangers for a variety of applications.
The ones used in our Micro Air systems are an exceptionally compact
design providing high efficiency whether the unit is operating in
cooling mode in the tropics or heating mode in the Scandinavia.
Computer Controlled Air Distributors -
While computer controlled air distribution is common in the largest
commercial HVAC systems, Glacier Bay was the first to develop the
simple, compact flow controllers needed to make it practical for private
yachts. These distributors are used in three ways. They automatically
regulate the influx of fresh air to keep cabin CO2 and VOC levels to
acceptable concentration. Or, used as a "Y" in the discharge duct, they
can be set to optimize the proportion of airflow into different rooms or
switch flow automatically between different outlets to discharge heated
air low in the cabin and cooled air up high.
Touch Screen User Interface and Control - There is only one way to come
up with a user interface and controller to regulate functions never
before available - build your own. The common path of "private labeling"
a generic digital control was obviously not an option for us. Nor was it
one we would have ever considered. What was needed was a controller that
was both attractive and rugged, as incredibly powerful as it was
easy-to-use. What we can up with was a control that effortlessly
translates a few easily entered user preferences into just the right
combination of compressor speed, fan speed, air distribution and fresh
air blending to create the most comfortable, stable and healthy
environment imaginable throughout the vessel.
To speak to a Glacier Bay representative about the Micro
Air EP20 Systems contact marine product sales at 510-437-9100 or by email at
sales@glacierbay.com.
OSSA Powerlite is a
registered trademark of Glacier Bay, Inc.
Masterflux is a registered trademark of Tecumseh Products Company
|
