Summer is here | time to update the yacht’s air conditioning

When prestigious luxury yacht Sanssouci Star was refurbished, no compromise was made in combining its classic appeal with super-modern high-tech equipment. As a result Mitsubishi Electric FR-F800 inverter drives were selected to provide an intelligent, reliable and energy efficient control for the engine room HVAC system.

The Sanssouci Star is one of a few remaining large ocean-going luxury yachts that retain an air of period charm, but have benefitted from a full state-of-the art refit. Measuring 53.5m in length with extensive teak decks and an English saloon that wouldn’t look out of place in a stately home, it is outfitted to the highest levels of luxury.

Able to travel continuously for 20 days before refuelling, the Sanssouci Star can take its passengers anywhere in the world. Since the yacht is a commercial vessel offering charters for events such as weddings, receptions, and exclusive private outings, performance and reliability are essential.

Pressure and temperature control

Built in Germany in 1982, the Sanssouci Star has just undergone major refurbishment. One of the key upgrades was to the HVAC system for the engine room. For the optimum comfort of crew working in the engine room, the HVAC system now combines pressure and temperature control. A digital pressure sensor and an analogue temperature sensor both provide direct inputs to a Mitsubishi Electric FR-F840 HVAC drive.

The first level of control for the engine room fan is provided by the differential pressure transmitter which measures the difference in pressure between the engine room and the external environment. When the overpressure in the engine room reaches the pre-set level, the system switches to temperature control.

As the temperature rises, the speed of the fan is increased according to a curve set in the FR-F840. Full fan speed is achieved at 35°C. Different temperature modes can be selected on the drive’s front panel as required.

EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY SAVING

The Mitsubishi Electric FR-F800 series drives are specifically designed and optimised for HVAC applications, offering increased motor efficiency and maximum energy savings. Embedded motor control algorithms optimise the motor voltage and current based on the desired load. The drive also includes energy monitoring capabilities to capture and display actual energy usage.

Further features include on-board preventative maintenance functions to reduce unscheduled downtime, and an optional LCD display that provides accurate, time-stamped logging and real-time clock scheduling functions.

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