Frigomar vs Dometic Voyager air cons

[HKTim]

I've been running two Frigomar 16,000 BTU air cons from my house lithium bank successfully for 6 years now on a Leopard 43PC. But we are looking at a new boat and new air con system that comes with it. I am now being offered the Domestic Voyager variable speed self contained units. On paper they look pretty similar to Frigomar but I have not been able to find much real world commentary on the Voyagers. I believe these units have only been on the market for 2 years or so. Has anyone been using the Voyagers and would be willing to provide some feedback? Energy consumption and operating noise levels are my two main questions. Thanks

[Jerry Woodward]

Giving this thread a bump. I also have the same question.

[s/v Jedi]

Try search on Youtube. Iirc, Tula Endless Summer did a video on these.

[Jerry Woodward]

Yes, I saw that episode. That is what led me to look more closely at the Dometic Units. They mention at the beginning of their episode that their "A/C guru" recommended the Dometic over the Mabru or Frigomar or Velair units.
the rest of the video is about their installation.

The Dometic Voyager unit they installed is a variable compressor unit. Therefore, my gut feeling is that it should be similar in terms of efficiency to other brands with variable compressor speeds (for 120V units). Am I thinking about this right?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Jerry Woodward

Yes, I saw that episode. That is what led me to look more closely at the Dometic Units. They mention at the beginning of their episode that their "A/C guru" recommended the Dometic over the Mabru or Frigomar or Velair units.
the rest of the video is about their installation.

The Dometic Voyager unit they installed is a variable compressor unit. Therefore, my gut feeling is that it should be similar in terms of efficiency to other brands with variable compressor speeds (for 120V units). Am I thinking about this right?

Yes, you do. That said, Dometic is just a label, it would be interesting to know which real brand is behind it. For example, my Dometic unit is a CruiseAir unit with Dometic label. It is a loud power hungry beast.

[Four Coconuts]

I can’t comment on the Dometic, but from what it sounds like “I am being offered the Dometic Voyager” you have a choice? If so, you have got to watch the O’Kelly’s video on the matter. Beyond just trusting manufacturers specification's he actually measures the Dometic and Mabru units installed in his own boat both from a consumption standpoint AND with a BTU measuring device. I had never seen any real world measuring of BTU output- eye opening results. I don’t think it was a variable speed compressor Dometic, and they were different sizes, but it doesn’t matter- the big takeaway is the 60% greater efficiency from the copper condenser of the Mabru and the output vs. manufacturers claims.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFA3FNAHv_I&t=880s

[Jerry Woodward]

[QUOTE=Four Coconuts;3923934]I can’t comment on the Dometic, but from what it sounds like “I am being offered the Dometic Voyager” you have a choice? If so, you have got to watch the O’Kelly’s video on the matter. Beyond just trusting manufacturers specification's he actually measures the Dometic and Mabru units installed in his own boat both from a consumption standpoint AND with a BTU measuring device. I had never seen any real world measuring of BTU output- eye opening results. I don’t think it was a variable speed compressor Dometic, and they were different sizes, but it doesn’t matter- the big takeaway is the 60% greater efficiency from the copper condenser of the Mabru and the output vs. manufacturers claims.

That Mabru unit looks good for sure. But the Dometic unit being compared was older. The Dometic Voyager is the new variable compressor unit that may be of similar efficiency to the Mabru, Velair or Frigomar. I wonder if the Voyager has the copper evaporator?

[Dirk01]

Originally Posted by Jerry Woodward

Giving this thread a bump. I also have the same question.

Me too...

[HKTim]

Thank you to everyone for posting video links and your views. As I said from the outset, I am a convert. Variable speed air con is all I care about. So now I’m just looking for better comparison data among the new generation air con makers like Frigomar vs Dometic Voyager. Hopefully we can find some more info from real world experiences.