The Velair Compact i16VSD SMART (Generation 2) is the 16,000 BTU 115V self-contained marine air conditioner with Variable Speed Drive inverter compressor technology that eliminates the high-current startup spike of conventional compressor AC units. Brushless DC compressor motor that constantly varies its speed to match the cooling load – higher comfort with no temperature or humidity fluctuation, dramatically lower power draw at part load, and the ability to run on smaller generators and weak shore power that conventional AC units would trip. Reverse-cycle heat pump function. R32 refrigerant. Smart Control iOS / Android app for off-the-boat AC management. Generation 2 adds a removable electric box for compact installs.
The Velair Compact i16VSD SMART Generation 2 (part 24832JU) is the 16,000 BTU 115V self-contained marine air conditioner with Velair’s i-line Variable Speed Drive (VSD) inverter compressor technology. The VSD difference is meaningful: a conventional fixed-speed compressor AC unit cycles full-on and full-off to maintain temperature, with a high-current startup spike each time the compressor kicks back on. The VSD compressor varies its speed continuously to exactly match the cooling load – so it runs softly at low load to maintain temperature without cycling and ramps up to full power when you need rapid cooling. Net result: tighter temperature and humidity control, dramatically lower average power draw, no startup spikes, and the ability to run on smaller generators and weak shore power that conventional AC units would trip out.
What VSD inverter compressor does. The compressor inside the i16VSD uses a brushless DC motor with a variable-frequency drive (VFD) inverter that controls the motor speed continuously from very low RPM to full RPM. When the cabin is cool and only needs minimal heat removal to maintain setpoint, the compressor runs at low RPM drawing minimal current. When the cabin needs rapid cooling (just turned the unit on, or just opened a door letting in hot outside air), the compressor ramps to full RPM for maximum cooling capacity. The transitions are smooth and continuous – no abrupt on-off cycles, no startup spikes, no compressor short-cycling. Combined with the brushless motor’s higher efficiency vs. older AC compressors, the VSD design delivers 98% peak system efficiency.
16,000 BTU cooling capacity. 16,000 BTU per hour is the right cooling capacity for boat cabin spaces of about 200-280 square feet under typical marine conditions (saloon area on a 30-38 foot cruiser, master cabin on a larger boat, combined main cabin / V-berth on a 25-32 foot express cruiser). The general marine AC sizing guideline is 50-65 BTU per square foot of cabin space for boats with insulated headliners and 75-90 BTU per square foot for boats without insulation.
115V single-phase operation. The 115V variant runs on standard U.S. 115V single-phase shore power and generator AC. Most U.S. recreational boats under about 35 feet are wired with 115V shore power, making this the right voltage variant for that boat size class. For boats wired with 230V shore power, look at the 230V Velair variants instead. Note: VSD inverter AC units have lower current draw than equivalent BTU fixed-speed units, which means a 115V VSD unit can run on shore power circuits where a comparable fixed-speed unit would trip the breaker.
Reverse-cycle heat pump function. The reverse-cycle design lets the same unit pump heat into the cabin in cool weather and pump heat out of the cabin in warm weather. Switch the operating mode at the cabin control display. Reverse-cycle heating works down to about 40-50 F seawater temperature – below that, heat pump efficiency drops significantly and you need supplemental heating. For boats used through spring shoulder season and into fall, reverse-cycle eliminates the need for a separate heating system.
R32 refrigerant. R32 is a modern refrigerant with significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) than the older R-410A used in many marine AC systems. R32 also has higher cooling capacity per pound of refrigerant than R-410A, which is part of how the Velair i-line achieves its high efficiency. R32 service requires an EPA-certified refrigeration technician (same as R-410A).
Smart Control iOS / Android app. The Velair Smart Control app on iOS or Android pairs with the unit over the boat’s WiFi for remote control of all AC functions: temperature setpoint, mode select (cool, heat, fan only), fan speed, on / off scheduling, and current operating status. Useful when you’re not on the boat – turn the AC on remotely an hour before you arrive at the marina so the cabin is cool when you board. Useful when you’re on the boat but not at the cabin control display – adjust the AC from your bunk or from the cockpit without walking to the panel.
Cabin control display. In addition to the app control, the unit ships with a wired digital cabin control display (with 26.25 ft / 8 m cable) for direct in-cabin control. The display handles the same functions as the app: temperature setpoint, mode select, fan speed, system on/off, status display.
Generation 2 removable electric box. The Generation 2 design (the current version) features a removable electric box that detaches from the AC unit body for compact installs. Useful when the AC unit needs to fit in a tight equipment space where the integrated electric box of older units would force a larger overall envelope. Mount the electric box separately in a more accessible location – the unit body fits in a smaller cutout.
Compact dimensions for the BTU class. 25.6 inches long x 14 inches wide x 13 inches tall (with the electric box installed – smaller without). Weight 61.7 lb. Compact for a 16,000 BTU self-contained marine AC unit, which lets it fit in equipment spaces where larger conventional units won’t go.
Sea water cooling. The unit uses raw sea water pumped through the condenser to remove heat from the refrigerant cycle (the same approach as virtually all marine self-contained AC units). Sea water flow rate at 4.5 gallons per minute (17 liters per minute). The seawater pump is a separate component – usually the boat’s existing seawater pump in retrofit installs, or sold separately as a Velair accessory for new installs.
Air duct connections. The unit’s supply air duct is 2 inch by 6 inch rectangular cross-section. Plan the cabin discharge ducting accordingly. Maximum air flow output is 550 cubic meters per hour (about 325 cfm), distributed through the supply ducting to the cabin discharge vents.
Quiet operation. The VSD compressor’s variable-speed running pattern means the compressor rarely runs at full power – so the typical operating noise is much lower than a fixed-speed unit that’s constantly cycling at full speed. Combined with low fan noise and low vibration thanks to the brushless motor design, the i16VSD is one of the quieter 16,000 BTU self-contained marine AC units in service.
What’s in the box. The i16VSD Compact self-contained AC unit (with the removable electric box), the wired digital cabin control display with 26.25 ft cable, and the install / operations manual. Required separately: 115V AC supply wiring with appropriate fuse, supply ducting, return-air ducting, condensate drain plumbing, seawater inlet plumbing with seacock and strainer, and the seawater pump (if not already on the boat).
