R27 OB 2021 Spec Sheet (Factory Question)

[Rwmwright]

I am a prospective buyer and have been watching the RangerTugs website for a while. I recently noticed that the 2021 R27 OB no longer includes a generator in the Luxury Edition base price and that the specs now refer to the Air Conditioner as being "Inverter Powered". My question relates to how that works.
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My understanding is that the OB alternator is sized at about 2,000 watts and I suspect that is insufficient to power the air conditioner (through the inverter) while underway. So, is the $15k generator still required to be able to run the air conditioner while underway? Also, while on AC power at a dock, will the air conditioner run directly from dockside AC power or will it somehow be powered by the inverter?
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I am not at all clear when and how the boat's air conditioner can be "inverter powered" unless the alternator, battery charger and inverter have all be significantly upsized and would appreciate some further understanding.
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RWmWright

 

[ixlr8]

The new AC units have a soft start feature so now the inverter can start, and run, the AC unit. BUT I think you need to check the alternator output on the outboard. I believe on my 27OB the generator is only rated at 60 amp output, that is only 720 watts. I don't know how much power it takes to run the AC unit and that is something you need to verify.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Hello,

We have designed the boats to now run the AC off of the inverter. As the other mentioned in this thread, you still have to power manage but the R27 will work better than the R23 because the alternator output is better. The unit draws around 80 amps so you will be minus amperage of around 20 amps underway. We are also looking at switching to Lithium Ion on these setups which will allow for even more run time. Currently, we can get about four hours underway and expect that to double with the battery change. To me, I prefer a portable generator at anchor if I needed AC over having the permanently installed one.

Stay tuned as we develop these a bit further!

Thanks again,

 

[Mothertugger]

Andrew,

The batteries on my 2018 R27 look like they may need to be replaced soon as the engine battery did not hold a charge while on mooring at Catalina for A couple of days last month. I would like to go ahead and upgrade to lithium. Is there a brand/ size you would recommend from the factory or someone I could talk to in San Diego to make the conversion?

Thanks

Bill

 

[Andrew Custis]

Hello Bill,

Right now, Lithium is still in the testing phase at Ranger Tugs and have not developed a setup for the R27. What I do know is you would need some sort of charge controller to control the amount of charge provided from the engine while running. I would use a similar size battery to what we use which is a Group 31. One of our owners is in the process of changing his out and he is using a company called Battleborn Lithium made in the USA with a 10 year warranty. I would suggest a call to them to see how you could make them work.

Good luck!