Advice on Fridges

[DavidBolger]

Hi,

I have a 1989 Sadler 34. It has a coolbox with the top opening lid and there is a coolmatic unit in the coolbox which works fine but because it is a top loading unit, it can be difficult to store delicate items and to see what is in the fridge. Beside that (closer to the companionway) is an electrolux flush mounted fridge, model number RB2195. This is broken and last year I took it out and got a quote for repair which was prohibative. It seems it is better value to replace the unit completely and I am looking for advice on the replacement. I have looked on the Waeco website and their coolmatic RPD-65 seems to have the closest dimensions for the hole left from the existing units. Are there any other manufacturer which people could recommend (and their websites)? Do electrolux still make mobile fridges? Does anyone have any other recommendations? Any help and advice is welcome.

regards


David

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[tr7v8]

Electrolux sold their portable and low voltage stuff some time ago. After looking I ended up with a Isotherm which I ordered fro Privates Cove in Chatham and got a good price. Do a search for Isotherm and their web address will come up.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[byron]

<font color=blue>Privates Cove? Is that a Freudian Slip Jim?

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I bought a Waeco WD-40 at the LBS. I had looked at fridges over a year and this one suit best - apparently lowest current drain during use, top loading so all the nice cold air does not spill out when you open the door, maximum room in box as compressor is a totally seperate unit and it can be built in under the work top.

I have not fitted it yet, still in the house, but now it is getting warmer leaving consumables in the cockpit is no longer viable I am going to have to fit it.

On paper it seemed the best for me. I thought gas fridges had now been banned on boats under the boat safety scheme, personally I would rather have the wind gen powering the fridge than gas.

On this subject, should I expect a lot of condensation around the compressor, should I fit a drip tray under it? Does the compressor have to be totally open, does it get hot?

Thank you in advance.....

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ukstaffords.com>http://www.ukstaffords.com</A>

 

[timevans2000]

I have an Elecrolux gas fridge. It seems more than adequate for our temperate climate, although I am not sure how it would fair in the Med. it can freeze the full contents of the fridge in the middle of the summer unless you keep an eye on the thing and turn it down to minimum cooling ( it has no thermostat).

I am not sure if it is any more dangerous than cooking with gas. The flame is smaller than the flame you would get with the average candel and consequently the gas consumption is very low. It has a flame failure device also.
I for one really like the fridge for its simplicity ( no moving parts) and reliability.

The last fridge on my previous boat was 15 years old! it hadnt blown the boat up and it had used no power but the milk, butter and beer were all cool!!!

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[Boathook]

I thought that gas fridges for boats could still be obtained but to comply with legislation any new ones fitted had to be balanced flue i.e. takes fresh air from outside and puts the fumes outside like most warm air heaters. If you repair an item it can carry on as normal, I am led to believe.
We have an electolux gas caravan fridge on our Cat and it does sterling work though any thing over a F6 I normally turn it off. As and when it packs up I will repair it rather than drill more holes in the hull and deck that allows in water !!

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[Gordonmc]

How do you vent the frig? Its a serious question... I bought a similar one but only use it on 12v. I couldn't work out how to exhaust the gas out.

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[vyv_cox]

Waeco or Isotherm seem to be reasonable choices. You may find that by making small modifications to the locker door beneath the fridge you can fit a size bigger, perhaps even an 85 litre from some manufacturers. The problem then is that the condenser in an air cooled fridge has a requirement for quite a lot of space around it, and the flow of air through this area of a Sadler 34 is not a lot, so the fridge struggles to keep cool.

My answer is to use the box from a Waeco or Isotherm, or possibly someone else, and mount a water cooled Danfoss compressor in the engine compartment. You need a small water circulating pump, but that's no problem as they are cheap and reliable. You can then maximise the size of the box as it needs no surrounding air space.

In my case I have insider knowledge, as my son is in this business. He is designing me a system that will also put a holding plate in the cool box, switchable either with the fridge or off. The Danfoss is big enough to drive the two if needed. I would have done this during the past winter but we got sidetracked by radar. See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.palmayachts.com>http://www.palmayachts.com</A> Alternatively you could install an engine-driven compressor but I want to take advantage of free European marina electricity.

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[tr7v8]

Just some smart arse to spot it!

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[tr7v8]

The latest Electrolux for boats that is gas does indeed have a balanced flue but seem to remember that it's put the price up big time!
As for heat output mine gets quite warm and as I culdn't get a replacement that fitted the 'ole I ended up moving over to what was a wardrobe, so putting a shelf on it is a roundtoit job. Mine is an Isotherm RD 40 and has a small 4inchish pancake fan blowing over the condensor, this is actually quite noisy and keeps me wake at night. Any shelf I build will need a grill on the back.
As for making the original hole bigger I can't it's tight in the bilge.


<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[timevans2000]

I decided not to put a flue on mine. I have a 6 inch diameter dorade vent above the fridge and two other similar sized dorades elsewhere. I have never had a problem with fumes because of this.

My last boat had the standard Electrolux fridge flue kit installed into the cockpit this worked Ok.

Bear in mind that you are not exhausting butane/propane out ( as long as there are no leaks) you are exhausting the products of combustion. These are hot and lighter than air so a high level vent is essential. Butane and propane are heavier that air and sink.

incidentally, with Butane, you need between 1.5% and 9% butane/air mix before you have a flammable mix.

Carbon dioxide is also flammable but you need 12.5% to 74.2% before it becomes flammable.

You can see that the far greater risk is the gas leak. Obviously poor ventilation will place you in a CO rich environment which is not too good for your health!



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[Guest]

Hi the Dave

I have a eutectic system working of a compressor from the engine and I have spent enough on it to buy several units and I am now only a hairs width from ripping out and putting in a small of the shelf mains voltage bar frig about 120litre as I have an inverter already installed, - any suggestions???

Mine is also top loading

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[ean_p]

does that mean a CO2 extinguisher is for putting out CO2 induced fires then????

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[timevans2000]

good point! It should have read carbon monoxide!!! oops

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