ANOTHER Fridge question

[Jock89]

Hi everyone...One of the ideas I've been toying with for my on-going re-furb is to try & convert the icebox/coolbox that's built in to my Galley. It's quite deep & if it can be coverted to a keel-cooled fridge or freezer I could dispose of the caravan fridge that takes up valuable space in my Saloon.
Anyone done this job & could advise me on what components are needed & degree of difficulty.?
My new engine hasn't gone in yet so there is reasonable access to underneath the Galley & coolbox. Thanks...
<span style="color:blue">If you're not on the Ocean, you're not on Vacation.!

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[ccscott49]

Kits are available to do exactly what you need, you can go either air cooled or water cooled, compressors supplied with self sealing couplings, so no need to "gas up" after instalation, with cold plates, compressors etc.
I think waeco, isotherm do them and a few other folks, maybe try a google? There's a company who specialises in this as well, but can't remember the name of them. If you look in some of the yachting mags, especially PBO, you will see adverts for these units, they are simple to fit. Make sure there is a drain in the coolbox, for defrosting, with a tap on it to stop the cold air draining out, when not in use.

 

[roycharles]

Did exactly that on my boat.
Used Frigoboat evaporator, compressor and keel cooler all from Penguin Engineering who were very helpful.
I had to use a flat plate evaporator due to small size of cool box but would recommend a box type (easier to make those ice cubes).
The biggest problem was deciding where to locate eveything, especially the keel cooler as this of course requires a hole through the hull.
Most important to fit as much insulation as possible for maximum efficiency and also a good fitting insulated lid.
Fitting the evaporator was a little tricky as you have to thread the refridgeration pipes through the box and to the compressor location.
Very pleased with the performance , can't think how I managed without it.
Down side - quite expensive compared with fan cooled unit.

 

[William_H]

A lot depends on the availability and price of the kits. Obviously a keel cooler type will be far more efficient but the aircooled type may prove to be far cheaper and easier to fit. They work really well and I don't think the warm air will be a problem.
A battery driven compressor will be fine for marina use as well as camping out provided you can run the engine for recharge or have a lot of solar. An engine driven compressor (car aircon type) will give enormous cooling power so quite a short engine run willl freeze every thing but this needs engine run even when holed up in a marina. it will probably have to be custom made making it very expensive.
So see what is available at what cost and factor in the cost of getting an engineer to evcuate and gas th esysteem if it is not precharged.
good luck olewill

 

[asj1]

Done this with a standard kit which others have piinted out is readily available. I got mine from Penguin at a "boat show offer price" .
2 points:
1) Insulate as much as possible. Use the modern insulating board found at builders merchants, it is much more efficient than polysterene (but more expensive). Don't buy the thickest as thinner boards are easier to fit and can easily by glued together to make the thickness. I got some offcuts from a building site as you don't really need a 6x4 sheet!
2) secondly I found that the fridge doesn't actually use huge amounts of power and found with 2 domestic 105 ah batteries I could leave it on pretty well 24/7 providing I expected to be doing and hour or so's motoring every day.

Regards

 

[Jock89]

Thanks to all for the replies & to asj1 for the great insulation tip. That's what I'll do, & I'll go through Penguin.

Thanks again...

If you're not on the Ocean, you're not on Vacation.![ QUOTE ]


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[matt1]

Another vote for Penguin. Excellent service, although a bit more expensive. They offered to re-fill my gas for free - I thought it had escaped when I did the installation.

Compare the Frigoboat fridge with other makes and you will see why it costs a bit more - the components look much better quality. The electric consumption has been very low. Again 24/7 with 210a/hr batteries in the summer is fine.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Talk to Penguin marine near Portsmouth

http://www.penguinfrigo.co.uk/catalogue.asp