Boat fridge

Jamie Dundee

Jamie Dundee

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Thinking about changing the fridge in my Antares 760 as the current one runs nicely but doesn’t actually get cold :mad: I was settled on a Dometic CRX50 which should fit well but have come across theWebasto Marine Cruise Elegance CR49 which is around £80ish cheaper and the same dimensions. Anyone any experience of these? I obviously recognise Webasto from heaters, didn’t know they make fridges.
 
I fitted a Waeco CRX50 fridge to my Antares 760 nearly 4 years ago and I recommend it. It has a removable freezer compartment, which I do not use which results on a greater fridge volume. It is exactly the same width as the original Frigomatic but I did need to increase the height of the aperture (by about 20mm I think it was) then it goes straight in.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Its surprising who makes what. husqvarna make sewing machines, fridges , motor-x bikes...
i believe Dometic is also waeco, bay star seastar and teleflex, selling heaters, fridges, air con, doors and windows and the list goes on..
 
lw395 said:
Been wondering about a £90 table top freezer from Curry's or whoever, plus a 12V inverter.
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I have been using a fridge/freezer which I bought from Argos for about £70, for the last 7 years. When we are on the boat, it runs 24/7 via an inverter; consumption is about 40 watt, it keeps everything cold and the freezer makes plenty of ice cubes.; it works and looks like new.
 
I'm going to put a plug in for the CDF 35 to use as a freezer , we been thinking of buying one for some time ,
Ending up buy one in Feb ,
We been running it every since at -15 it keep everything frozen here in the Med including inc cream , uses 3.5/4 A when running , we did insulate it a bit more which stopped it running for so long .
If anyone looking for a freezer you won't go far wrong with one of these , now wish we brought one some years back.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Much as I’d like to fit a cheapo domestic fridge I don’t think it would survive the banging around in a small mobo, you have to leave them to settle for a couple of hours after being transported so not really practical. Don’t really fancy an inverter either. I’m hoping that having to raise the opening by 20mm wont cause a problem, the vhf was originally fitted above the fridge, I’ve fitted my new one in the same place (see photo). Not much room to play with. I like the idea of being able to remove the icebox for more fridge space so will probably go with the Dometic. Any ideas as to the current draw? I’ve got a 170ah domestic battery fed by alternator and 100w solar which gives around 6a on a sunny day, 3-4a when overcast. The Webasto seems to draw around 28a/24hours which should be doable. A725E32C-854E-4D64-BC97-188CFC25F86A.jpeg
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
I have been using a fridge/freezer which I bought from Argos for about £70, for the last 7 years. When we are on the boat, it runs 24/7 via an inverter; consumption is about 40 watt, it keeps everything cold and the freezer makes plenty of ice cubes.; it works and looks like new.
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Yes, there seems to be a big price difference between normal domestic equipment and 'specific' 12 volt stuff ( volume production costs or what?) don't know what the efficiency losses are these days from inverters but for a small fridge possibly not too great?
 
I recently fitted a CRX80 and I'm well impressed with it. Ice cubes in a few house, completely silent compressor, and not much amps used.
 
Jamie Dundee said:
Thinking about changing the fridge in my Antares 760 as the current one runs nicely but doesn’t actually get cold :mad: I was settled on a Dometic CRX50 which should fit well but have come across theWebasto Marine Cruise Elegance CR49 which is around £80ish cheaper and the same dimensions. Anyone any experience of these? I obviously recognise Webasto from heaters, didn’t know they make fridges.
Click to expand...
No cold output? If the condenser is running and the fan unit, it's just lost its gas. A regassing on board will cost about £100+. Well worth it.

Otherwise Waeco is fine - and it's a self fit, with care.

PWG
 
peter gibbs said:
No cold output? If the condenser is running and the fan unit, it's just lost its gas. A regassing on board will cost about £100+. Well worth it.

Otherwise Waeco is fine - and it's a self fit, with care.

PWG
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I’ve heard regassing can be a bit hit and miss, and where I live will probably be impossible. I might make some enquires though as it would be a much cheaper option.
 
Jamie Dundee said:
I’ve heard regassing can be a bit hit and miss, and where I live will probably be impossible. I might make some enquires though as it would be a much cheaper option.
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Regas only works well if you find the leak first which most don’t, also you only have to let a normal fridge stand for a while when new to let oil settle back to the compressor just incase it’s been on its side or upside down in transit. Also the cheap domestic will have similar system to a normal boat system apart from being mains not 12v, maybe actually a bit better as no quick connect fittings used to leak later
 
Plum said:
I fitted a Waeco CRX50 fridge to my Antares 760 nearly 4 years ago and I recommend it. It has a removable freezer compartment, which I do not use which results on a greater fridge volume. It is exactly the same width as the original Frigomatic but I did need to increase the height of the aperture (by about 20mm I think it was) then it goes straight in.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
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How was your fridge secured inside the bulkhead? The only thing I can see is a wooden bar with three screws on the inside at the top of the fridge. As you know, access is ‘limited’ and the space is full of nmea/Ethernet cables and network expansion ports ?
 
Jamie Dundee said:
I’ve heard regassing can be a bit hit and miss, and where I live will probably be impossible. I might make some enquires though as it would be a much cheaper option.
Click to expand...
The issue is, where has the gas gone? There WILL be a leak somewhere and your £100 worth of gassing will soon dissipate!
 
Beneteau381 said:
The issue is, where has the gas gone? There WILL be a leak somewhere and your £100 worth of gassing will soon dissipate!
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Bought a new fridge, Dometic CRE, around £100 less than the CRX. I’ll sell the old fridge as ‘requires regas’....

I’d guess that the fridge has stood unused for long periods, now 19 years old. Which doesn’t do domestic fridges or car aircon units any good. It may hold gas if refilled and used regularly, but that won’t be my problem ;)
 
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