Converting a cool box.

[Humber]

Fitting a refrigerator unit. We have a Westerly Merlin,29ft. It has the usual galley configuration shape with the cool box set below the work surface in the corner between the cooker and the sink. Do these cool box refrigerator kits work? Are they difficult to fit?

 

[Martin_J]

I have just replaced an existing cool plate and compressor with one of the new kits. It was rather easier than I thought.

Basically the kit comes with the coolplate part that goes inside the coolbox and has approx 6 foot of coolant pipe, a separate compressor unit and a small thermostat style device.

The plate is installed inside your coolbox with the pipe (yes, it is a single pipe) fed out through a hole you have just made in the side of the coolbox. This pipe needs to be fed to where you have located the compressor unit. The compressor needs reasonable airflow (or volume or air) around it.

The single pipe from the coolplate splits into two pipes at the compressor end. Both parts (compressor and plate) are already pressurised with refrigerant and the connectors just screw together quickly and with hardly any loss.

Power up and you will have a cool plate (probably with frost on it) and a good coolbox.

Refrigerant both 'to' the plate and returning 'from' the plate come through this single flexible pipe. The small higher pressure pipe is contained within it.

 

[MoodySabre]

I fitted a Waeco Coldmachine in the coolbox on my Moody. Brilliant. I ran the power supply through an illuminated circuit breaker so I don't forget it is on. I crank it up when on shore power or motoring and turn it down when sailing.

 

[Pasarell]

Fridge

I fitted a Waeco Coldmachine into a locker below the saloon settee on my Moody as the ice box was far too small. Evaporation plate in one locker and the compressor in the next locker. After lots of insulation ended with a fidge box of 65L. As said above the compressor and evaporation plate are very easy to install and connect. On the lowest setting it runs for about 40 seconds in 5 minutes, virtually silently. Makes ice in a tray on the evaporation plate and stays below 5C in the middle of summer.

 

[saxonpirate]

The guys have about said it all. One thing though that is absolutely critical. Check your insulation. If your box is too large for your plate and the insulation is insufficient it will be virtually running non stop.

Other than that they are good bits of kit, and a cold beer in the summer is....well you know.