Fridge compressor location.

[fredrussell]

My boat came with a less-than-satisfactory peltier unit cooled fridge. I have a waeco compressor portable fridge but it’s a 31ft boat and at some point I’d like to get that space back by installing a compressor ‘driven’ cooling plate to the galley fridge.

The best place I can see for the compressor is the cockpit locker which is large, but unventilated. I realise compressor ideally needs to be in well ventilated spot but on a 31ft boat that’s not so easy. Does anyone have their compressor in cockpit locker and if so, how’s that working for you?

 

[Keith-i]

I have a remote compressor for the fridge on our motorboat. It sits in a locker in the wheelhouse but does have a couple of grilles to allow some circulation and venting. It all seems to work fine for us.

 

[Daverw]

Only issue may be it getting too cold to condense properly, but you may not need it if this was the case unless you livaboard

 

[ChromeDome]

Isotherm (and other InbelB fridges) come with installation instructions as seen on pg 3:

Fig. 2 might inspire..

 

[samfieldhouse]

On my 28ft-er the compressor is under the galley sink.
I actually converted a domestic mini fridge (front opening) that sits at the bottom of the hanging locker.
The gas pipe then is routed through the bulkhead to the compressor.

I used the GE80 kit and it’s been a complete epiphany. I spent 8 weeks ‘off-grid’ this summer with all power coming from my 2x 100w solar panels. Compared to my old peltier fridge… well there is no comparison! Hardly any power draw and it sits at about 1degeee.

 

[Graham376]

I relocated ours into a very large cockpit locker, it works better there than in the original small cupboard in the galley.

 

[Leighb]

You can get keel cooler systems which do not need ventilation as the heat is dissipated into the sea/river. A bit more expensive, but more efficient and quieter.
An alternative has the exchange elements in the engine sea water inlet, a bit less efficient but no need to drill holes in the hull.

 

[Neeves]

We added a computer fan that draws cool air from the chain locker, which is pointing toward the wind when at anchor. The air is directed at the compressor, which is located in a recess at the top and back of the fridge, using normal domestic ducting, The fridge has an air gap all round, recommended for the installation, and I can 'feel' the warm air exiting into the galley. I have actually added to this and draw the air, or some of it, into the engine bay. Much depends on how much space you have for the ducting. The extra computer fan is wired into the compressor - fan comes on when the compressor cycles on.

Jonathan

 

[ChromeDome]

I modified my fridge to improve its efficiency, e.g provide more cooling from the same or less power consumption.
And saved a bunch by not buying a new fridge.

The thread is here
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/another-refrigerator-story.587048/#post-8032763

 

[RupertW]

You can get keel cooler systems which do not need ventilation as the heat is dissipated into the sea/river. A bit more expensive, but more efficient and quieter.
An alternative has the exchange elements in the engine sea water inlet, a bit less efficient but no need to drill holes in the hull.

Ours is in an unventilated space (although open a breeze through the bilge I support) under the cooker, but is water cooled - basically replacing the galley sink outlet seacock with a much wider external base designed to cool using the sea water temp outside. Seems to work very well.

 

[fredrussell]

Thanks for everyone’s input. I think cockpit locker will be my first try with it, in conjunction with a 12v computer fan.

 

[Concerto]

My compresssor is in the large cockpit locker with a protective box surrounding it with large vent holes. No problems at all, in fact when I first started it up it turned into a freezer rather than a fridge.

It is also worth fitting an automatic switch so when you are connected to shore power, it changes to this rather than stay on 12V.
Dometic CoolPower EPS 100 - Mains adapter, connects 12/24 V

 

[Graham_Wright]

Frigoboat (penguin) do a water cooled system the connects to the galley sink drain.
Clever, but can't remember the details.

 

[RupertW]

Frigoboat (penguin) do a water cooled system the connects to the galley sink drain.
Clever, but can't remember the details.

I feel I’ve been lakesailored
Compact Water-cooled Refrigeration System - 3751 - 200 L max

 

[Graham_Wright]

I feel I’ve been lakesailored
Compact Water-cooled Refrigeration System - 3751 - 200 L max

I should have mentioned it is a compressor fridge but the condenser is cooled by sea water sourced from the galley sink drain.