Fridge compressor location.

[Porthandbuoy]

I plan to convert Sheolin’s coolbox to a fridge while she’s laid up this winter. I have two possible locations for the compressor.
1) On a bulkhead, not the bottom, of the wet locker between the forecabin and the saloon.
2) In a cockpit locker currently full of fenders and warps.

The wet locker.
Pros: the heat given off will help dry wet gear.
Cons: is the compressor noisy enough to disturb sleepers in the forecabin? Warmer location than cockpit locker so less efficient.

The cockpit locker.
Pros: cooler location and therefore a more efficient compressor.
Cons: Potentially a wetter environment. I’d have to find somewhere else to stow warps and at least two fenders.

Having typed this out I’m coming to the conclusion the wet locker is the best compromise, but are there any other things I should be considering?

 

[Refueler]

My compressor is mounted on a plinth at back of locker under the sinks. The fridge space is outboard of the sinks so directly above.

You can see the lid of the fridge space lifted ... the blue knob behind it - the temp control ... the temp display is the black-white small box far right in the picture. The compressor as I say - is directly below the fridge - reducing the coolant piping etc. to minimum. The locker is still able to accommodate the large 20lt water canister previous owner used ...

 

[Sandy]

You don't say where the fridge will be. Mine is beside the galley sink and the compressor is in the cupboard beneath the sink.

Couple of thoughts:

On forum member almost sunk his boat by leaving pyrotechnics in the cockpit locker, it can get hot;

The amount of heat that my compressor gives off hardly changes the temperature under the sink.

 

[Graham_Wright]

If your fridge has an electronic controller, you need to keep it well away from damp.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

You don't say where the fridge will be. Mine is beside the galley sink and the compressor is in the cupboard beneath the sink.

Couple of thoughts:

On forum member almost sunk his boat by leaving pyrotechnics in the cockpit locker, it can get hot;

The amount of heat that my compressor gives off hardly changes the temperature under the sink.

It's a linear galley with top entry coolbox to the right. Tubing would either run forward behind the cooker and sink to the hanging locker, or right, through two bulkheads to the cockpit locker. No room under coolbox for compressor. I could go under the sink, but then I'd need to find somewhere for the pots and pans. Please excuse the state of the cooker! Pic was taken before I bought the boat and cleaned it.

 

[MontyMariner]

An expensive bit of kit, I woud keep it somewhere well ventilated but away from salty damp air.

 

[Kelpie]

They're not that noisy.
I mounted mine on a bulkhead but cut a hole so that the fan blows the hot air through to a different compartment.
I presume your unit has quick-connect refrigerant lines so there's it makes no difference whether the compressor is close to the fridge or not?

 

[coopec]

The compressor should be located in a well ventilated space (minimum 100 cu ft) as it will produce considerable heat which must be dissipated.

"Because cooling generates heat, good ventilation of the compressor compartment is essential for air cooled systems. If the temperature in the vicinity of the compressor rises above +40°C, ventilation needs to be improved to allow cool air (preferably from the bilge where the air is coolest) to enter at the bottom and the warm air to leave at the top. A few holes the sizes of a large coin are usually sufficient. All air-cooled Isotherm units with holding plates are equipped with a fan which speeds up the air flow;
If you have chosen sea water cooled such as an Isotherm SP model, high temperature inside the boat is immaterial;"
https://www.keoghsmarine.com.au/ARTICLES-TECHNICALINFORMATION-HOW-TO-GUIDES-REFRIGERATION

 

[Refueler]

They're not that noisy.
I mounted mine on a bulkhead but cut a hole so that the fan blows the hot air through to a different compartment.
I presume your unit has quick-connect refrigerant lines so there's it makes no difference whether the compressor is close to the fridge or not?

Mine is quiet - except when cooling down - then you get a faint sound that you literally have to sit still and cant the ear to decide where its coming from.

 

[Rock Dodger]

Mine is quiet - except when cooling down - then you get a faint sound that you literally have to sit still and cant the ear to decide where its coming from.

Mine too. I fitted a compressor under a saloon berth and the sound level is so low it is hardly noticeable even when sleeping on the berth. Much quieter than the steady slap of halyards in some marinas. Mine was fitted with a divider board and two vent holes so that the compressor fan has an inlet and outlet for the air flow. Inside the saloon has also protected it from weather and the worst of a salty atmosphere.

 

[Bodach na mara]

You're limited by the length of the supplied (recharged with refrigerant) tubes. You can't easily extend them. And the place where you fit the compressor unit,with the associated control electronics, should be as dry as possible.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

You’ve convinced me. Inside it is. Thanks.

 

[MontyMariner]

Because cooling generates heat, good ventilation of the compressor compartment is essential for air cooled systems

I mounted a 12v PC fan in parallel to the compressor cooling fan to duct the heat away as the space around the compressor isn't ideal.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I mounted a 12v PC fan in parallel to the compressor cooling fan to duct the heat away as the space around the compressor isn't ideal.

I was thinking along similar lines. It would be a simple matter to duct cool air in from under the sink rather than recirculate air in the hanging locker. I should point out the hanging locker is not sealed, it’s well ventilated so clothing can dry.

 

[lustyd]

Please excuse the state of the cooker! Pic was taken before I bought the boat and cleaned it.View attachment 165122

Ours is in the space under the cooker and yours looks like similar space. Ours is factory fit by Jeanneau and has a wooden door with vents and works fine.

 

[Neeves]

As mentioned repetitively the location for the compressor must be near the proposed site for the fridge (distance determined by the pipe work). You need to remove the warm air produced by the compressor and replenish with fresh air.

To me you are limited in the ideal location for the compressor as you do not seem able to consider a different location for the fridge itself.

Compromises, compromises

Removing warm air simply needs a computer fan and some ducting, replenishing with cold(er) air also needs a computer fan and more ducting. Computer fans are cheap as chips and if you wire them to the existing fan, already part of the compressor, then the computer fans will cycle on and off together. Computer fans use minimal power.

So.... ponder another location for the fridge (I accept this will mean more work - how important is ice in your G&T?)

Or can you duct the fresh air to near the proposed fridge location and remove the warm air.

Jonathan

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Isotherm GE80 kit is suitable for up to 80L. My coolbox is 66L .

GE80 kit comes with 2m of gassed up pipe. Proposed location in hanging locker requires 1.7m (including bends) .

A different location for the fridge? No chance without a major internal refit .

Under the cooker? Inaccessible at the moment but worth considering.

 

[lustyd]

Here's an image of ours under the cooker, sorry about the quality it's the only one I had. You can see there's a curved gap along the bottom edge for air. The sides at the bottom fit into slots in the floor and then there's a normal push button catch to hold the panel in as if it were a cupboard door. The whole panel comes out and the sled is behind it. You can see the fridge to the left in this pic, so very similar to your intended layout. Our thermostat control is neatly installed under the sink in the cupboard which is also left extending outwards from the fridge.
We don't have any temperature issues even in 42 degrees last year in St Malo for a week. Prior to this I had considered adding a fan and grate but it wasn't coming on more often than usual.

 

[William_H]

Just a warning. Much of the heat will be generated by the compressor itself. So get cooling there. Plus of course the radiator condensor. ol'will

 

[MontyMariner]

It would be a simple matter to duct cool air in from under the sink

The 'norm' is to push the warm air out and let the partial vacuum draw the cool air in.
If I have read you right, your thinking of pushing cool air in, which isn't as efficient, as it mixes with the warm air before doing any cooling of the equipment.

You can't see the 2nd fan, but it is at the top left of the picture pushing the warm air up and out.