Gas fridges

[Maurice55]

I am looking into fridges for our long-terme cruising boat and,because of the usual electricity shortage, a gas fridge seems very atractive.
Now, because of shortage of space, I cannot fit a standard-already-made-fridge and I was hoping to find a unit I could install in my own odd-shaped box.
I have been in touch with Electrolux and could obtain a unit from them but that seems to be the complete back of a fridge which is not really suitable as in my boat the inside part of the unit will be about 300mm distant from the outside part.
Has any body got any idea/suggestion/advice on how to source what I need?
Any thind most welcome and appreciated.......Maurice.

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[Bodach na mara]

Gas fridges are not really suitable in boats for two reasons: 1. they operate using a small gas flame and installation may be difficult to achieve in conformity withn the gas installation regs and
2. they are "absorption cycle" refrigerators which do not like movement! Normal advice is to leave them to "rest" for 8 hours to let the vapour and liquid phases settle out if they have been moved.

Mind you, the same advice applies to compressor fridges normally but I installed a system two years ago made up from a Waeco compressor unit and evaporator plate as advertised by many chandlers. (I got mine over the counter in Glasgow) It has worked well, is left on all day while we are cruising but it does consume the amps. I estimate an average 3 amps consumption. My next consideration will be a wind genny, but for now I just burn a bit of diesel every day and let the smart charge controller boost the batteries.

<hr width=100% size=1>Ken Johnson

 

[vyv_cox]

Depending upon your cruising pattern, a very successful setup is an engine driven compressor and a holding plate. Needs the engine on for about an hour per day. Make your box to fit the space and make sure it is well insulated. A way that I know works well is to have Tek-tanks make up the box, sealed and hygienic. They can do the lid and other fittings. Alternatively, Isotherm (I think) sell insulated plastic sheets that can be made up DIY by glueing it together.

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[Maurice55]

Thanks for your replies.
It's a shame though, if they can make gas fridges work in a motor-caravan, surely there must be a way to make one work in a boat. I'll keep searching.
Thanks again...M.

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[philip_stevens]

The main problem, as you obviously realise, is that a boat has a deep hull that can act as a sump for escaped or spilled gas (heavier than air methane products, Butane and Propane), whereas in a caravan any escaped/spilled gas just goes out the open door.

But there must be a fridge on the market that runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as I saw a brand new boat American built boat being unloaded from a ship in Piraeus. I had a look on board, and found that the gas bottle was a built-in jobbie, that was recharged (in the USA) with CNG - which is lighter than air.

I even read an article in a US sailing magazine on how to make your own CNG recharging unit. There was matey out in his garden with a hose from the house to an electrically driven compressor recharging his CNG bottle. Can you imagine HSE in this country.

Perhaps a USA reader can verify whether a CNG fridge is available over there. I cannot see one in the WestMarine catalogue.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Maurice55]

The gas leak problem is not so important to me because if I could find a DIY kit, I could have the "gassy" bit of the contraption in a locker which is above water line and only open to the outside (no communication with any part of the inside of the boat.)
As far as I understand a fridge cooling system is made of roughly two parts: the cold bit inside and the hot bit outside with two bits of tube linking the two to form a loop, OK? and I can't see why those two bits of pipe should have a specific shape or length(within reason) so couldn't Icannibalise a fridge, modify those pipes a bit and then have it refilled like the old fridge I used to have?
I gess I'm going to have to talk to a fridge repair man.
Thanks for the reply anyway....M.

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