New Cooler in cool box.

Vara

Vara

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Fed up with my Peltier cooling element, just not man enough for the job.

So will fit a compressor unit.

Anybody done this? Any hints tips or guidance on makes models etc.

Cool box is approx 75l capacity with drain to bilge.
 
Not done it myself on a boat, but having worked on them in a factory I found one of the hardest things was nulling the compressor vibration. Installed one above an office once and the vibration set off a hum in the office, it was back to the drawing office for the designers after that. If possible, maybe install temporarily at location to check effects before making it permanent
Unless marine kit doesn't vibrate of course
 
Our main one is a Frigoboat an the i a Waeco. Both have Danfoss compressors. We used Our local fridge specialist to regass (Paul of haven refrigeration) also used successfully by several other forumites.
 
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I used an Isotherm kit, also with a Danfoss compressor. Straightforward job. Vara, if you wanted to look at my boat and see what's involved (different boat I know, same principles though) she's at Faversham.
With regards to vibration mentioned earlier, I found it worth paying out for the Danfoss mounting bracket which has rubber bits on it that soak up any vibes.
 
The Webasto Isotherm Sea water cooled - SP is a nice complete and easy to DIY complete kit (posibly the same as Cantata has), if you price one up I could probably beat it for you. Like most kits, no worries with gassing etc as it comes with pre gassing and quick connect sealed couplers.
I could email you an install manual so you can see what's involved if you like.
 
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I have done it twice, two points worth mentioning:

Make sure the box is very well insulated get as much insulation around it top, bottom and sides as you can and close the drain if you have one.

If you are using an air cooled compressor make sure it is in a well ventilated space, even use a small computer fan to assist air flow.
 
On two different boats I've fitted Frigoboat keel cooled units from Penguin Refrigeration. Ian Gorringe is your man to talk to, he'll work out what you need to keep those beers frosty cold.

The keel cooled option is well worth it. There is a considerable saving in electrickery compared to an air cooled unit, which can struggle even on an English summer's day. Installation is pretty simple, the only tricky bit being feeding the pipework through the boat. Incidentally, the Frigoboat system has pre-charged pipework and self sealing fittings, so you don't need to top up with refrigerant.

Another useful extra is the ECOnomy control. Whilst it is mainly used with eutectic plates, it works well with evaporators too. When there's lots of volts available, this gadget allows the compressor to work at full speed and uses the thermostat attached to the plate to control the temperature. When the volts drop ie: running on semi discharged batteries the ECOnomy control makes the compressor run at a slower speed and a separate probe to sense the ambient temperature of the cool box. It allows the box temperature to rise to 10 degrees C.
 
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We are planning to fit a fridge in a purpose built locker conversion this winter. I went to SIBS yesterday to talk to Penguin about their kit and the chap on the stand was extremely helpful and informative, as were most of the reps on stands we visited unlike some other forumites experiences as reported elsewhere.

We can only find room for a small box about 40 L and I was persuaded that no way did I need a keel cooled unit in the UK for a box that size, so that is a big saving, a friend in the club had been suggesting it was essential.

One thing he said relevant to the OP was that he did not advise having a drain into the bilge. 2 reasons, first anything that drains out is likely to make the bile pong, and second it is a loss of cooling so the compressor has to work harder.
 
Many built-in cool boxes / fridges seem to have a drain-hole. We blocked ours for precisely those reasons.
And the (Isotherm) kit I fitted did not include a keel-cooler, and copes perfectly well in our climate. Nor did I add a cooling fan for the compressor, it sits in an unused void beneath one saloon seat, always cool in there as one side is bare hull.
 
When I helped fit an Isotherm unit (with holding plate) a few years back we made sure the compressor was down low, next to the hull and well vented (all as manufacturers recommendations). We also insulated the box and closed any holes round the box we could find. Seems to work well without draining the service battery unduly.
 
I have been looking at the various options over the last week or two and at SIBS. It seems that there are 3 "Brands" Waeco, Penguin and Webasto. However they all appear to use virtually the same components, Danfoss compressors with maybe slightly different configurations, various evaporator plates and thermostats. The prices do seem somewhat more varied.

Does anyone have any views as to which Brand is better or is just a question of buying the cheapest that will do the job?
 
Having a drain is very useful for washing the cool box out. Stop the cold falling out by bending the drain hose into a S trap. or have a bung. Simples.
 
Fridges will get a build up of condensate. If you want your food learning to swim...

2+ years as a liveaboard never had a problem with bilge pong.
 
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