Small compressor boat fridges

[C08]

My waeco cf25 which has given good service for 18 years has died. Now looking at an alpicool 25l. They

look a good price, half what unpaid for a. Any views on good or not so?

 

[V1701]

Yeah I had a smaller one, 15L I think, great value for money. Very effective, could be better insulated but that applies to any small compressor coolbox and if it was it would be a bigger compressor coolbox...

 

[ridgy]

I have the Alpicool 35, only bought this year so can't comment on longevity but working very well and frugal.
One thing I would say is that the built in volt meter under reads on 12v. Might be a fault but couldn't be bothered to send it back. Gave me a shock when I saw 10.8V when in reality it was 12.6V
I would be delighted if I got 18 years out of it.

 

[Tranona]

Just bought one. Not used much but so far does what it says.

 

[Stemar]

That's good to know. I finally got our gas fridge connected and fired up to find it isn't getting cold, so I'm thinking about a compressor fridge, and an Alpicool got my attention with its price.

 

[ridgy]

One more thing is that the instructions say that it should be kept fairly level, within 5 degrees or something though I've left mine running constantly during long beats with no issues.

 

[harvey38]

They certainly get a lot of positive reviews on Amazon, over a thousand plus. I'm usually very sceptical of such reviews but so many with follow up comments are difficult to ignore.

 

[penfold]

One more thing is that the instructions say that it should be kept fairly level, within 5 degrees or something though I've left mine running constantly during long beats with no issues.

Given the compressors are the same or similar to those fitted to installed fridges there can't be much of a practical problem, otherwise every yacht fitted with one would lose their cooling after a good beat.

 

[C08]

One more thing is that the instructions say that it should be kept fairly level, within 5 degrees or something though I've left mine running constantly during long beats with no issues.

With a small cat I would have more to worry about than the fridge if heeling more than 5 degrees.

 

[Stemar]

Do you think their fridge is working?

 

[ChromeDome]

As mentioned in a previous thread I'm very happy with a Mobicool [Dometic brand].

Very good price/value and nice features.

 

[geem]

One more thing is that the instructions say that it should be kept fairly level, within 5 degrees or something though I've left mine running constantly during long beats with no issues.

My portable compressor fridge is used to keep fruit and veg cool. It lives in the bow on the floor in the front cabin. It's done two Atlantic crossings and never stopped working. It's internals are the same as my main built in fridge/freezer. That never stops working either, regardless of how far we heel

 

[C08]

Having watched a couple of video clips on repairing these fridge I am inspired to check out the thermistor. It seems by shorting out the yellow and white thermistor wires the compressor should run if the comp is ok. A new thermistor costs abut £1 and easily fitted if it is that. Apparently a 0-10K thermistor may be what I need. Anyway I will attempt to do my bit for the enviromnment and my pocket. It is always rewarding to avoid unwanted financial hits on the boat fund as there are always unavoidable ones each year.