Upgrading fridge/freezer

[mrangry]

I have 1992 Beneteau Oceanis 440 with a fridge and freezer compartment. There is a hole between the two and the fridge I think is cooled through this 40mm hole from the freezer. A compressor is driven by the engine but the system doesn't work and I am looking to replace it with a modern electrically powered system. The issue I am having is that combined the compartments are quite large (80cm x 65cm x 65cm) and looking at the modern kits for sale they all seem too small. I am not too fussed about having the freezer and happy just to use both areas as a fridge, unless that is it is simple enough to have both?

I have very little knowledge in this department and would appreciate advice on how best to proceed.

 

[mrangry]

I have seen on forums that a company called Nova Kool make fridge kits for larger compartments but cant see any uk suppliers. Has anyone used this company or know any others that supply kits capable of cooling up to 300 ltrs

 

[Neeves]

Pleased don't be angry but I cannot really answer your questions - but thought I'd refresh your posts as there is plenty of knowledge on the forum on refrigeration.

We recently replaced our ageing fridge, with a little freezer compartment, with a 'off the shelf' Dometic. it fitted exactly into the space vacated by the old fridge. The difference is/was that the new fridge has an external rebate, space in the top of the fridge for the compressor etc whereas the old fridge had a standalone compressor. The important characteristic was that the fridge size seemed 'standard'. So search the Dometic range there might be something that fits your space. Dometic is now owned by Waeco, or vice versa. Look at caravan and 4x4 fridges - they are the same as yacht fridges (but may be cheaper).

We also have a stand alone deep freeze which was custom made to fit under the galley sole and is 'powered' by its own compressor. I cannot recall who made the compressor but its a standard unit. I can look next time I am on the boat, but that will not be till Monday (or Tuesday).

Both compressors are simple electric units 'air' cooled. We introduced computer fans and ducting to ensure both the fridge and freezer have as cool and fresh air as possible (ducted from the anchor/chain locker - relatively easy on a catamaran).

We use the deep freeze as long term cold storage and simply take out what we need for the next few days, transfer to the little freezer compartment of the fridge freezer - so we are not opening the freezer frequently. The dedicated freezer has 100mm of insulation all round. It is a bit inconvenient to use as we need to kneel down to access - but the inconvenience has its benefits (it stays cold!). When on an annual cruise (not this year) we will trawl heading south from Sydney and catch tuna and then catch crayfish when we get to SW Tasmania - the deep freeze then comes into its own. This year the annual cruise became impossible and the absence of crayfish a severe disappointment. But China in it current stoush with Oz banned our crays so prices here collapsed - serendipity at its best - at least for the local consumer.

Good luck, stay safe, take care

Jonathan

 

[Corbert-Beacon]

I am changing if my fridge to a keel cooled version, so bought a new compressor, through hull fitting and evaporator for my 182 litre fridge on my 1997 Beneteau Oceanis 381, from Home - Penguin Refrigeration. I see they do compressors for fridges up to 380 litres. Your measurements indicate your fridge is 312 litres. My fridge has a step at the bottom, wondering if yours was the same so the actual volume is less than the maximum internal dimensions would indicate. My issue is access, I wanted to beef up the insulation but short of some destructive disassembly can’t find a way into the space around the built in fridge. I am removing the dangerous spring that is supposed to hold the top loading fridge lid up but is a medieval torture device for fingers as it collapses the lid randomly when open, and replacing it with gas struts.

 

[pessimist]

Sorry if this is thread drift. We too are considering keel cooling. Anyone have any idea how far the compressor can be from the fridge itself?

 

[Corbert-Beacon]

Penguin’s guide Fitting a Frigomatic Keel Cooled Fridge System - Penguin Refrigeration states the compressor unit must be mounted within 1.5m of the keel cooler – this dimension cannot be extended. The compressor comes with approx 2.8m evaporator hose. They sell extensions in 1m steps from 1 - 8m so I guess using the longest extension the answer to your question is 10.8m. Just how big is your boat?! I guess we’ll be asked to move if this is the wrong thread. Best wishes, John.

 

[mrangry]

I am changing if my fridge to a keel cooled version, so bought a new compressor, through hull fitting and evaporator for my 182 litre fridge on my 1997 Beneteau Oceanis 381, from Home - Penguin Refrigeration. I see they do compressors for fridges up to 380 litres. Your measurements indicate your fridge is 312 litres. My fridge has a step at the bottom, wondering if yours was the same so the actual volume is less than the maximum internal dimensions would indicate. My issue is access, I wanted to beef up the insulation but short of some destructive disassembly can’t find a way into the space around the built in fridge. I am removing the dangerous spring that is supposed to hold the top loading fridge lid up but is a medieval torture device for fingers as it collapses the lid randomly when open, and replacing it with gas struts.

Yes mine like yours has a step at the bottom so will be less volume. Looking at it access is an issue and removal of the cooker may allow an access panel to be cut but doesn't look easy.

 

[Corbert-Beacon]

For the new pipework and electrics I’m simply going to use the old pipes and wires for mousing the new ones in. I will feed them through flexible conduit as I am planning to inject closed cell polyurethane foam in the space between the fridge cabinet and the box. Although I’m a bit hesitant about drilling the necessary holes to do this, and wonder if readers think it’s worth doing this for Med cruising. There is about 15-20mm insulation on the box from new.

 

[dankilb]

I was incredibly impressed with the Technautics 'CoolBlue' system that Mads installed a couple of weeks back on Sail Life:

Shame it costs just shy of $3000, though, from what I could find! But the idea of lower power consumption and better performance even in high ambient temperatures is certainly attractive. I know nothing of these systems or how long they've been around - wonder if there's any chance of cheaper options coming any time soon?

 

[Corbert-Beacon]

I am located in the Channel Islands (near the UK) and just bought the attached spec for GBP1,018 delivered (ex VAT), about USD1,392. They threw in a thermostat FOC.

 

[mrangry]

I have had a quote from Penguin refrigeration and to keep the separate fridge and freezer compartments it would be around £2500. To just use both compartments as a fridge would be £1300....so both as a fridge it is I think. I noticed in the quotes that they used keel coolers and just wondering what peoples views are regarding keel coolers v air cooled. The air cooled is quite a bit cheaper and doesnt require another hole in the hull.

 

[dankilb]

I have had a quote from Penguin refrigeration and to keep the separate fridge and freezer compartments it would be around £2500. To just use both compartments as a fridge would be £1300....so both as a fridge it is I think. I noticed in the quotes that they used keel coolers and just wondering what peoples views are regarding keel coolers v air cooled. The air cooled is quite a bit cheaper and doesnt require another hole in the hull.

If you could stretch towards the higher price, I'd seriously consider the Technautics: CoolBlue Marine Refrigerator System | Cruise RO Water & Power

It's from the two US engineers behind CruiseRO watermakers. It sounds like in your application it could retain the freezer and fridge (off a single plate/compressor). I should say, my experience begins and ends at watching a YouTube video on it! But it just looks such an excellent product with clear performance/power consumption benefits over both keel and air-cooled 'conventional' setups. I guess it's always tricky dealing with an overseas supplier, but it comes as a complete kit.

 

[Corbert-Beacon]

Hello Mr Angry (hehe)
I’m fitting the spec I listed above including a keel cooler. From what I’ve read it’s advised for warmer destinations, my intention being cruising in the Med. If you’re not going somewhere hot anytime soon or don’t fancy drilling a hole in your boat then a fan would be fine. You might also want to re-calculate your power requirements if you intend putting a more power hungry unit in and intend to unplug the shore power.
Good luck, John.

 

[RupertW]

We have been very happy keeping the engine run compressor and adding in a second 12v plate. The engine one is far more powerful and the 7cm thick plate is designed to keep the fridge cold for many hours allowing for just running the engine for an hour twice a day which worked well for us for ten years except for a couple of times it broke down.
The keel cooled 12v thin plate fits in easily and keeps a much more consistent temperature, although it takes far longer to cool down a new warm fridge load of food and drinks, and this is where the engine comes in as we can set straight off and run the engine for an hour.

So it may be overkill but it provides two separate systems and if either break for a month then meh.