Coverting an icebox to powered refrigeration
- Thread starter Tlewis
- Start date
I've done a couple of conversions, and agree totally that insulation is The Key. The Nova Kool unit I put in the Ontario 32 runs well (small freezer and about 4 cu ft fridge) on a Group 27 battery and 90W solar panel. The one I put in the Catalina 36 took twice the energy, since the icebox was not well insulated.
I'm a keen fan of the Nova Kool units (http://www.novakool.com/products/conversion_units.htm). They use the Danfoss BD-35 compressor that can be adjusted to draw only 2.5 Amps (with a well-insulated box, that's maybe 40% duty-cycle, which is about 25 A-H per day)
druid
I'm a keen fan of the Nova Kool units (http://www.novakool.com/products/conversion_units.htm). They use the Danfoss BD-35 compressor that can be adjusted to draw only 2.5 Amps (with a well-insulated box, that's maybe 40% duty-cycle, which is about 25 A-H per day)
druid
Hi all,
I also just purchased a 36-2 (1985). NYSail, would you mind emailing me also what info you have on the conversion?
Thanks in advance!!
Mike
I also just purchased a 36-2 (1985). NYSail, would you mind emailing me also what info you have on the conversion?
Thanks in advance!!
Mike
I ordered the cu100 condenser motor. I am waiting on the evaporator until I get to the boat later this week. Not sure what size I want until I can measure.
Better late than never. I had my adler barbour unit in my garage for months. 2 hurrycanes and 1 tropical storm later, I now have my refrigeration installed and cold. I used NYSail's photos and they worked like a charm. AB condensor arrived inop so had to get a replacement. (whole different story). The next one worked good. When its hot (no A/C in boat) I have it turned up full. The beer, wine, soda stayed cold. Don't know about food yet. 
. Aggie price, let us know how your install went.
. Aggie price, let us know how your install went.
Well... we got a little sidetracked on a restoration project. We do not know yet if we will install a fridge in our new boat. We are just learning the ins-and-outs of it. I am glad yours is going well.
I put in an Isotherm 3701 asu air cooled cold plate system last year. Very efficient and works well. As others said, insulation is key, as is charging and battery storage. We have 160 watts of solar and house bank is 2 x 6 v golf cart batts. More than sufficient for us when cruising. Andrew, if you want to check out the installation, come on over to Cayuga Lake some weekend. Scott
Maybe a huge leaky box in the tropics with and old compressor setup, but i use less than 10Ah/day keeping my box at <40F.
My Isotherm ISEC setup.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/new-fridge-efficiency.185869/
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+1 on the Isotherm units
In my previous boat I installed an Isotherm unit. It did cost more than the AB units but it used less power. My current boat came with refrigeration from the Benteau factory and it's no where near as good both in terms of energy use and temperature maintenance (insulation is about equal in both boats). If the current refrigeration ever breaks I will be installing an Isotherm unit. Can't say enough good things about Isotherm.
In my previous boat I installed an Isotherm unit. It did cost more than the AB units but it used less power. My current boat came with refrigeration from the Benteau factory and it's no where near as good both in terms of energy use and temperature maintenance (insulation is about equal in both boats). If the current refrigeration ever breaks I will be installing an Isotherm unit. Can't say enough good things about Isotherm.
Would an icebox be worth adding if it was not on all week? Does everyone leave them on? I feel bad wasting energy just to keep drinks cold. I could see bringing cold drinks and food and having the fridge to keep them cold, but then we are carrying a cooler to the fridge. I like the idea of not using ice and having melting ice to contend with in terms of soggy food.
How long does the icebox require to chill down?
We only spend 1 night per week on the boat. We might spend 2-3 nights once per season. I wonder whether it is really worth it.
How long does the icebox require to chill down?
We only spend 1 night per week on the boat. We might spend 2-3 nights once per season. I wonder whether it is really worth it.
If you have solar panels, it's not a waste of energy. Can't answer you on whether it's worth it, tho. For us, yes, but we do some cruising for a couple of weeks at a time in other places besides home waters.