So you cut a big hole on the box to get the coils inside? It’s a closed system that you can’t take apart easily.
In my case the compressor will likely end up 2 feet from the ice box.
So the tubing for the coils would be evacuated, cut, extended, reconnected, leak tested with nitrogen, totally emptied with a vacuum pump (which also boils away any moisture), refilled with refrigerant until the frost line is correct.
Unlike automotive AC systems that I am accustomed to, some of these small systems don't have normal fittings for connecting the coils, or even refilling the refrigerant. BUT you can buy and install the fittings, and end up with a system that is easily dismantled, evacuated/refilled if serviced.
Not really something the average guy can do since you need a bunch of specialized tools and in Canada you can't buy refrigerant unless you have a license.
One compressor install location I have considered, is in the cabinets in the galley. Cut the front panel and make a grill to allow good airflow. Make it easier to service, and save space in the port lazarette.
That COULD allow me to make a hole in the ice box and feed the coil inside without disconnecting and extending it. The portable fridges often have the coil wrapped around the box. To feed it into the boat's icebox you would have to gently bend it and feed it through a 1 inch hole. Once the coil was inside, coil it back up again. Might be doable but I wouldn't when I can just cut it and reconnect. IMO.
I see these portable refrigerators as a cheap source of parts. Like parting out a vehicle, it is cheaper than buying the parts themselves.
The fact that the portable fridges have dual zone, dual temp controls, eco/full speed function and low voltage shutdown, makes them very attractive to me as a source of parts. Some even have wireless connection to an app on your cell phone.
The problem is, you need refrigerant skills to do that. Hence why some buy an IMO overpriced marine conversion kit.
That said, the easiest setup might be modifying the cabinets so a flat topped portable fridge just slides and straps onto a shelf after the icebox is removed. That way it is removable.
One of our club members did exactly that.
No refrigeration skills needed. cheaper,and arguably better than a conventional icebox conversion. Especially if you have a smaller boat.
Even better would be a company making a kit with rational non marine markup, that has dual zone, digital temp, ASU components. Shouldn't be too hard really. Find out where they portable fridge mfg get their parts and have the coils customized with fittings for easy install.
The marine companies need some competitors.