I'm looking to add a marine refrigerator to my ice box but want to be able to run in on AC when I'm docked(most of the time) and on DC when sailing. All the units I've seen in the WM and other catalogs run on DC only. Any suggestions on who makes what I'm looking for? I don't know the cubic feet of my ice box but is the standard one that came with my 1997 Hunter 310.
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Paul Akers
Norcold
Check out the Norcold unit. It runs on either AC or DC. Mine is a 1988 model, but I beleive they are still around.
Check out the Norcold unit. It runs on either AC or DC. Mine is a 1988 model, but I beleive they are still around.
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warren feldstein
DC ok with shoreside too!
A typical installation of a DC fridge involves extra battery capacity, higher output alternator ( a possiblity) and a higher output battery charger. At the dock the fridge continues to run off the batteries. The batteries are in turn kept topped up by the charger. Have you considered this sort of arrangement? Warren
A typical installation of a DC fridge involves extra battery capacity, higher output alternator ( a possiblity) and a higher output battery charger. At the dock the fridge continues to run off the batteries. The batteries are in turn kept topped up by the charger. Have you considered this sort of arrangement? Warren
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Peter Brennan
Not much choice
I was just looking through the West Marine catalog and see very little choice unless you want to go to a front loading/opening household type refrigerator. Some of these are switchable for either 12 volt or 120 volt. Otherwise, your choice is pretty much 12 volt or engine driven. The batteries power the refrigerator at all times. The batteries in turn are constantly charged by the shore power charger or the engine-driven alternator when underway. You don't really need a high output alternator and larger batteries unless you spend a lot of time on the hook or cruising. Today's refrigeration units are twice as efficient as those of ten years ago. There has been some question whether the constant and simultaneous drain and charge on the batteries shortens their lives but I have not seen the question resolved. Also bear in mind that the compressor in a good unit in a well-insulated box will run only half the time -- less in cool weather, if water cooled and if left alone with the box not opened for days at a time. Our boat (O'Day 37) does have a high output alternator and big batteries (two 4Ds). Our new refrigerator is a keel cooled unit that literally uses less than half the power our old air cooled one did. We can hang on the hook with the fridge running for three days before we have to charge batteries.
I was just looking through the West Marine catalog and see very little choice unless you want to go to a front loading/opening household type refrigerator. Some of these are switchable for either 12 volt or 120 volt. Otherwise, your choice is pretty much 12 volt or engine driven. The batteries power the refrigerator at all times. The batteries in turn are constantly charged by the shore power charger or the engine-driven alternator when underway. You don't really need a high output alternator and larger batteries unless you spend a lot of time on the hook or cruising. Today's refrigeration units are twice as efficient as those of ten years ago. There has been some question whether the constant and simultaneous drain and charge on the batteries shortens their lives but I have not seen the question resolved. Also bear in mind that the compressor in a good unit in a well-insulated box will run only half the time -- less in cool weather, if water cooled and if left alone with the box not opened for days at a time. Our boat (O'Day 37) does have a high output alternator and big batteries (two 4Ds). Our new refrigerator is a keel cooled unit that literally uses less than half the power our old air cooled one did. We can hang on the hook with the fridge running for three days before we have to charge batteries.
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Tom Pfleeger
Alder/Barbour Waeco Coolmatic series 80
I have a '99 H310 and I self installed a Coolmatic 85 compressor w/ a vd-04 L-evaporator. The compressor is on the starboard shelf in the aft berth directly behind the icebox. I built a ventilated cover for it and secured everything. The unit is left on continuosly at dockside w/ shorepower and charger. It will freeze items placed too close to evaporator. In the summer I leave the a/c on 85 degrees to keep the boat interior from getting too hot and this probably helps alot. You may have to consider your battery situation if you plan on being out for extended cruising. The air temperature here in the Mississippi Sound seldom falls below 80 degrees in the summer(water temperatures reach 90 degrees by August). Considering the whole thing was <$600 I'm very happy with this set up. Tom s/v "Miss Jenna"
I have a '99 H310 and I self installed a Coolmatic 85 compressor w/ a vd-04 L-evaporator. The compressor is on the starboard shelf in the aft berth directly behind the icebox. I built a ventilated cover for it and secured everything. The unit is left on continuosly at dockside w/ shorepower and charger. It will freeze items placed too close to evaporator. In the summer I leave the a/c on 85 degrees to keep the boat interior from getting too hot and this probably helps alot. You may have to consider your battery situation if you plan on being out for extended cruising. The air temperature here in the Mississippi Sound seldom falls below 80 degrees in the summer(water temperatures reach 90 degrees by August). Considering the whole thing was <$600 I'm very happy with this set up. Tom s/v "Miss Jenna"
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Lee Hadjiosif
Thanks
Thanks to all for great advise. I'm familiar with the operation of a DC unit, but I was wondering if anyone makes an AC/DC switchable unit to eliminate the constant charging of the batteries. Obviously not, so I'll have to consider buying a small air cooled unit and mount it probably under the stove.
Thanks to all for great advise. I'm familiar with the operation of a DC unit, but I was wondering if anyone makes an AC/DC switchable unit to eliminate the constant charging of the batteries. Obviously not, so I'll have to consider buying a small air cooled unit and mount it probably under the stove.
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mickey
AC/DC refrigeration-Lats&Ats
Look in the March/April (5th anniversary edition) issue of Lats and Atts. Page 45, a carry-on fridge that will run on 12/24V DC or 110V AC. It's made by Engel, and they list the number at 888-272-9838. I found their website at http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/ . I know nothing beyond the above about it. Let us know if you find anything out. Y
Look in the March/April (5th anniversary edition) issue of Lats and Atts. Page 45, a carry-on fridge that will run on 12/24V DC or 110V AC. It's made by Engel, and they list the number at 888-272-9838. I found their website at http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/ . I know nothing beyond the above about it. Let us know if you find anything out. Y
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