Convert mini fridge into boat refrigerator -DIY?

[Kmoerbe]

I have a Catalina 27 with a chest cooler in the galley. Would it be possible to take the hardware from a mini fridge (motor, coils, etc) and turn my chest cooler into a fridge? Marine refrigerators are $700-900 and I was looking for an alternative.

The boat is kept docked with shore power and only taken out for a few hours at a time.

What are the possible negative outcomes of doing this?

I realize household refrigerators are meant to be kept upright too.

Link:
Convert mini fridge to chest fridge

 

[kappykaplan]

Why the double post in this forum?

 

[justsomeguy]

Probably hit the "post" button twice.
No big deal.
To the OP's question, it's your boat, I say go for it. Hopefully you won't need to deal with refrigerant.

 

[Kmoerbe]

Why the double post in this forum?

My apologies, it originally looked like it didn’t post on my phone. I will delete other post. Thank you

 

[dasreboot]

someone on this site already did it. they took out the guts and put it in the icebox

 

[dasreboot]

here it is

Cheap Refrigeration (A/C only)

We did the cheap refig thing on our Hunter 34.saw it posted on photo forum. Bought a new dorm size fridge and took the guts out. Installed easy enough, but I was also replacing counter tops so I could cut out some of the top where the compressor and condenser went. Will have to wait for the heat...

forums.sailboatowners.com

Hunter 34 Owner Modifications and Upgrades

Hunter 34 Owner Modifications and Upgrades

hunter.sailboatowners.com

 

[Kmoerbe]

Wow thanks, I didn’t see this before because it was talking about A/C.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm not sure where you're located but another option might be one of those electric coolers. The peltier element could be removed and they usually run on 12v. Cost is slightly lower but it might not work in hot environments. Probably an easy project though.

 

[markwbird]

It’s been done. Yes. It works.

 

[Benny17441]

Check the archives, there are plenty of postings in converting the ice cooler box into a 120V refrigerator by using the innards of dorm refrigerators. Try getting an older model with rigid evaporator screen in the back and the secret lies in properly insulating the cooler box.