cooling box

[wso_ornbau]

Being fed up with warm beer and liquid butter, I finally started
building a fridge for my Vega.
It shall fit in the starboard galley right beneath the sink.
My question to the group: did somebody has built one already?
I operate very economically with battery power and therefore tried
to insulate the box as well as possible. First measurements show 2,5
degrees centigrade loss in 24 hours. Size of the box is 40 litres
(1,4 cu feet), inner temp. of the box was 11 degrees, ambient temp
was 20 degrees. The box was filled with 8 litres of liquid (guess of
what kind!).
I have no idea if this indicates good or bad insulation. Does anybody
can value the quality of my box insulation by comparing it with the
temperature loss of his box?

May be we can share ideas about an energy-saving cooling box?

Regards
Lueder
Vega 1992

 

[bbach1949]

Lueder: I converted my existing icebox for refrigeration. I used the
smallest Waeco Coolmatic compressor and evaporator unit (Series 55 compressor and
VD01 Evaporator)). It operates well and gives me a few days without having to
recharge the main house battery. I found that I could remove the existing
stainless steel icebox and insulate it with 2 inches of polyisocyanurate foil
faced insulation and still (just barely) reinstall the unit in its original
location. All foam is sealed with expanding foam, foil tape, and an outside shrink
wrap. I built a new top and cover using fiberglas and foam but could still
keep the same countertop cutout.. The compressor is installed on a bracket on
the bulkhead in the forward end of the port seat locker (up high and out of
the way) with the piping running under the bridge deck to the evaporator unit
inside the icebox.

This keeps things near freezing if we want, and will make ice in a small tray
on top of the evaporator. I leave it running all the time, running through
the battery charger at the dock. I've never done any calculations of heat
loss, choosing instead to put as much insulation as I could while using the
existing space. I could provide pictures for those who are interested, though a lot
of this is covered up now. Bill Bach, V 1071 Calimera