H 37C Built in Ice Box

Steve Dion · Jul 24, 2013

John: My friend in our harbor with a H37C has a unit in his boat and them make ice cubes.

Bill1565 · Jul 24, 2013

Johnb said:
I would be interested to hear from any HC 37C owners who has added a reefer unit to the built in ice box.

Two weeks ago we made a trip to Sacramento in very hot weather and I was amazed at how well the cube ice (free at our marina) lasted. This makes me wonder at the possibilities.

We have an Adler Barbour refrigerator unit. Works well. Needs a house bank of batteries to support it, and a charging system to replenish . If you can get solid "block ice" it lasts well. Here on Florida, they compress ice chips and sell it as block. Doesn't cool,doesn't last.

Benny17441 · Jul 24, 2013

Many have succesfully converted their boat coolers to electric refrigeration. Usually the box requires for the insulation to be upgraded and the lids to be modified with gaskets. A poorly insulated box just adds to the wear and tear for the compressor as well as elevated power consumption. Adding a refrigeration unit is only the first step, then you may have to resize the house battery bank and provide additional recharging capabilities depending on how mobile do you intend to be. Some liveaboards just take the inexpensive route and remove the innards of a 120V dorm refrigerator and install them to operate for the cooler. With access to shorepower and long stays dockside they work quite well. We run a 12V Adler Barbour compressor unit and pack a Honda eu2000 portable generator to recharge batteries and maintain refrigeration at anchor. There are some of tricks to help maintain temperature and reduce power consumption. 1) pre-cool the unit before leaving the dock. 2) Minimize the opening of the lid (we usually also carry a small ice cooler for beer and water) 3) Add frozen foods and meals. 4) when underway we shut dow the unit for one hour at a time and may run the engine and motor sail when the refrigerator is on. 5) Plug the refrigerator drain so no cold air escapes into the bilge. 6) Pack well to minimize the time the lid is open to remove an item. 7) Add frozen water jugs that can double as drinking and cooking water if you have the space. A fultime cruiser may elect to install a more efficient water cooled unit with a cold plate. There are indeed possibilities but best tailor them to your individual needs.

Mark Price · Jul 24, 2013

John, I just use my built-in for dry storage. I went with a Engel dual refrigerator/freezer that runs off the solar pannels. Uses about 24 amp hours a day. It sits where that huge harvest table used to be. Works great. If I ever win the lottery and have a new boat built I would have two Engal units built in. They are well worth the cost!! Got the unit at Sears of all places.Got to watch the temps... I tend to freeze the beer if I'm not carefull !!

Blaise · Jul 25, 2013

Midnight Sun has had Adler-Barbour systems since they were invented. The first units using R 12 would make ice in a half hour. The new ones aren't as efficient but still work well. They last a long time. I have never had one die of natural causes. Usually power surges, (one was killed in a lightning strike) or low voltage. In our boats, the key is to insulate the entire top of the ice box, not just the lid. I also sealed the cockpit loading lid. The compressor unit is mounted on top of it.

Ed Schenck · Jul 28, 2013

Also Adler-Barbour

Like many I also have an Adler-Barbour unit. And I sealed the lid in the starboard locker after insulating the inside-top. Also insulated the top and lid inside the boat. It uses two to three amps an hour once it is cold. I mounted the compressor so that it draws air from the interior. Instead of running wire to the panel I added a breaker right over the ice box and take the 12 volts from near the batteries.

Ed Schenck · Jul 29, 2013

Sorry John, that is all that I have. It is an "img", not a "jpeg". I'll try to remember to get a real picture next time I go up there. This remembering stuff is hard though.

JimBr · Aug 28, 2013

In 2002 PO added a Norcold SCQT-4407 reefer, but installed a box in place of stove. It ran well for 10 years, but the power supply/inverter quit a month ago, so only runs on DC. Because of a faulty battery switch, I thought it was running my battery down quickly. Replaced battery, still same problem. I shut it off and am contemplating either a power supply replacement ($426) or a replacement with SQCT04408 model ($675).

I think a SCCT-4408 in the icebox would be a good retrofit.

Jim Bridgens
S/V Leben ist gut
H37C # 143

H 37C Built in Ice Box

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