How much does Refridgeration drain the batteries?

[Grant Blair]

I just purchased a 1999 Hunter 340 that does not have refridgeration. I am contemplating whether to add it or simply continue to add ice to the ice box for the weekend. When away from the dock (and shore power), how much strain does refridgeration put on the batteries? How long can you generally run the refridgeration without cranking the engine to recharge the batteries? Any insight or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Russell Egge]

Lots of questions, some answers.

If you have access to shore power during the week, and can start with a fully charged battery and a cold refer on friday night when you get there, and you add cold stuff, and your unit is well insulated (lots of info in past posts) and you have the water cooling unit to run on the weekend...then the refer doesn't draw too much (and your battery is fully charged) If on the other had you are on a mooring, with less than a fully charged battery and a hot refer and all the rest, its better to have an icebox fox a weekend. For longer periods go for the refer. Nothing like a cold adult beverage at the end of the day.For what its worth, thats my opinion.Russell

 

[Paul Bednarzyk]

'Frig amps

Grant, on my 380 with a Grunert Polarmate my initial amp draw in the summer was approximately 100 amp-hrs/day with water cooling option. With adding additional insulation around the box and under the lid of both compartments. I also added a rubber seal on the box to mate with the seal on the lid. My average amp draw now is down to about 60 amp-hrs/day. Unles you have added additional bateries, the 2 grp 27's that came standard will not be enough. The other option would be solar panels and/or wind generator.Paul BednarzykS/V Knot Again

 

[Wayne Estabrooks]

Some Answers

Grant,My 1997 340 has an Adler Barbour Cold Machine for the refrigerator and was original equipment installed by Hunter. I originally ordered the boat without refrigeration but it came with it by mistake. Man am I glad I have refrigeration. I can run the refer for 2 days at anchor along with lights, overnight anchor light etc without starting the engine to charge the batteries. I have 210 AH house battery which is 2 group 27 deep cycle batteries in parallel. I can then after 2 days at anchor still have enough battery to start the engine without switching to the other battery which is a single group 27 starting battery. I am going on 6 years with this and it has been great. It is so nice not to mess with ice. Go ahead and install refrigeration, you won't be sorry.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Just spent 5 days

on the hard doing the bottom. We left our Grunert air cooled system running because we didn't feel like emptying all the condiments from the box (and because I wanted a cold one once in awghile.) According to our Link 10 it pulled 220 amps for the duration. You can do the math for daily consumption. We have a 450 amp/hr house bank.