How to do a freezer

[Mark Cain]

I have a Morgan 43 with a split frig. About 4.5 cu feet each, separated by about 2" of insulation. I have an Adler Barbour Super COld Machine and Power (Holding) Plate. The compressor is in the engine room--I have a water cooling kit, but not yet installed. The Holding plate is installed in the Freezer, with a thermostat-controlled fan blowing through a hold from the freezer section to the refrigerator section. There is no evaporator in the refrigerator section. Insulation is original and of unknown current quality. During a summer day, the entire box--both "freezer" and refrigerator--hold temperatures of 32-45 degrees (early morning to late afternoon). A thermometer placed on the holding plate reads about 29 degrees.I would like to have a refrigerator that holds good temperatures, and a freezer that can really freeze meat, ice cream, etc. While the current config is fine for one large refrigerator, it does not look like it will work to do what I want. I am prepared to go with another compressor and another holding plate, if necessary. Or if there is a way to do another holding plate and just one compressor, that would be good.Question: What do I do to achieve the ends I want? I have thought of several options: 1) Move the current holding plate to the refrig side and add a second entirely separate unit (compressor and holding plate) to the freezer. Close up the hold and deep-6 the fan. If so, the current Power Plate model would not seem to get cold enough for a freezer. Challenge is cost and complexity--I have very little room for another compressor, and the difficulty of recharging the current unit after the holding plate is moved.2) Check and increase insulation. Bad news. Major surgery is required to the boat to get at the insulation. This is probably way beyond my boat-owner carpentry capabilities and would probably be a $20,000 solution once all the teak is put back.3) Ideally add another power plate, that goes very cold--say 0-10 degrees--for the freezer and ideally (can this be done?) run both holding plates off the same compressor?!?Help???????

 

[Debra B]

I have seen this discussed - not sure where...

Though I am not sure I saw it on this site, I have seen a diagram of hooking 2 evaporators to one compressor.... Requires more than do-it-yourself expertise, but not much more. 2 thermostats, a coolant-capable solonoid valve and some connectors...When the freezer calls for power, the valve to the refrigerator is shut. When the refigerator calls for cooling, both evaporators are cooled.I suppose you get fancier.Someone (AB?) sells a power vent that pulls cold air from the freezer to the frig, and uses only 1 evaporator to accomplish this (if the are right next to one another.)

 

[Al Miegel]

Sounds like your sytem is low on gas

I have an AB power plate and use it in a freezer/fridge combo. 29* sounds warm for the plate and you may just be low on refrigerant. I separate my two areas with 2" of foam and use a thermostatic vent between the two, gravity moves the air and I haven't a complaint. Keeps things frozen and the milk at 34*. Box is about 6cu.ft and is well insulated. Single power plate should be able to do what you are asking.