- Status
Technautics Marine
Darren: Installed a Technautics Marine unit several years ago. I think that it was about $1400. This is a holding plate unit. We leave it on year round and it has worked without a hitch since new (except when we turn it off by accident).
Darren: Installed a Technautics Marine unit several years ago. I think that it was about $1400. This is a holding plate unit. We leave it on year round and it has worked without a hitch since new (except when we turn it off by accident).
Steve, where did you install...
the refrigeration unit in your boat? Does it fit down in the existing well? Did you remove the stove/oven?
the refrigeration unit in your boat? Does it fit down in the existing well? Did you remove the stove/oven?
Holding plate is in the box.
Joe: The holding plate is in the existing box along w/the thermostat. I mounted the holding plate as far aft in the box on the hull (starboard) side and the compressor is in the aft starboard lazarette.
Joe: The holding plate is in the existing box along w/the thermostat. I mounted the holding plate as far aft in the box on the hull (starboard) side and the compressor is in the aft starboard lazarette.
Shore power only install
For $100 I installed the guts of a dorm fridge in my ice box. Only works when I am docked, but I bring ice blocks when I go out for extended trips (2-3 days). The primary reason for my installation was to keep the ketchup from spoiling and the beer cold for when I come down to the floating cabin for the weekend or for an afternoon sail. Installation was easy. I just gutted a new dorm fridge being very careful to keep the evaporator and compressor assemblies intact and sealed. Then I cut a hole in the back of the ice box (access from the starboard lazerette) big enough for the evaporator to slide in. I slid it in, glued the cut-out back in place, and replaced the foam with liquid foam insulation. The compressor stays in the locker, where I screwed it into the sole and the back of the ice box. It sounds pretty crued, but it cost $100 compared to $2200 for what I priced out for a marine fridge. It doesn't operate on batteries, but with a $79 inverter, I could change that too. The fridge works great, with frozen beer when I set the thermostat too low. I also can always make tray ice in a couple hours when I am docked. I got the idea for this from another h31 owner who did this a few years ago. Look for "dorm" in the archives. s/v Perfect Union 1984 Hunter 31 Bayport Marina
For $100 I installed the guts of a dorm fridge in my ice box. Only works when I am docked, but I bring ice blocks when I go out for extended trips (2-3 days). The primary reason for my installation was to keep the ketchup from spoiling and the beer cold for when I come down to the floating cabin for the weekend or for an afternoon sail. Installation was easy. I just gutted a new dorm fridge being very careful to keep the evaporator and compressor assemblies intact and sealed. Then I cut a hole in the back of the ice box (access from the starboard lazerette) big enough for the evaporator to slide in. I slid it in, glued the cut-out back in place, and replaced the foam with liquid foam insulation. The compressor stays in the locker, where I screwed it into the sole and the back of the ice box. It sounds pretty crued, but it cost $100 compared to $2200 for what I priced out for a marine fridge. It doesn't operate on batteries, but with a $79 inverter, I could change that too. The fridge works great, with frozen beer when I set the thermostat too low. I also can always make tray ice in a couple hours when I am docked. I got the idea for this from another h31 owner who did this a few years ago. Look for "dorm" in the archives. s/v Perfect Union 1984 Hunter 31 Bayport Marina
Adler Barbour Frostmate
I put one of these in my former 31. I worked great and cost is about $600. Fits the 31 icebox perfectly. DC drain was manageable and I did not need the freezer box on the larger A/B systems. I was very pleased. Shop around, Defender, West and Boat US all have slightly different prices.
I put one of these in my former 31. I worked great and cost is about $600. Fits the 31 icebox perfectly. DC drain was manageable and I did not need the freezer box on the larger A/B systems. I was very pleased. Shop around, Defender, West and Boat US all have slightly different prices.
ALDER BARBOUR
Darren: Put an Alder Barbour system on our '85 31 last spring and it has worked flawlessly. The compressor sits in the aft lazarrette on a small starboard side shelf (keeps the unit off the deck in case of water intrusion and also allows for a straighter/neater tubing run). Rest of the guts fit very well in the box itself. I did something a bit different however. I bolted the condenser unit horizontially to the top of the box and flipped the door so that it opens down rather than up. This way it takes up normally wasted (air) space, makes it easy to access frozen items, and puts the cold up top where it does the most good (remember that cold air descends). I also cover the box with a thick foam placemat to help keep the cold in. With additional minor insulation improvements to the outside of the box I've found it uses about 5 amp hours/hr (ie: it runs about 50% of the time). I dramatically increased my battery capacity at the same time, but I think you could get away with a dedicated group 27. Good luck! Tim L. (S/V "TIDE") Works like a champ w/ cold adult beverages any time I want!
Darren: Put an Alder Barbour system on our '85 31 last spring and it has worked flawlessly. The compressor sits in the aft lazarrette on a small starboard side shelf (keeps the unit off the deck in case of water intrusion and also allows for a straighter/neater tubing run). Rest of the guts fit very well in the box itself. I did something a bit different however. I bolted the condenser unit horizontially to the top of the box and flipped the door so that it opens down rather than up. This way it takes up normally wasted (air) space, makes it easy to access frozen items, and puts the cold up top where it does the most good (remember that cold air descends). I also cover the box with a thick foam placemat to help keep the cold in. With additional minor insulation improvements to the outside of the box I've found it uses about 5 amp hours/hr (ie: it runs about 50% of the time). I dramatically increased my battery capacity at the same time, but I think you could get away with a dedicated group 27. Good luck! Tim L. (S/V "TIDE") Works like a champ w/ cold adult beverages any time I want!
Breath of fresh air
I TOTALLY agree with Eric. Those small fridge's you see in appliance stores are cheap and can be modified, altered, disassembled and used as Eric did. You could replace it every year for 15 years and still save money (granted, there is some labor involved but that's why you got a boat in the first place - right ?
) The only reason many (all ?) 'marine' items are so @#%^& expensive is that the manufacturers don't have any economy of scale. I still get irritated at items that are horribly overpriced for what they are (and their limited lifespan in some cases). Wait to you see some of the Volvo prices ($500 for a rubber gasket for the sail drive !!!!!!!!!! I'm tempted to make one out of an old tire !)
I TOTALLY agree with Eric. Those small fridge's you see in appliance stores are cheap and can be modified, altered, disassembled and used as Eric did. You could replace it every year for 15 years and still save money (granted, there is some labor involved but that's why you got a boat in the first place - right ?
) The only reason many (all ?) 'marine' items are so @#%^& expensive is that the manufacturers don't have any economy of scale. I still get irritated at items that are horribly overpriced for what they are (and their limited lifespan in some cases). Wait to you see some of the Volvo prices ($500 for a rubber gasket for the sail drive !!!!!!!!!! I'm tempted to make one out of an old tire !)- Status