Ice Box Conversion

[tcbro]

Refrigeration & Ice jugs

We have an Adler-Barbour unit in Orion's Child (H33.5) which has a huge icebox. It was there when we bought the boat so I cannot speak about installation. My friend installed the Cold Machine from Norcold and said it was very easy. Like everyone says, add insulation. We use a combination of the refrigeration and the ice jugs (just leave the tops loose for expansion when you freeze then and tighten them up when you use them). We run the fridge during the day. It's the hottest time and the box is opened continually. We turn the breaker off at night and let the ice jugs keep things cold. The temp usually drops at night and the box stays closed. This cuts down on the overall amps we use. Hi Captn Jim, how have you guys been? We haven't seen you out there.Toms/v Orion's Child

 

[Capt Jim24025]

SailorTonyB: No DRY ICE on my boat!

Just a note of caution!!!Dry ice is frozen CARBON DIOXIDE. When it thaws, it releases carbon dioxide as a gas. I don't know the space comparison but 1 cup of water makes 27 cubic feet of water vapor.This scares me because carbon dioxide is heavier than air and can sit in the cabin a fill it up if you don't have plenty of ventilation. If your ports and hatches are open and you have a good breeze to stay cool you may be OK. However, in South Texas, many people run their A/C at night. If you have any dry ice sitting in the ice box or cooler at the end of the day and your cabin is closed up to run the A/C, you might not wake up in the morning.I don't know, but it just scares me and I wouldn't try it, even in a cooler in the cockpit. I may be over-reacting, but I'ld rather be a clucking chicken than a dead duck.Please be extra careful, I have enjoyed reading a lot of your posts and want to keep you around a little longer.Jim

 

[William]

Norcold info

AnonI don't recall off hand and I am not at the boat but it think the model number is SCQT4407. My icebox is only about 5 cf. I did insulate between the cabinet wall and icebox very well. I bought mine off ebay for around $450.00 but defender has them on sale for $599.00 right now. It was very easy to install and took maybe a hour not counting waiting for the epoxy to dry on a small shelf I buile to holdthe compressor level. The dual 120/12v system is nice...when ou unplug the shore power it switches to the batteries....plug it in and it switches back. I think it draws just under 4 amps on DC power so battery concumption is not really and issue for me. It is nice to not have to lug ice to the boat every weekend and have a cold beer waiting for me on friday night.