I am considering removing the front loading refrigerator under the galley sink and making the ice box into a refriderator/freezer. (the front-loader is old, not cooling too well, and taking up valuable storage space.) The ice box is fairly large, and does not appear to have much insulation. There is also the "beer" access via the cockpit starboard locker. Is a holding plate the way to go, or one of the rectangular box-like systems better. The ice box is narrow and deep, with a good shelf up high for block ice. I don't think engine driven is what I want. More like an AC/DC or DC-only unit. All suggestions and any experiences. Particulary how to insulate. Is there a good spray-in foam that can go around the box?
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Don't really need AC!
Debra: Don't think you really need a unit that runs on AC. You can just leave your battery charger on while at the dock and it will work fine. If you are going to insulate with spray in foam be very carful. This stuff expands as it cures and you can destroy part of the boat if you spray into areas where it does not have a place to escape. As far as which units to buy you should look around. Holding plates are the way to go. Regardless of which unit you purchase you also need to plan on the amount of battery power that it will require. The better the insulation the less battery power you will need. There are units from Frostmate, AB, Grunert, Technautics Marine and several others. You also need to put your compressor in an area that is well ventilated. Check out the archives for related posts. PS: I do not think that the original boat had a front loading unit!
Debra: Don't think you really need a unit that runs on AC. You can just leave your battery charger on while at the dock and it will work fine. If you are going to insulate with spray in foam be very carful. This stuff expands as it cures and you can destroy part of the boat if you spray into areas where it does not have a place to escape. As far as which units to buy you should look around. Holding plates are the way to go. Regardless of which unit you purchase you also need to plan on the amount of battery power that it will require. The better the insulation the less battery power you will need. There are units from Frostmate, AB, Grunert, Technautics Marine and several others. You also need to put your compressor in an area that is well ventilated. Check out the archives for related posts. PS: I do not think that the original boat had a front loading unit!
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R.W. Landau
Dap
Debra, DAP is now making a spray foam that is latex. It expands to the available volume and stops. Unlike urethane this product does not all have to be used at one time. I do not know it's insulating qualities. I saw it at a contractors lunch at Home Depot where a rep did a demo. Seems like good stuff but I would investigate it further for insulating value, water absorbsion and anything you can think of. r.w.landau
Debra, DAP is now making a spray foam that is latex. It expands to the available volume and stops. Unlike urethane this product does not all have to be used at one time. I do not know it's insulating qualities. I saw it at a contractors lunch at Home Depot where a rep did a demo. Seems like good stuff but I would investigate it further for insulating value, water absorbsion and anything you can think of. r.w.landau
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Bill Thomas
Ice box conversion
The rectangular bin style conversion kits are very reliable, afford freezer space, and owner installed. No tech is needed as with a holdover system. Follow the directions carefully when working with expanding foam.
The rectangular bin style conversion kits are very reliable, afford freezer space, and owner installed. No tech is needed as with a holdover system. Follow the directions carefully when working with expanding foam.
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Debra Blatnik
Where to put the rectangular bin
Bill Should the bin go at the bottom of the box? That would seem to go against the "heat rises" law.... Are the holding plates all engine driven?
Bill Should the bin go at the bottom of the box? That would seem to go against the "heat rises" law.... Are the holding plates all engine driven?
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Bill Thomas
Where the Bin Goes.
No, the Bin should be as high up in the box as possible, yet still allow for access inside the bin. There are also 12VDC and 110VAC Holding Plate systems. The 12V ones typically draw 40 amps running. The cost of a good holdover system, with installation, can run in the thousands of dollars. The small 12 VDC cycling systems are very efficient now. You can pick one up for under 900.00 and spend the other money on more toys. High output alternators, Bigger house bank, Inverters, etc.
No, the Bin should be as high up in the box as possible, yet still allow for access inside the bin. There are also 12VDC and 110VAC Holding Plate systems. The 12V ones typically draw 40 amps running. The cost of a good holdover system, with installation, can run in the thousands of dollars. The small 12 VDC cycling systems are very efficient now. You can pick one up for under 900.00 and spend the other money on more toys. High output alternators, Bigger house bank, Inverters, etc.
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Ed Schenck
Debra, please post your results.
My H37C has refrigeration that I have never used. There's a cold-plate lying in the bottom, vertically. The compressor is out of sight, under the coaming, all the way back on starboard. I don't use it because I have a "beer frig" where the stove should be. So I would be very interested in your results, both refer and insulation. The stove has to go back in the hole.
My H37C has refrigeration that I have never used. There's a cold-plate lying in the bottom, vertically. The compressor is out of sight, under the coaming, all the way back on starboard. I don't use it because I have a "beer frig" where the stove should be. So I would be very interested in your results, both refer and insulation. The stove has to go back in the hole.
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