Icebox Conversion...Which to Buy?

[Simon Sexton]

Hey Everyone,

By next August I'll be living aboard my Catalina 25 while attending A&M Galveston. I've already improved upon lots of things to make the boat more comfortable, one of the major things being storage. While I was sanitizing and re-installing the water tank, hoses, and faucets I realized I would probably need a refrigerator to keep goods cool. My maximum budget for an icebox conversion kit is roughly $1,200, but as I'm looking on West Marine, I'm seeing three pages of Isotherm kits, all priced differently. So, forgive me if this post is a bit redundant, but I'm not entirely sure which kit would best fit my Catalina 25. Any advice would be of great help!

God Bless,
S.S.

 

[dlochner]

Simon, The size of the icebox usually determines the size of the refrigeration unit. It is also necessary to consider the power supply. Refrigeration is a huge draw and needs a large enough battery bank and charging source to keep it running.

Have you considered a portable. unit, both Isotherm and Dometic make good units that can run off 12v DC or 120v AC. They are much cheaper than an installed unit and when you sell the boat, you can take it with you. Here's one on Defender: Dometic CF-35 CoolFreeze Portable Refrigerator / Freezer (Note if you join the Defender 1st program, you will save more on the purchase than the membership cost you.)

 

[Simon Sexton]

Simon, The size of the icebox usually determines the size of the refrigeration unit. It is also necessary to consider the power supply. Refrigeration is a huge draw and needs a large enough battery bank and charging source to keep it running.

Have you considered a portable. unit, both Isotherm and Dometic make good units that can run off 12v DC or 120v AC. They are much cheaper than an installed unit and when you sell the boat, you can take it with you. Here's one on Defender: Dometic CF-35 CoolFreeze Portable Refrigerator / Freezer (Note if you join the Defender 1st program, you will save more on the purchase than the membership cost you.)

Thank you so much for the advice! I'll definitely look into the Defender idea, that's a good point you make about selling the boat. I'll be installing another battery to have the refrigerator run off of, but I'll mostly be using my resources docked at a marina with shore power.

 

[svchickadee]

Get a 12v refrigerator off amazon prime, good ones for less that $400. If your boat has an icebox use it for storage.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You won't have a battery bank big enough to run an icebox marine fridge when off shorepower. I had a C25 for 13 years, I know. But you're not planning on that.

Here's the way to do it, for a LOT less than $1200!!!

Sailorchic34's new Fridge - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

OK, after 10 years of daily use my old magic chef fridge was making noise and pulling more amps when running. Being as I'm more then half deaf, the noise thingy was a concern. So I saved up my dollars

www.cruisersforum.com

 

[Benny17441]

If you are going to live aboard and mostly being plugged to shore power save your money and get a $100, 120V Dorm Refrigerator. The same for an Air conditioner, a 6,000 BTU unit that can sit in the companionway will keep you cool. Many live aboard use a two Burner electric top stoves for cooking. $40 will get you a nice one. You can use some of the left over budget to upgrade your power cable, panel and circuits to handle the loads. PS If you ever need to use the appliances when sailing a Portable Gasoline Generator can be had for around $600.

 

[capta]

I agree with the others if you intend to live in a slip. Forget the boat stuff and get something that will fit your boat and works off 110 VAC.
If you intend to live on a mooring or anchor, you probably won't have the power for refrigeration.

 

[HMT2]

If you are going to live aboard and mostly being plugged to shore power save your money and get a $100, 120V Dorm Refrigerator. The same for an Air conditioner, a 6,000 BTU unit that can sit in the companionway will keep you cool. Many live aboard use a two Burner electric top stoves for cooking. $40 will get you a nice one. You can use some of the left over budget to upgrade your power cable, panel and circuits to handle the loads. PS If you ever need to use the appliances when sailing a Portable Gasoline Generator can be had for around $600.

+1

 

[capta]

Many live aboard use a two Burner electric top stoves for cooking.

Keep in mind, electric burners can run 1000 to 1500 watts each, a considerable amount of power which an extension cord may not handle. Same thing to consider with air. Be sure you have a good shore power cord and fixture on the boat, as well as a power distribution panel with circuit breakers.

 

[Simon Sexton]

Keep in mind, electric burners can run 1000 to 1500 watts each, a considerable amount of power which an extension cord may not handle. Same thing to consider with air. Be sure you have a good shore power cord and fixture on the boat, as well as a power distribution panel with circuit breakers.

It’s funny you bring the electrical subject up! I’m actually getting the entire circuit redone and installed. Since I bought the boat she’s had ongoing electrical problems, so I’m willing to fork out the cash to get whatever is wrong fixed by a professional. I’ve already got a new power chord, because I’ll be having the shore power run to the cockpit instead of the anchor locker...which wasn’t even a proper plug, just an AC plug...sketchy...

 

[markwbird]

I got the Isotherm. Works great and draws about 1 amp per our when kept closed. My ice box is very well insulated, though. I only use one deep cycle battery.