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Buck Harrison
Larry
You didn't say what type or size boat you have, but since the icebox on almost all boats is insulated w/ 2-3"'s of insulation, cutting the hole to put the (cube) refrig. in is a hassel. Also, the interior space is usually too small to hold the refrig (w/o trying to remove all the insulation (which is a REAL hassel). On my last boat (w/o refrig), I located the cube refrig. in a hanging locker (on a shelf) and used the "icebox" as a freezer on longer trips, by putting a small block of dry ice in the bottom of the icebox. The block of dry ice will last about 5-6 days. I used to put a bag of (regular) ice on top of the dry ice, then the frozen food in 2 removable plastic baskets on top of the bag of ice... worked well.
You didn't say what type or size boat you have, but since the icebox on almost all boats is insulated w/ 2-3"'s of insulation, cutting the hole to put the (cube) refrig. in is a hassel. Also, the interior space is usually too small to hold the refrig (w/o trying to remove all the insulation (which is a REAL hassel). On my last boat (w/o refrig), I located the cube refrig. in a hanging locker (on a shelf) and used the "icebox" as a freezer on longer trips, by putting a small block of dry ice in the bottom of the icebox. The block of dry ice will last about 5-6 days. I used to put a bag of (regular) ice on top of the dry ice, then the frozen food in 2 removable plastic baskets on top of the bag of ice... worked well.
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Bob Camarena
Check out Photo Forum
The Photo forum on this site has an article on using the guts from a small "dorm" refrigerator to convert the icebox to an A/C refrigerator. Go to the Photo forum and search on the word "refrigeration" and you should find it.
The Photo forum on this site has an article on using the guts from a small "dorm" refrigerator to convert the icebox to an A/C refrigerator. Go to the Photo forum and search on the word "refrigeration" and you should find it.
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Barry
I Did That and Posted Photos
Hope you can get them from the archives because I deleted them from my hard drive. Here's the short version. I bought a used 3.7 cubic ft dorm refrig. from a college kid for $40. Removed the working parts and kept the wires, thermostat and tubing hooked up. Didn't loose freon. Cut a hole in the side of my icebox (on an h34) slid the evaporator and thermostat inside and put the compressor and condenser in a locker next to the ice box. Close up the hole and reinsulated. Froze beer the first night so I had to put the 1-10 thermostat on #2.Later added a small fan near the condenser. That was done in 1994, still going so I got my $40 worth. Added a Freedom 10 1000 watt inverter and have used it for short times when I'm away from shore power. Not the most energy efficient but is the most cost effective by far. I have done several of these conversions and am thinking about doing the same with an old AC/DC Norcold unit from a power boat. Barry
Hope you can get them from the archives because I deleted them from my hard drive. Here's the short version. I bought a used 3.7 cubic ft dorm refrig. from a college kid for $40. Removed the working parts and kept the wires, thermostat and tubing hooked up. Didn't loose freon. Cut a hole in the side of my icebox (on an h34) slid the evaporator and thermostat inside and put the compressor and condenser in a locker next to the ice box. Close up the hole and reinsulated. Froze beer the first night so I had to put the 1-10 thermostat on #2.Later added a small fan near the condenser. That was done in 1994, still going so I got my $40 worth. Added a Freedom 10 1000 watt inverter and have used it for short times when I'm away from shore power. Not the most energy efficient but is the most cost effective by far. I have done several of these conversions and am thinking about doing the same with an old AC/DC Norcold unit from a power boat. Barry
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RAY
Same here
I did the same and it works great. I will also put in a small fan to cool the condenser/compressor. I run mine on about 2 (thermostat) and it will definitely freeze at 4-5. I have more pics if needed. The disassembly of dorm fridge was not difficult, and it all came together. Some gentle maneuvering of the freon lines is required, so don't get in a hurry. They are pretty durable and with patience will go in fine. Did mine in about 2 days. The Hunter 34 is perfect due to the empty compartment (space) next to the ice box.
I did the same and it works great. I will also put in a small fan to cool the condenser/compressor. I run mine on about 2 (thermostat) and it will definitely freeze at 4-5. I have more pics if needed. The disassembly of dorm fridge was not difficult, and it all came together. Some gentle maneuvering of the freon lines is required, so don't get in a hurry. They are pretty durable and with patience will go in fine. Did mine in about 2 days. The Hunter 34 is perfect due to the empty compartment (space) next to the ice box.
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Joe Dickson
Same project is one my list - Hunter 31
I have the dorm fridge ready to go, but I'm still pondering the installation. It looks like I'm going to have to put compressor etc in lazarette. Has anyone made this addition to a 31? If so where did you install compressor?
I have the dorm fridge ready to go, but I'm still pondering the installation. It looks like I'm going to have to put compressor etc in lazarette. Has anyone made this addition to a 31? If so where did you install compressor?
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Bob Camarena
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Rob Verner
Thermoelectric fridge
Has anyone tried a thermoelectric fridge.Coleman makes one that runs on 12 volts (no compressor) costs $125 /-.
Has anyone tried a thermoelectric fridge.Coleman makes one that runs on 12 volts (no compressor) costs $125 /-.
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Tom Ehmke
Thermoelectric fridge
Bob, I bought a thermoelectric refrigerator several years ago. It works well, but uses a lot of 12v current. I gave up the shore power imbilical a couple of years ago, so now I use the refrigerator as a cooler. When I take the thermoelectric cooler down to the boat, I throw a couple of 2 qt. containers of ice in with my provisions, and when I'm underway with the engine running, I plug in the cooler. That way the ice doesn't melt as fast and I don't worry about running the battery down. It's a compromise, but what isn't on a boat with limited space. The cooler which was installed in my ODay 272 is grossly under-insulated, so it has become a storage bin. I'm not interested in installing a full-fledged refrigeration system. Bottom line- if you want a cooler not a refrigerator/freezer ( remember the 46 degree temperature differential) and have shore power to keep it running, why not? Just make sure that it isn't stored in a space where there is poor ventilation and/or it gets ungodly hot. Fair winds, Tom
Bob, I bought a thermoelectric refrigerator several years ago. It works well, but uses a lot of 12v current. I gave up the shore power imbilical a couple of years ago, so now I use the refrigerator as a cooler. When I take the thermoelectric cooler down to the boat, I throw a couple of 2 qt. containers of ice in with my provisions, and when I'm underway with the engine running, I plug in the cooler. That way the ice doesn't melt as fast and I don't worry about running the battery down. It's a compromise, but what isn't on a boat with limited space. The cooler which was installed in my ODay 272 is grossly under-insulated, so it has become a storage bin. I'm not interested in installing a full-fledged refrigeration system. Bottom line- if you want a cooler not a refrigerator/freezer ( remember the 46 degree temperature differential) and have shore power to keep it running, why not? Just make sure that it isn't stored in a space where there is poor ventilation and/or it gets ungodly hot. Fair winds, Tom
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Tim Schaaf
More Thermoelectrics
Supercool, of Sweden (represented in the US by IMTRA, I believe) makes a thermoelectric unit that you install in your icebox. It is not a hard install. The units cost a lot more than the Colemans, but they cool a four cubic foot box very economically. Mine draws 1.5 amps, not the 4 amps that is commonly cited for thermoelectric units. More or less every six to eight years, I have to replace the little fans, at minimal expense. Mine runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as I live aboard. Engle (Engel?) also has some very interesting solutions to the problem of refrigeration.
Supercool, of Sweden (represented in the US by IMTRA, I believe) makes a thermoelectric unit that you install in your icebox. It is not a hard install. The units cost a lot more than the Colemans, but they cool a four cubic foot box very economically. Mine draws 1.5 amps, not the 4 amps that is commonly cited for thermoelectric units. More or less every six to eight years, I have to replace the little fans, at minimal expense. Mine runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as I live aboard. Engle (Engel?) also has some very interesting solutions to the problem of refrigeration.
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Rob Verner
Thermoelectric fridge
Thanks for the insight.Tim, if you have any info on where to get the Supercool system it would be appreciated. I checked IMTRA's web site but could not find the product. How long have you had it ?
Thanks for the insight.Tim, if you have any info on where to get the Supercool system it would be appreciated. I checked IMTRA's web site but could not find the product. How long have you had it ?
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Tim Schaaf
Reply to Rob Verner
A long time! I got my first Supercool unit in 1985, It was faulty, and I replaced it under warranty within a couple of months. My replacement unit worked flawlessly until 1993 when I inadvertently fried it. Since my icebox is not a freezer, and I needed ice for some social occasion or another, I put a whole lot of ice in the box. Eventually it melted, and raised the water level (the drain was plugged to eliminate the heat loss) above the bottom level of the Supercool, and shorted it out. Pure stupidity on my part. I replaced it, and the "new" one has worked faithfully, ever since. The original fans had about a two year life, but they upgraded them in my new unit. The new fans are supposed to last about four times as long, so I suppose I am getting due. The old fans cost eight dollars. I don't know about the new ones. My box is four cubic feet, by the way, which is the theoretical maximum. For a couple of months in the summer down here in Mexico, when the water gets up to eighty degrees and well above, the refrigerator becomes more of a cooler. A smaller one would do better. But, under any other conditions, the unit is really excellent. I lived aboard for years in various parts of California, including Southern California, and at no point was the Supercool anything less than wonderful. And, other than the fans, there is absolutely NO maintenance.
A long time! I got my first Supercool unit in 1985, It was faulty, and I replaced it under warranty within a couple of months. My replacement unit worked flawlessly until 1993 when I inadvertently fried it. Since my icebox is not a freezer, and I needed ice for some social occasion or another, I put a whole lot of ice in the box. Eventually it melted, and raised the water level (the drain was plugged to eliminate the heat loss) above the bottom level of the Supercool, and shorted it out. Pure stupidity on my part. I replaced it, and the "new" one has worked faithfully, ever since. The original fans had about a two year life, but they upgraded them in my new unit. The new fans are supposed to last about four times as long, so I suppose I am getting due. The old fans cost eight dollars. I don't know about the new ones. My box is four cubic feet, by the way, which is the theoretical maximum. For a couple of months in the summer down here in Mexico, when the water gets up to eighty degrees and well above, the refrigerator becomes more of a cooler. A smaller one would do better. But, under any other conditions, the unit is really excellent. I lived aboard for years in various parts of California, including Southern California, and at no point was the Supercool anything less than wonderful. And, other than the fans, there is absolutely NO maintenance.
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