We are considering leaving the refrigerator on continuously during the week while connected to shore power. We use our Hunter 340 (1999) primarily on the weekend & were thinking leaving the fridge on between visits might be more efficient. But were also concerned this use might shorten it's life or be a drain on the electrical system. Any one have any thoughts, pro or con?
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If it's running on shore power...
...then it should be OK. We have a Norcold system and we leave it running during the week. We only use the boat in our summer, but have done this for 5 seasons prior to this one.
...then it should be OK. We have a Norcold system and we leave it running during the week. We only use the boat in our summer, but have done this for 5 seasons prior to this one.
In any case continuous use is better
The new Hanna barbars sys's have 110 compressor motor assy, and a small inverter to convert 12v to 110, bothe 12v & 110 assy's are identicle even their bolt hole pattern is the same.
The new Hanna barbars sys's have 110 compressor motor assy, and a small inverter to convert 12v to 110, bothe 12v & 110 assy's are identicle even their bolt hole pattern is the same.
something to think about...
... if your refer is water-cooled you might not want to leave it running unattended because that means leaving a sub-waterline seacock open. Also, the nice thing about turning refers off when they're not in use is that you never have to worry about defrosting them.
... if your refer is water-cooled you might not want to leave it running unattended because that means leaving a sub-waterline seacock open. Also, the nice thing about turning refers off when they're not in use is that you never have to worry about defrosting them.
Refrig on, water pump off
I'm in the process of talking to various companies about installing refrigeration in my h34. All of them recommend leaving it turned on all of the time. If it has sea cooling, they suggest turning that off when not on board. I understand that the sea cooling is supplementary and does not have to run. The water pump intakes can become clogged and do damage. Also, check for proper grounding, good zincs, etc., if you are going to have the 110 active all of the time, since stray current and resulting problems are more likely. I've used Nigel Calder's book, Boatowners Electrical and Mechanical Manual, and believe it excellent on these and other issues such as plumbing, etc.
I'm in the process of talking to various companies about installing refrigeration in my h34. All of them recommend leaving it turned on all of the time. If it has sea cooling, they suggest turning that off when not on board. I understand that the sea cooling is supplementary and does not have to run. The water pump intakes can become clogged and do damage. Also, check for proper grounding, good zincs, etc., if you are going to have the 110 active all of the time, since stray current and resulting problems are more likely. I've used Nigel Calder's book, Boatowners Electrical and Mechanical Manual, and believe it excellent on these and other issues such as plumbing, etc.
Cold Machine On
We have an Adler Barbour Cold machine and leave it on all of the time when we're away from the boat. It's nice to be able to have the boat stocked with cold items (beer!). We are in a slip and hooked up to shore power. The nice thing about the Cold machine is that the compressor is both air and/or water cooled. Since the ambient air temp in San Diego where the boat is rarely gets above about 75 degrees we've never even had to use the water cooling option. If your compressor is air cooled I'd say go for it. Don't forget to turn it off while you're sailing or you'll drain the house bank.
We have an Adler Barbour Cold machine and leave it on all of the time when we're away from the boat. It's nice to be able to have the boat stocked with cold items (beer!). We are in a slip and hooked up to shore power. The nice thing about the Cold machine is that the compressor is both air and/or water cooled. Since the ambient air temp in San Diego where the boat is rarely gets above about 75 degrees we've never even had to use the water cooling option. If your compressor is air cooled I'd say go for it. Don't forget to turn it off while you're sailing or you'll drain the house bank.
Leave it on
I leave refrigerator on all the time (air cooled) and its great to have a fresh clean cooler all the time. Otherwise it will sweat and mildew. You will need to switch the battery charger to a Statpower multi-stage. With the old charger, I was boiling dry and replacing the batteries every season. With the Statpower, the batteries need no topping off at all.
I leave refrigerator on all the time (air cooled) and its great to have a fresh clean cooler all the time. Otherwise it will sweat and mildew. You will need to switch the battery charger to a Statpower multi-stage. With the old charger, I was boiling dry and replacing the batteries every season. With the Statpower, the batteries need no topping off at all.
Refrigeration On
If you are going to leave your boat plugged into shore power to run your fridge, and we do, make sure you have adequate galvanic protection. I go through a set of zincs every season and I saw a strut with on a 35 Hunter with approximately 10 persent of metal left. As an extra precaution when plugged in for a lenght of time I use an overboard zinc to protect my prop zincs.
If you are going to leave your boat plugged into shore power to run your fridge, and we do, make sure you have adequate galvanic protection. I go through a set of zincs every season and I saw a strut with on a 35 Hunter with approximately 10 persent of metal left. As an extra precaution when plugged in for a lenght of time I use an overboard zinc to protect my prop zincs.
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