The 34 has two spaces that seem to be meant as coolers. Has anyone converted one into a refrigerator?
ODay 34 refrigeratiom
- Thread starter Arrgh
- Start date
Do a search on this site and internet and you will find threads, articles and videos on this subject plus suppliers of icebox conversion units. Suggest doing a review of the conversion with photos to share with the forum.
If you do convert one of them, I recommend the forward one as the aft one gets exposed to heat from the engine.
Rather than CONVERT and pay ~$2500+ I bought a Dometic CF-50 and installed (?) it under the nav. station with a webbing strap. It is a PERFECT fit, and has served me well since 2016, including a cruise to Florida from Rhode Island and back. Total cost was ~$700. If it ever breaks, I will buy another.
I use the O'day ice boxes with frozen gallon bottles of water, if I need extra cooling.
I use the O'day ice boxes with frozen gallon bottles of water, if I need extra cooling.
I was trying to figure out the best route, permanent or portable. Thanks for the info. My boat is in RI also!
How do you guys think the power consumption matches up between the Dometic and an isotherm style conversion? Your batteries handle it? Thanks again!
Can't compare, however my Dometic CD-50 consumes 35 to 40 AH/day. I currently have a 280 AH LFP house bank solely charged by 320 watt solar (typically 250 watt max.) so no issues. Previously, my house bank was 2x T-105s (225 AH/110 AH effective) charged with the same array, and had no issues there as well.
I considered an Isotherm conversion, however didn't want to deal with insulation issues. I'd like to hear from others concerning their experience with ice box conversions on their OD 34/35s. I like the frozen gal jug idea for capacity expansion
I considered an Isotherm conversion, however didn't want to deal with insulation issues. I'd like to hear from others concerning their experience with ice box conversions on their OD 34/35s. I like the frozen gal jug idea for capacity expansion
I have a 210AH wet cell bank, maintained by a 60 watt Solar Array that gives me < 10 AH/ per day. It is enough to keep my CF-50 at 37ºF when the outside air is in the upper 80s-low 90s.
I don't keep the fridge running when I am not on the boat, and when I provision the fridge (usually, when I am teaching 3-day ASA classes, I stay on the boat rather than drive home) I have food and drink that is pre-chilled, or frozen. This brings the CF-50 down to temp quickly, and helps maintain the cool in the box.
I don't keep the fridge running when I am not on the boat, and when I provision the fridge (usually, when I am teaching 3-day ASA classes, I stay on the boat rather than drive home) I have food and drink that is pre-chilled, or frozen. This brings the CF-50 down to temp quickly, and helps maintain the cool in the box.
Do you know how far your batteries are down after 3 days? Or are you implying that the unit uses less than 10 AH per day and you could run it indefinitely on your 60 watts of solar?
Just trying to figure out about how many amps a day these things use in the real world.
Thanks.
Guess that I’m a bit of a cool-pig. I run mine 24/7 and keep ice for margaritas. After all the LFPs like to be cycled
On my 88 C30, I did the icebox conversion 24 years ago and am still using it. It is cold all summer long on shore power so that I have food and drinks available. Mine is an Adler Barbour but would do a different brand now because they are much more expensive for the same parts. It is a very easy installation.
The SOC on my Balmar SmartGauge was 89% at 9:00 am when I left the boat to go teach new aspiring sailors. I left the refrigerator on, and the temp was set to 37ºF. When I returned to the boat after 6:00 pm the battery's SOC was 90%. The house bank bounced between 86% and 90% for the duration of the class. I did not have any charging source, other than the 60 Watt solar panel array.
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I've been running this SetPower continuously for about a year and a half with no issues, even in 90+ heat. Like that I can move it between the boat and van. It was on sale in the low $200s when I bought it.
The van has 260W of solar and 200Ah of battery which the freezer hardly affects overnight.
The van has 260W of solar and 200Ah of battery which the freezer hardly affects overnight.
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Here is a screenshot from my battery monitor of my Dometic CF-50 refrigerator running while on the mooring with no engine use, only my 60 Watt solar array. The dips in the voltage are predominantly from when the compressor kicks on. Other dips are the propane solenoid (for making coffee), fresh water pump and cabin lighting between 07:00 and 09:00. The refrigerator did not turn on as expected at 18:00, and was on longer at around 19:00, probably because I was messing with the breakers or something.
