Passage 42 refridgeration modifications

[Lyle]

Thinking of changing the factory dual refridgeration installation to a single unit in the freezer with a spillover type modification for the fridge side. The power draw for running both is fairly high (no generator and don't want one) and a lot of the time I don't run the freezer. By changing to a single unit I could run the freezer as it was meant to be and just use a spillover fan on a thermostat to control the temerature in the fridge. I had this on my previous boat with a similar sized fridge and it worked great. Also I find using the fridge at a low setting so nothing freezes results in lots of moisture on the evaporator plate and a very wet fridge. The boat is in a moderate climate so I think I could get away with one unit. Anyone else done this modification?

 

[Tully.J]

Don't do it man ! It will be hard to sell the boat in the future , if you decide to .

Most people , like me , love the separate freezer. I understand that running both compressors uses a lot of power , but if there was a generator on board that would be insignificant. I think Warren Lurhs really had that in mind when he designed the separate Ice box .

Regards

 

[Sailgunner]

I changed my system on my 410 to have two separate units. The original spill over system did not work very well.

 

[eianm]

I have actually done this on my H42. I did replace the original with a new system but it is the exact same principle- i have 2 x eutectic cold plates in my freezer compartment and a 3" hole through to my fridge compartment near thr top of the cabinet- over that hole in the fridge compartment i have a special mini fan and thermostat- works a treat- i have great fridge and freezer performance and only 1 compressor with about 5 amps draw- could not be happier. As i am in Australia, i used a local guy- www.ozefridge.com.au- take a look- some clever ideas- i installed his water cooling option also.

 

[hunter43sail]

It will work

Last year I replaced the duel plate system that was on our 42. The reason was that it was a R12 system and the compressor was shot. I installed a cool blue system with a spill over. We just got back from 3 weeks in the Gulf Islands and it worked great. In the PNW it should work fine. I did put a layer of bubble wrap over the top which has helped also.

 

[Lyle]

Thanks for the replies. IMO I really don't think it will affect the resale - if anything it might improve it. For those of you that changed to a spillover did you use a fan to improve cold air circulation in the fridge part?

 

[eianm]

yes- as i said- there is a fan with thermostat located up against a hole between freezer and fridge compartments- fan thermostat lets meselect fridge temp. works great- can actually get fridge down to zero Celcius if i need

 

[Richard Kollmann]

You may want to go to Performance on my web site http://www.kollmann-marine.com and click on Fans

Nine Different Ways to Improve 12 volt Refrigerator Performance with Fans​

 

[ttac]

I wanted to show you all what I had done to our fridge and freezer to improve the cooling and freezing. Our 42 passage has two units and just adding fans to both units has helped in both!