I am looking for a way to install A/C only refrig in my ice box so that I can have cold beverages and condiments in the ice box when I show up for an evening sail. Any longer sails, I could bring ice like I do now. I was thinking that I could dismantle the cooling guts from a coleman 12V cooler, and drop the guts into the ice box. I would then use the A/C to 12V converter that I have for the coleman. Does anyone have any experience with this approach? Are there products that would work better and achieve the same effect? I don't need to have refrigeration that runs off the batteries -- two blocks of ice lasts me a long weekend, and I have a power dingy to get more ice if I need it.
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Just get a norcold
Eric: If that is really what you want then get a norcold. It will also help keep the box cold for a while after you leave the dock. If you ever decide that you want a DC unit, you can just hook it to the proper battery bank. These units are made for you. Both AC and DC hookup.
Eric: If that is really what you want then get a norcold. It will also help keep the box cold for a while after you leave the dock. If you ever decide that you want a DC unit, you can just hook it to the proper battery bank. These units are made for you. Both AC and DC hookup.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
I THINK Norcold only makes...dual voltage
...and they cost about as much as a shuttle launch (I just had to replace mine). However, I know a lot of boat owners who've opted for 110 fridges only from Sears or Walmart, where the 4 cu ft model only costs about $150. How well they hold they (or Norocold or any other fridge) hold the cold after they're disconnected from power depends upon how well insulated they are. I opted to add about 2" of insulation around mine....made a huge difference.
...and they cost about as much as a shuttle launch (I just had to replace mine). However, I know a lot of boat owners who've opted for 110 fridges only from Sears or Walmart, where the 4 cu ft model only costs about $150. How well they hold they (or Norocold or any other fridge) hold the cold after they're disconnected from power depends upon how well insulated they are. I opted to add about 2" of insulation around mine....made a huge difference.
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Eric Steege
Norcold Model?
Eric: If you get ahold of the West Marine 2000 Power Master catalog (has tan cover with a power boat on the cover). The Norcold AC/DC Remote Refrigeration System on page 566. It lists for $559. It automatically switches from DC when you plug into AC power. I would assume (makes an ass out of u and me) that if you do not hook up to any AC source, this unit would work to your requirements. You should get ahold of Norcold and ask their tech. staff.
Eric: If you get ahold of the West Marine 2000 Power Master catalog (has tan cover with a power boat on the cover). The Norcold AC/DC Remote Refrigeration System on page 566. It lists for $559. It automatically switches from DC when you plug into AC power. I would assume (makes an ass out of u and me) that if you do not hook up to any AC source, this unit would work to your requirements. You should get ahold of Norcold and ask their tech. staff.
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David
Norcold Refrigeration
Eric, Check out the Norcold refrigerators in the Defender catalog. There is an icebox conversion kit (SCQT-4407) that operates on AC and automatically switches to DC when disconnected from shore power. I presently have an old Norcold in my 1988 H33.5 that needs to be replaced. The compressor is malfunctioning and it is not worth the cost of repairs The SCQT-4407 costs $516.00 Contact Norcold at 937-498-6710 for further info or Defender at 800-628-8255.
Eric, Check out the Norcold refrigerators in the Defender catalog. There is an icebox conversion kit (SCQT-4407) that operates on AC and automatically switches to DC when disconnected from shore power. I presently have an old Norcold in my 1988 H33.5 that needs to be replaced. The compressor is malfunctioning and it is not worth the cost of repairs The SCQT-4407 costs $516.00 Contact Norcold at 937-498-6710 for further info or Defender at 800-628-8255.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Check the power consumption...
Refrigerators draw a huge amount of power...enough to completely drain my house battery in about 2 days when I forgot to turn the AC breaker back on after I came home and plugged into shore power.
Refrigerators draw a huge amount of power...enough to completely drain my house battery in about 2 days when I forgot to turn the AC breaker back on after I came home and plugged into shore power.
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Tom FitzGibbon
Norcold's Website
Norcold has a pretty good website at http://www.norcold.com/home.html. You may be able to get some answers there.
Norcold has a pretty good website at http://www.norcold.com/home.html. You may be able to get some answers there.
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Paul Akers
I have one...
...installed in my '88 LEGEND 37. It draws 5 amps running, so keep an eye on the battery(s). I leave it running on shore power (AC) at the dock. It runs all summer long. It runs quietly and is socked away under the galley sinks. It is wired to use two switches on the master panel (one AC and one DC), so they can be isolated.
...installed in my '88 LEGEND 37. It draws 5 amps running, so keep an eye on the battery(s). I leave it running on shore power (AC) at the dock. It runs all summer long. It runs quietly and is socked away under the galley sinks. It is wired to use two switches on the master panel (one AC and one DC), so they can be isolated.
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Eric Steege
What changes are required to install it
Is the installation as simple as drilling a few holes and laying the exchanger in the base of the ice box?
Is the installation as simple as drilling a few holes and laying the exchanger in the base of the ice box?
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Don
I'm confused
Are you guys saying Norcold has an insert/cold plate type of cooling unit like Adler Barbour sells? If so, I do not see these units on their web site. I think you must have (and be discussin) a separate AC/DC refrigerator that has been installed in addition to the ice box that is built into the boat. These typically come in RV's but I think the H40's were, at one time, equipped with this separate refigerator. I ask because I getting ready to install an Adler Barbour Frostmate in my H31 and wonder if I missed something in my research. Thanks.
Are you guys saying Norcold has an insert/cold plate type of cooling unit like Adler Barbour sells? If so, I do not see these units on their web site. I think you must have (and be discussin) a separate AC/DC refrigerator that has been installed in addition to the ice box that is built into the boat. These typically come in RV's but I think the H40's were, at one time, equipped with this separate refigerator. I ask because I getting ready to install an Adler Barbour Frostmate in my H31 and wonder if I missed something in my research. Thanks.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Btw...
It's important to let any fridge run continuously. Don't leave it off during the week and on when you're there...'cuz the hardest work the compressor does is cool the box down again after it's gotten warm....repeatedly asking it to do that is the fastest way to wear one out. But allowed to run continuously, a fridge compressor will last forever. My 20 yr dual voltage Norcold had been running pretty much continuously all those years...then my boat spent a month in the yard without any power. When I plugged her back in again, that ol' compressor just couldn't do it. If I'd never unplugged it and let all the lubrication etc settle in it, it prob'ly would have run for another 20 years.
It's important to let any fridge run continuously. Don't leave it off during the week and on when you're there...'cuz the hardest work the compressor does is cool the box down again after it's gotten warm....repeatedly asking it to do that is the fastest way to wear one out. But allowed to run continuously, a fridge compressor will last forever. My 20 yr dual voltage Norcold had been running pretty much continuously all those years...then my boat spent a month in the yard without any power. When I plugged her back in again, that ol' compressor just couldn't do it. If I'd never unplugged it and let all the lubrication etc settle in it, it prob'ly would have run for another 20 years.
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Tom M.
CHANGE COMP'R & MOTOR ONLY
There's a 38 Hans, that the owner is a retired engineer, he converted to 110v compressor and motor, added an inverter to handle it off shore, the remaimding h'ware remaimed, then the unit was repressurized w/freon. good luck
There's a 38 Hans, that the owner is a retired engineer, he converted to 110v compressor and motor, added an inverter to handle it off shore, the remaimding h'ware remaimed, then the unit was repressurized w/freon. good luck
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