Refrigeration

[Rick B]

We have used ice in our Yamaha 33 for three summers now. The ice lasts three days and we need more. I would like to not require ice and am thinking of installing refrigeration.

Last summer I upgraded the house bank with two 6V AGM batteries. 176 Amp.hr total capacity. I also made the mounts for our two 70 watt solar panels articulate so can get 6 amp/hour between 10AM and 4PM on a sunny day in the summer without fiddling. I just leave the panels flat but can aim them. Of course the panels are supplying energy all of the time the sun is up. I am guessing that we can get 55-60 amp without aiming (if sunny).

Can anyone with a Yamaha 33 (rear engine) comment on their brand of refrigeration or it's installation? I am thinking of putting the compressor in the starboard cockpit locker.

Rick

 

[Edhavana]

Hello Rick:

On our yamaha 37 the previous owner installed a Cold Machine, and the compressor unit is sitting on a shelve in the starboard lazzarette by the bulk head so there is little loss.

We owned a 33 with front engine from 95 through 2002. We did not install refrigeration on ours as we used it for coastal cruising only.

Your proposed loaction will work fine.

Regards,

Ed Serra
Sarah V
Yamaha 37

 

[Eric M]

Rick,

We have 120V powered refrigeration on our boat with a holding plate system that only requires power be available 2x per day for ~1 hour to maintain the ability to make ice in the freezer. We have a generator on the boat so that is not a problem. I like this setup as it avoids the constant cycling of the batteries with the power demands of the fridge.
The refrigeration was already installed when we purchased our boat. I wish though there was more insulation between the outside world and the cold part of the fridge and freezer. We have 2" of insulation +3/4" wood between the fridge and the outside world and still get condesation on the outside of the box any time it is over 75F or so.
Having said all that, having refrigeration the boat really makes getting away from it all that much easier and more enjoyable.