I am considering buying a 1990 Hunter 37.5 and it has an ice box Anyone know what in involved in installing refrigeration and what the cost might be
Thanks
Thanks
refrigeration
- Thread starter shawanaga
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Unfortunately your question is somewhat complicated to answer, here is why:
Marine refrigeration comes in two types. Air cooled, and water cooled.
Air cooled refrigeration is the simplest to install, but will not be as efficient as water cooled. If going to the tropics (or close) you will find the air cooled version not really effective.
Water cooled requires more power (slightly), and involves the water. This can be quite complicated depending on the internal layout of the boat, and where you choose to put the condenser part.
Then comes the insulation of the box itself. Most prebuilt iceboxes are lacking in insulation, so you may want to add insulation. This will add complexity and cost.
Then, you must decide if you want a system run by the engine, or 12 volts. You could also choose 110 volt ac, but I don't know why anyone would.
If just buying and installing an aircooled system without any additional parts, you could spend as little as $980.00. Like this system:
http://www.defender.com/ProductDisplay?id=1770330
There is a lot involved with installing a system in an existing ice box, and more considerations.
James L
Marine refrigeration comes in two types. Air cooled, and water cooled.
Air cooled refrigeration is the simplest to install, but will not be as efficient as water cooled. If going to the tropics (or close) you will find the air cooled version not really effective.
Water cooled requires more power (slightly), and involves the water. This can be quite complicated depending on the internal layout of the boat, and where you choose to put the condenser part.
Then comes the insulation of the box itself. Most prebuilt iceboxes are lacking in insulation, so you may want to add insulation. This will add complexity and cost.
Then, you must decide if you want a system run by the engine, or 12 volts. You could also choose 110 volt ac, but I don't know why anyone would.
If just buying and installing an aircooled system without any additional parts, you could spend as little as $980.00. Like this system:
http://www.defender.com/ProductDisplay?id=1770330
There is a lot involved with installing a system in an existing ice box, and more considerations.
James L
In addition to what James said, the answer to your question very much depends on how you intend to use the boat.
If you intend to live aboard and/or cruise extensively, then you would probably want the type of refrig James is discussing.
If you will be day sailing with occasional weekend and even week long trips, you might want to consider simply getting an inexpensive A/C cube refrigerator ( running it off the boat's inverter while underway).
You can use the boat's existing "ice box" as a secondary refrig/freezer by putting either dry ice or frozen jugs of water ice into it when needed.
There are dorm sized refrigerators on some of the Hunters, and a few other manufactured boats. Most are 12 volt as well as 120 volt.
You can put a regular dorm refrigerator on, but using an inverter to power it would be majorly inefficient.
James L
Do It Right
Most boats of your vintage have air cooled conversion units just like this:
http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?565
These are designed for DYI installation, but $350-500 should get it done for you.
Good luck!
Most boats of your vintage have air cooled conversion units just like this:
http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?565
These are designed for DYI installation, but $350-500 should get it done for you.
Good luck!
There is actually another type of refrigeration with keel coolers or reuse of the existing galley sink thru hull. One of the unit is the Isotherm. We have one and could not be happier. It is nearly silent and works well. These Isotherm units use a special thru hull that have "freon coils" in the fitting. Once this is installed the rest of the installtion is basically the same as any of the other marine units.
I don't think you are going to get much refrigeration from an 120VAC bar cooler. If you want to go out for 3-4 days you are going to need a lot of battery power to support one of these systems. If you day sail, it may work okay.
Lots of choices but I would suggest you do it right the first time.
I don't think you are going to get much refrigeration from an 120VAC bar cooler. If you want to go out for 3-4 days you are going to need a lot of battery power to support one of these systems. If you day sail, it may work okay.
Lots of choices but I would suggest you do it right the first time.
Lokk into a Nordold or Dometic 12v/110v compressor driven fridge as used in some rv's , I have a 2.5 cubic ft 12/10v fridge I picked up un craigslist 2 years ago and it has been running almost every day since then , they are great fridges
Owned a 37.5 with a reefer (water cooled). Worked well. Compressor was under the port salon seat just forward of the galley. if you go the water cooled route make sure the raw water intake is centered on the boat long axis. on a port beat our intake uncovered and caused the unit to develop an air lock.
The install was fairly straight forward, the hard part being the freon runs and installing extra insulation on the ice box
The install was fairly straight forward, the hard part being the freon runs and installing extra insulation on the ice box
I purposely left out the Isotherm, due to it actually using water for cooling.
It is the unit I'm looking at, in the case I may need to install or upgrade any boat I purchase.
James L
I fitted an air-cooled AB with the cold-plate in my icebox. For day sailing I get cold beer. For overnight sailing trip I get frozen beer and ice cube. My location clime is much like Florida. You can the AB machine from Hunterowners, http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?559
http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?547/The ColdMachine - Power Plate
http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?547/The ColdMachine - Power Plate
Shawanaga...Here is what has worked well for me for the last 10 years. Maybe something like this will work for you. I have the Adler Barbour Cold machine cu100 model. The freezing coil and fan combo is mounted on the common bulkhead under the galley sink next to freezer compartment. The compressor is mount separate under the settee in front of galley sink next to main a/c unit. It is a 12 volt unit which I have set to run off of a continuous 12 volt supply while on shore power at the slip. I have a 3 position selector switch so I can switch to house battery bank or 12v power from regulated 12v power supply. I have uploaded some pictures to help give you and idea of my setup. I let it run 24/7 just like at home.
Adler as a newer model set up that I would maybe consider if for some reason I were to need to replace unit. It has the compressor and cold plate mounted together which would mount in the same way on the bulkhead the cu100 model I have now. I would probably lose some under sink storage but would gain the space under settee. This set up I believe which ever model you chose would be very close to meeting all your needs. Defender has this model listed in their catalog I am not sure about the other sources for any better deals...The 3 position switch,12v power supply,temp gauge etc I found on eBay. BTW...If you want to try and contact the eBay sellers were I found these items private message me and I will see if I can look up the info.
Good Luck!
http://www.defender.com/pdf/2694_AB_CS-NC-15_spec_sheet-20090630-Web.pdf
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We just had our 30 yr old Adler Barbour refrig replaced, cost us $1,700 installed. We also have an Engel ac/dc refirg/freezer that we use as a freezer and store in our 1/4 berth, but it also can run as a frig. Nice thing about the Engel it automatically switches to ac or dc depending on whether you are plugged in or not. It cost us about $800 couple of years ago.
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