I have for the longest time considered purchasing a small home refrigerator 110 V and stripping the compressor, evaporator and thermostat unit and installing in the boats ice box. Has anyone done this and can share installations do's and dont's. I would be improving the insullation on the box and improving the seal on the top lid. I'm attached to shorepower so I could run the box continuously and when on the hook I run a generator. The box ability to carry ice will still be there so when underway I would have the ability to maintain some temperature. It must be nice to get to your boat after a few days and be able to have a cold one waiting for you. I could fit the whole small refrigerator with its built in insulated box in the storm berth but that would be giving up an additional space. Suggestions are appreciated.
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Richard Kollmann
Goto: kollmann-marine.com Richard Kollmann runs the best (marine) refrigeration forum on the net, answering specific questions with detailed (expert) information & instruction. Seems like a mickey mouse solution to me - but I’m well-known for spending other people’s money
Goto: kollmann-marine.com Richard Kollmann runs the best (marine) refrigeration forum on the net, answering specific questions with detailed (expert) information & instruction. Seems like a mickey mouse solution to me - but I’m well-known for spending other people’s money
Done that
Great project and easy to complete (about 1 hour of your time). As you say, it pays off with every cold one. I installed a fridge in a 77 Hunter 30' two years ago. The hardest part is bending the copper tubing to accommodate your ice box. Go very slowley. Worse case scenario would be that you will have to purchase another fridge. I added hidges to the top lid and hard wired an outlet from the circuit breaker. Since usually day sailed and when traveling docked at marinas I did not employ a generator. However, the box stayed cold all day and ice lasted for coctails into the evening. Sail magazene has detailed instuctions I believe were published Spring of 04.
Great project and easy to complete (about 1 hour of your time). As you say, it pays off with every cold one. I installed a fridge in a 77 Hunter 30' two years ago. The hardest part is bending the copper tubing to accommodate your ice box. Go very slowley. Worse case scenario would be that you will have to purchase another fridge. I added hidges to the top lid and hard wired an outlet from the circuit breaker. Since usually day sailed and when traveling docked at marinas I did not employ a generator. However, the box stayed cold all day and ice lasted for coctails into the evening. Sail magazene has detailed instuctions I believe were published Spring of 04.
Look at the archives...
used to be a guy here that really trumpted the arrangement you discuss. He didn't have to cut the refrig lines, etc. He used to post a lot, and gave pretty specific instructions on how to do it.
used to be a guy here that really trumpted the arrangement you discuss. He didn't have to cut the refrig lines, etc. He used to post a lot, and gave pretty specific instructions on how to do it.
I've done several, work great
Check the photo or project archives on this site. Dissassemble the fridge carefully without discharge, Cut a hole in the ice box and install the evaporator high along with the thermostat. Power it using shore power or an inverter (I used golf cart batteries) The major difference between marine refrigeration and dorm refrigerators is the price. I've hard these installed and work over ten years. Git 'er done!
Check the photo or project archives on this site. Dissassemble the fridge carefully without discharge, Cut a hole in the ice box and install the evaporator high along with the thermostat. Power it using shore power or an inverter (I used golf cart batteries) The major difference between marine refrigeration and dorm refrigerators is the price. I've hard these installed and work over ten years. Git 'er done!
Or install the whole thing.
A previous owner removed the kerosene range and oven. He installed a 110v dorm fridge in the space. It is better insulated than your ice box. It stays cold all day while away from shorepower. I can also run it from the inverter. It draws 10 amps from the batteries but only runs about half the time. I leave the AC on so the pop is always cold when I arrive at the boat. On top sits a two-burner Origo stove. We would never have used the oven anyway. I have also seen this arrangement installed under the nav table. I also have the more conventional Adler/Barbour 12v refrigeration in the icebox.
A previous owner removed the kerosene range and oven. He installed a 110v dorm fridge in the space. It is better insulated than your ice box. It stays cold all day while away from shorepower. I can also run it from the inverter. It draws 10 amps from the batteries but only runs about half the time. I leave the AC on so the pop is always cold when I arrive at the boat. On top sits a two-burner Origo stove. We would never have used the oven anyway. I have also seen this arrangement installed under the nav table. I also have the more conventional Adler/Barbour 12v refrigeration in the icebox.
Thanks a lot guys.
Thanks a lot for your ideas and links. Hey Landsend even I had thought about making a hole in the cooler rather than discharging the unit. I'm getting the right kind of equipment for the type of sailing that I do which is mostly day sails and a few overnights. I rather put the money on a nice transient slip at a marina with all the ammenities including shorepower than to have an expensive 12V system just for show.
Thanks a lot for your ideas and links. Hey Landsend even I had thought about making a hole in the cooler rather than discharging the unit. I'm getting the right kind of equipment for the type of sailing that I do which is mostly day sails and a few overnights. I rather put the money on a nice transient slip at a marina with all the ammenities including shorepower than to have an expensive 12V system just for show.
Within the last year or so there was an article
in either "Boatworks" or "Good Old Boat" magazines describing this very project. Can't find it now but you might check with them & see if you can find it.
in either "Boatworks" or "Good Old Boat" magazines describing this very project. Can't find it now but you might check with them & see if you can find it.
Thanks Guys I found Installation Pictures
In the Archives. The whole purpose of this installation would be to solve a refrigeration problem witout compounding a different problem of limited space in a small boat. The ultimate goal is increased personal enjoyment of the vessel. One suggestion I found in the archives was to convert the ice cooler into a dry storage locker and I'm giving it serious consideration but I would not hesitate to modify any non-structural part of the boat if that yielded the best solution to the problem.
In the Archives. The whole purpose of this installation would be to solve a refrigeration problem witout compounding a different problem of limited space in a small boat. The ultimate goal is increased personal enjoyment of the vessel. One suggestion I found in the archives was to convert the ice cooler into a dry storage locker and I'm giving it serious consideration but I would not hesitate to modify any non-structural part of the boat if that yielded the best solution to the problem.
Jeez, why bother
with all that for a cold brew when you arrive onboard? For less money and hassle this'll work http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3942759&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4128%3A5164 Or, if you want to spend more and have the capability to freeze you could get a higher end unit http://www.svhotwire.com/engel_portable_refrigerator_freezer.html This way you can run 12 or 110, consume much less power and be able to use the same unit at home, camping, on the road, whatever. Just a thought.
with all that for a cold brew when you arrive onboard? For less money and hassle this'll work http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3942759&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4128%3A5164 Or, if you want to spend more and have the capability to freeze you could get a higher end unit http://www.svhotwire.com/engel_portable_refrigerator_freezer.html This way you can run 12 or 110, consume much less power and be able to use the same unit at home, camping, on the road, whatever. Just a thought.
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