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I did it on our H31.
Doug: I did it on our '85 Hunter 31. The compressor was mounted in the aft lazarette (on the shelf above the fuel tank). We used a Technautic Marine unit with a holding plate. Be sure to insulate the ice box lid with some window weather stripping.
Doug: I did it on our '85 Hunter 31. The compressor was mounted in the aft lazarette (on the shelf above the fuel tank). We used a Technautic Marine unit with a holding plate. Be sure to insulate the ice box lid with some window weather stripping.
Steve...
Steve: On a scale of 1-5, where did the complexity of this job fall? Do you remember where you bought the compressor and plate? Thank you. Doug.
Steve: On a scale of 1-5, where did the complexity of this job fall? Do you remember where you bought the compressor and plate? Thank you. Doug.
WM and defender.com have them
Are you going for a 12V , 110V or engine driven compressor? The job is mostly standing on your head in a phone booth kinda stuff. Not hard but not fun. Wrestling with the tubing was the hardest part for me but that would depend on the installation.
Are you going for a 12V , 110V or engine driven compressor? The job is mostly standing on your head in a phone booth kinda stuff. Not hard but not fun. Wrestling with the tubing was the hardest part for me but that would depend on the installation.
Just a comment on the ice box.
The insulation on those ice boxes ranges from non-existent to desintegrating with time. In order to gain adequate efficiency good insulation is recommended. It is not an easy task as it perhaps may require dismantling the galley cabinet especially to get to the back. The use of foam strips and cans of spray foam are recommended. Make sure you place a gasket around the lid.
The insulation on those ice boxes ranges from non-existent to desintegrating with time. In order to gain adequate efficiency good insulation is recommended. It is not an easy task as it perhaps may require dismantling the galley cabinet especially to get to the back. The use of foam strips and cans of spray foam are recommended. Make sure you place a gasket around the lid.
Benny's right
I've known folks that uped their insulation and could get by without referigeration. From a power usage point of view this is critical also. You can dump a lot of AH into a reefer with bad insulation and not have cold beer.
I've known folks that uped their insulation and could get by without referigeration. From a power usage point of view this is critical also. You can dump a lot of AH into a reefer with bad insulation and not have cold beer.
Basic installation is extremely easy.
Doug: The basic installation is extremely easy. I placed the compressor in the aft lazarette. I built a "dam" to protect the compressor from getting over run with anchors, anchor line, life jackets, fenders etc. I used polyboard for this. I placed the holding plate on the outside aft area in the box. I used polyboard to hold the plate in place. I had a refrigeration guy make up the connections and run the electrical, but I think I could have done it without much problem. Search the Photo Forum archives. There are some good photos there by Jim Van Dyke who installed one on his 31. I will tell you that my experience tells me that there is no place to add insulation without disassembly of the entire galley. You could add some external insulation inside the lazarette area if you want. I drilled a hole under the sink thinking that there was no insulation and found it stuffed with foam. I just purchased an Isotherm unit. One big advantage is that the unit does NOT have a fan. You must remove the sink drain for a new thru hull that runs the "freon" though it to cool the gas. If you decided to use this unit, you could actually place the compressor on top of the aft end of the icebox. These units are very competative with some of the lesser units on the market. My friend Steve W. has one on his H'33 and runs it 24 x 7 without hooking to shore power. Just solar power.
Doug: The basic installation is extremely easy. I placed the compressor in the aft lazarette. I built a "dam" to protect the compressor from getting over run with anchors, anchor line, life jackets, fenders etc. I used polyboard for this. I placed the holding plate on the outside aft area in the box. I used polyboard to hold the plate in place. I had a refrigeration guy make up the connections and run the electrical, but I think I could have done it without much problem. Search the Photo Forum archives. There are some good photos there by Jim Van Dyke who installed one on his 31. I will tell you that my experience tells me that there is no place to add insulation without disassembly of the entire galley. You could add some external insulation inside the lazarette area if you want. I drilled a hole under the sink thinking that there was no insulation and found it stuffed with foam. I just purchased an Isotherm unit. One big advantage is that the unit does NOT have a fan. You must remove the sink drain for a new thru hull that runs the "freon" though it to cool the gas. If you decided to use this unit, you could actually place the compressor on top of the aft end of the icebox. These units are very competative with some of the lesser units on the market. My friend Steve W. has one on his H'33 and runs it 24 x 7 without hooking to shore power. Just solar power.
More on Insulation Thickness
Agree with previous posters about the lack of insulation of the ice box. Check thickness with something like, say, and ice pick (small diameter), works great. Foam: used closed cell foam. Foam will continue to expand for several days after it is applied so be careful and ensure there is adequate space available for expansion. Greetings from Port McNeill, BC. http://www.portmcneill.net/marine.htm Today we got the first southerly in about a month.
Agree with previous posters about the lack of insulation of the ice box. Check thickness with something like, say, and ice pick (small diameter), works great. Foam: used closed cell foam. Foam will continue to expand for several days after it is applied so be careful and ensure there is adequate space available for expansion. Greetings from Port McNeill, BC. http://www.portmcneill.net/marine.htm Today we got the first southerly in about a month.
John...
I was interested in your "boosterism" for Port McNeill. My wife and I, along with a few friends, chartered out of Sidney last month and spent a wonderful week amongst the South Gulf Islands. We intend to return to Vancouver Island for more exploration.
I was interested in your "boosterism" for Port McNeill. My wife and I, along with a few friends, chartered out of Sidney last month and spent a wonderful week amongst the South Gulf Islands. We intend to return to Vancouver Island for more exploration.
Doug, FYI
Doug: FYI! Our new to us Hunter Vision 36 came from Lake Stockton, MO (formerly Sweet Solitude).
Doug: FYI! Our new to us Hunter Vision 36 came from Lake Stockton, MO (formerly Sweet Solitude).
Norcold unit
I used the Norcold icebox conversion kit from Defender Industries, (around $600).It works great here in the great lakes, 110 volt when at the dock and automaticly switches to 12 volts when you unplug your dock power. Only have to run the thermostat at half scale and everything is good and cold. will freeze items if turned up too high.I built a shelf above the water heater for mine but have seen the same unit mounted on the shelf heading to the aft lazerette.
I used the Norcold icebox conversion kit from Defender Industries, (around $600).It works great here in the great lakes, 110 volt when at the dock and automaticly switches to 12 volts when you unplug your dock power. Only have to run the thermostat at half scale and everything is good and cold. will freeze items if turned up too high.I built a shelf above the water heater for mine but have seen the same unit mounted on the shelf heading to the aft lazerette.
Another Battery?
Steve & John, I'm assumng your H31's had a two battery bank; one house, one engine. When you converted the ice box, how did that affect your battery supply? Did you need to add another house battery? Thanks
Steve & John, I'm assumng your H31's had a two battery bank; one house, one engine. When you converted the ice box, how did that affect your battery supply? Did you need to add another house battery? Thanks
actually had 3 battery banks.
Dean: I actually had 3 battery banks. I know that this was probably not the ideal setup, but it worked well for us. I had 2 group 31's for the refrigeration (placed them in the aft lazarette port side). The house battery and the starter were above the shaft log (original position). We could go for 3 days without a charge on the refrigeration bank. I had no way to monitor so I have no idea how long they could last.
Dean: I actually had 3 battery banks. I know that this was probably not the ideal setup, but it worked well for us. I had 2 group 31's for the refrigeration (placed them in the aft lazarette port side). The house battery and the starter were above the shaft log (original position). We could go for 3 days without a charge on the refrigeration bank. I had no way to monitor so I have no idea how long they could last.
H31_83-87
I installed the Avxcel, Sterling Cooler. Works Great! 12 Volts, 4 amps max and 1 amp to maintain. Check out the above web site: http://www.avxcel.com/ I installed the evaporator on the port rear of the box and mounted the condensor on the outside back of the box (in the starboard laz)Did not need to add any additional insulation! I have had the unit running almost fulltime for the last 6 months, no problems, keeps box at 35 deg next to the evaporator and 50 degrees next to lid. Company staff was excellent help when needed. Want further info on my install e-mail me, see H31_83-87 owners for e-mail address. I highly recommend this product!
I installed the Avxcel, Sterling Cooler. Works Great! 12 Volts, 4 amps max and 1 amp to maintain. Check out the above web site: http://www.avxcel.com/ I installed the evaporator on the port rear of the box and mounted the condensor on the outside back of the box (in the starboard laz)Did not need to add any additional insulation! I have had the unit running almost fulltime for the last 6 months, no problems, keeps box at 35 deg next to the evaporator and 50 degrees next to lid. Company staff was excellent help when needed. Want further info on my install e-mail me, see H31_83-87 owners for e-mail address. I highly recommend this product!
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