Refrigerator conversion

[Florida sail]

The, possibly, new boat that I am looking at has an ice box rather than a refrigerator. In my research I have found that there is a considerable cost difference in the two conversion models that WM has in their catalog versus the three models that Practical Sailor reviewed in the past (about $700). I'm rather confused. I have limited knowledge on refrigeration. Does anyone have any experience All help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

I converted my Catalina 30 ice box with a Nova Kool LT-200 series, installed it myself. It cost a tick under $1000 in 2005 dollars and was the best money I ever spent. It has worked non-stop since installation without a single hiccup.

 

[Bill1565]

You need to think about batteries, chargers, and alternators to support refrideration if you plan on using it away from the dock. I have had 3 boats with A/B 12 volt refrigeration. Refers all worked fine. Daily electrical useage ran 40 to 100 amp hours, depended on construction and insulation in box.

Battery GURUs suggest running your battery bank between 80% and 50% as recharging over 80 takes a long time and discharging below 50 shortens battery life. This means minimum housebank size of 133 ah to 333 ah just for the refer with daily recharging.

 

[woodster]

take a look at the isotherm water cooled unit...i put one in an almand 35 in december and it has worked great on the highest setting..... if i set it any lower it is too much and it keeps the box at about38 degrees in mobile al in the hot summer time....a little pricie but well worth the money....

regards

woody

 

[seadaddler]

I think

I think but not sure back in 2000 the dealer converted my ice box to ref with a frigaboat or something like that put cold plate in the box and compressor next to it with a some kind of metal plate bolted to the outside of hull in the water but no pump but it ran off 12volts.
They paid so I am sure it was cheaper to do.
Nick

 

[mitiempo]

Yes, Frigoboat does not need a pump for its water cooling system. Excellent units, a neighbor installed one recently. http://frigoboat.com/home.html

 

[sailaway78]

the critical factor

The critical factor in all this is how well is your box insulated. A poorly insulated box, and you will use more electricity than you can possibly store. A very well insulated box will save mucho dollars on batteries and charging systems, not to mention a lot less wear and tear on the system.

 

[mitiempo]

Agreed the box has to be well built and insulated first. Here's the best link I have seen on refrigeration. http://www.kollmann-marine.com/

 

[Prime Time]

Sources of information

http://frigoboat.com/FridgeChillOff.pdf
http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/33_5/features/5445-1.html

I have an Engel that I use as a separate freezer. It is excellent.
My dad replaced his ice box on his Bristol 40 with and Engel yrs ago. Very efficient and likely has better insulation than you ice box.

 

[mitiempo]

I'm not sure about them having better insulation but the Engel fridge/freezers are excellent and probably the lowest power consumption of any 12 volt unit. I have an Engel MR040 and am very pleased.

 

[Florida sail]

Thanks guys. The boat that I am looking at was built by Mr. Hinterhoeller and if the quality of the ice box is anything like the rest of the boat I assume the insulation is more than adequate. I appreciate all the replies and advice.

 

[falcolnxp]

crusing boat 8 ft & under

Looking for a inboard trailer cruseing boat = beam 8 ft or under
around $10,000
have colombia 30 with trailer to trade in
Is there a list somewhere of boat in the 26 to 30 ft range with boams 8 ft or under
falcolnxp@yahoo.com

 

[mitiempo]

You may be surprised though. many good quality boats were built on the premise that a weekend sailor would buy a block of ice for a weekend and it would last that long with almost no insulation.

My boat, and many others I have been aboard and worked on have little or no insulation. My CS 27 has about 2" of insulation on 2 sides and the bottom about 1". The inboard side, nearest the engine, is cut away for the alt and the gap between the inside and outside fiberglass is only air space.

I hope yours is better but don't count on it.

 

[seadaddler]

Add More

Many have added more insulation to help keep reefer cooler.
Nick

 

[mitiempo]

That is probably a good idea with any stock icebox compartment.

 

[Benny17441]

What can be better than Island Packet? A bigger one perhaps.

 

[Florida sail]

To clarify things: The boat that I am looking at is a Nonsuch Ultra, built by Hinterhoeller Yachts in Canada and does not have refrigeration. Adding insulation will probably be a must regardless. The Norcold conversion unit appears to be a possibility and if I want to spend significantly more $$ the Frigiboat conversion would be my choice. Oh well, decisions decisions.

 

[Prime Time]

12 v vs. Engine Driven

On my Bristol, I have a Sea Frost, engine driven compressor with a cold plate system. I need to run the engine 2x per day for about an hr to keep it frozen when cruising. It has a seawater cooled heat exchanger. It is very efficient. At the dock, there is a separate 110 volt air cooled system.

We sailed to Bermuda this summer and cruised up to Maine last summer. Both systems work well. When we raced to Bermuda, we averaged about 8-10 amps/hr of power usage. That included the Engel Freezer, LED tricolor light, instruments, chart plotter, gps, interior lights, VHF on standby, intermittent radar, intermittent use of laptop and sat phone. 500 amp battery bank for the house.

We charged with a 105 amp hr alternator with a Balmar 3 stage controller. Typically 2-3 hrs per day.

 

[FastOlson]

PlusOne for Frigoboat

I installed a Frigoboat system about 8 years ago with the Keel Cooler. Low amp draw and it's quiet.
Good system.
L

 

[FourPoints]

Battery GURUs suggest running your battery bank between 80% and 50% as recharging over 80 takes a long time and discharging below 50 shortens battery life. This means minimum housebank size of 133 ah to 333 ah just for the refer with daily recharging.

True except for the first part, they don't suggest only charging to 80%. They strongly suggest charging systems that will be able to get you to 100% charge, but most people usually only end up charging to 80% because they don't have the appropriate systems to achieve that last 20% (except when plugged in at the dock).