what to install for refrigaration

Jeff C · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

Hello
I have a Catalina 36 MK1 and would like to install a refer in the ice box. But I am unsure of what the best way to go is. There are so many systems out there I am curious to hear different opinions before I buy one. Also what is adequate for my boat?

Thanks
Jeff

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

It would help if you said a bit more about how you plan on using the boat. Also, how large a battery bank do you have? If you're planning on doing Caribbean passages, then the refrigeration setup you might want will be different than if you're doing weekends on Narragansett Bay. If you only have a small house-bank, then it might make sense to go with engine-driven refrigeration... but if you have relatively low electrical needs and a relatively large battery bank, a DC-powered solution might be better. Also, longer trips generally require a larger refrigerator/freezer. So do more social trips... like day sailing with seven or eight people...

camaraderie · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

This guy has built a great reputation over the years in marine refrigeration. Check out the tutorials on his site and you'll have a better idea of what you really need.
http://www.kollmann-marine.com/

Jeff C · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

Hello Again,
Sorry about lack of information.

1. I sail in New England.
2. Seasonal (because of nasty weather, and cold, well Ice anyway)
3. We cruise everyweekend, mostly stay on the hook or a mooring, like my bussiness my bussiness if you know what I mean.
4. I have three series Group 27 Deep Cycle Batteries
5. and one nine year old who is always in the ice box unless she is swimming.
6. I am also pretty much sailing her just about every day, for the seven months she is in the water.

I hope that is a little better information

JohnRPollard · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

Hi Jeff,

As I said in the other concurrent thread, I like the DC fridge units for simplicity's sake. But even if you're already committed to a DC unit, there are still a heck of a lot of choices/variables.

We have a Frigiboat keel-cooled fridge on our boat. A previous owner had it professionally installed and we really like it - power draw is very low. But I've read of some newer designs by other vendors that have holding plates rather than just an evaporator plate. If I were installing now I'd be inclined toward that kind of unit.

Down here on the Chesapeake, it gets quite hot in the summer so it's nice to have the heat dumped out of the boat through the heat exchanger. Conversely, it's cold enough down here that we have to winterize, and thankfully the keel-cooled Frigoboat requires no winterization. So that is one variable that may apply to you as you consider whether to go with a water-cooled, air-cooled, or keel-cooled unit.

The air-cooled kits tend to lose some efficiency as the ambient temps increase. But they are probably the easiest to self-install (I helped stick one in a friend's boat and it wasn't very dififcult). Some folks have the fan blowing into the wet locker to provide dry heat for foul weather gear, etc, but ultimately the heat stays in the boat. Maybe there'd be a way to duct it outside, but up in New England this may not be a big deal.

I'm not an expert by any means, but just thought I'd pass along a few considerations that have affected/occurred to us.

Rickm505 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

You didn't mention how large your alternator is or if you use solar or wind for charging batteries. You have a nice set of batteries but a DC system will deplete them.

I use a Technicold engine driven compressor system installed on my starboard diesel with a holding plate in a 6 cu. ft. well insulated box. Engine runs twice a day for 30 minutes. It's an older system but works pretty well for us.

SanderO · #7 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

I can recommend Helm Yachts... Pete Krieling... He's out in the East End of Long Island.

JohnRPollard · #8 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

The problem as I see it with engine driven systems is that they are engine driven. We are on a mooring and usually anchor out, but when we treat ourselves to dockage I don't want to have to turn the engine on to keep the fridge cool. With shore power and a battery charger it's all in the background. Even with a modest battery bank (2xGroup 31) and a stock alternator, we can go for 3-4 days without charging when we are anchored out. Ours is a fridge, not a freezer, though, and we're careful about how often we access the icebox.

I guess there are some hybrid engine driven/dc units that might do the trick. But I definitely would not want to have to start my engine twice a day for refridgeration.

SanderO · #9 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

John

We are out on a mooring with engine drive and are only on a dock for fuel and water and in water winter storage. I don't like to use the engine JUST for the fridge and often when we are not going anywhere... like no wind and just hanging out on board for a day or two we will just buy ice.

However, we use the engine for making hot water... for showers and dish washing and of course re charging the batts. This means that we don't have to worry about every little bit of electrical usage because we will be recharging about 40 minutes per day.

But having a 12v compressor as well would be not only a back up, but can be used for dockside when running the engine is not required for hot water or charging the batts.

All this means that our engine is used about 200 hours per sailing season including motoring. Does that seem like a lot of engine hours? We burn about .5-.75 gal / hr at full speed so it comes to 100 gal per season.

When cruising we don't usually run the engine for frig only so it is not that often that we run the diesel just for cooling the frig.

jef
sv shiva

camaraderie · #10 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007

Engine driven units are standard on charter boats but rather limited for cruising since you HAVE to run the engine daily and can't get off the boat and leave your food...and that is not good for the engine either.
For new England, a water cooled or keel cooled DC unit works quite well because of the temp difference. As the water warms, they are less efficient but still keep the hot air out of the boat.
Finally, the air based DC units like the AdlerBarbour and SeafrostBD offer lower prices and excellent efficiency but at the price of being best suited to smaller boxes and refrigeration rather than freezing use unless you step up in compressor size/price. I do agree that cold plate systems are the way to go if you are not price constrained. With just 3 group 27's, I'd recommend something basic and efficient in DC with attention to good insulation on ALL sides.