Keel cooled refrigeration

brokesailor · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010

How do these refrigeration systems work? Advantages?

deniseO30 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010

the compressor pumps the hot gas into a plate that has tubes in it. The plate in on the bottom of the boat the water takes the heat away and allows the hot gas to condense. You would not need a water pump or tube type heat exchanger for this set up-- should be pretty efficient. negative would more holes in the bottom of your boat.

Omatako · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010

There is a company that makes water-cooled condensors that fit into the drains of your galley sink and use the water washing in and out of the drain to cool the condensor. They are reported to be super-efficient and absolutely trouble free.

Check it out here: 2051 SP The little gold-colored fitting shown in the picture is the condenser that is basically a skin fitting to which the galley sink drain attaches.

The average power consumption is reported to be just 0.6amps! I have seen them running on local boat shows and they are brilliant.

I have no connection to this product other than I intend fitting a fridge and freezer unit to my own boat.

deniseO30 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010

thats pretty slick! I think it works because it would be below the water line. Otherwise one would have to drain allot of water!
water cooled in any kind of hvac has always been more efficient.

Omatako · #5 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by deniseO30

thats pretty slick! I think it works because it would be below the water line. Otherwise one would have to drain allot of water!
water cooled in any kind of hvac has always been more efficient.

Denise, being a skin fitting for the sink drain it is well below the water line and the condenser comprises a small coil that is essentially wrapped around the drain pipe. The seawater sluices continuously around the coil and cools the gas before it returns to the compressor.

brokesailor · #6 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

Thanks for the info. I knew of geothermal heat pumps, never thought the same technology would be applied on boats for refrigeration.

T37Chef · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omatako

There is a company that makes water-cooled condensors that fit into the drains of your galley sink and use the water washing in and out of the drain to cool the condensor. They are reported to be super-efficient and absolutely trouble free.

Check it out here: 2051 SP The little gold-colored fitting shown in the picture is the condenser that is basically a skin fitting to which the galley sink drain attaches.

The average power consumption is reported to be just 0.6amps! I have seen them running on local boat shows and they are brilliant.

I have no connection to this product other than I intend fitting a fridge and freezer unit to my own boat.

Omatako, have you installed this yet? How do you like it, what was the cost?

svjobeth · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2011

We've been looking at a keel-cooled system as well. We've not seen the sink-drained condensers before; sounds interesting.

SVAuspicious · #9 (**permalink**) 10-15-2011

Shawn - I may have noted in the other refrigeration thread. I have two Isotherm SP units on Auspicious. After 5 years I continue to be very happy with them.

mitiempo · #10 (**permalink**) 10-15-2011

Frigoboat Frigoboat Home Page is a very highly rated system that has a keel cooler that uses no power at all. A neighbor installed one and loves it - very efficient.