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REFRIGERATION

7K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  sailingdog 
#1 ·
WE HAVE A MOTOR DRIVEN REFRIGERATION SYSTEM ON A BENETEAU OCEANIS 40CC, THAT DOES NOT COOL VERY WELL. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DUAL SYSTEM WITH AN ALTERNATE TO RUN ON BATTERIES. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? THE FREEZER SECTION REALLY DOES NOT WORK. WE ARE ALWAYS USING ICE?? DOES NOT SEEM THE WAY TO GO, BUT MAYBE THE UNIT NEEDS REPAIRED A NOVEL IDEA!!
 
#2 ·
Try using a beach towel folded in thirds and placed directly over the freezer -- inside the unit. Then put a folded blanket on countertop above. Will make a HUGE difference in the performance of your freezer. We normally have to add a bag of ice daily; but using these tip, we have had a single bag of ice last a full 9 days and all food stayed frozen -- and this was in 95 degree heat of summer.
 
#3 ·
The first time that happened to me it was an easy fix. I read the adler barbour manual and it was only the thermostat setting inside(not the knob that you see). The fridg and the air cond manufac. have been very helpful with free advice. Even if not Adler Barbour or Mermaid; just e-mail and ask them. Contact any manufacturer, I think they will help, cause they know it may lead to a sale.
 
#4 ·
I have also used the towel & flexable cooler, and it certainly helps.
Is your unit air cooled(no thru hull) or water cooled ? Of course it could be dirty like a window aircond and clogged, or thru hull clogged, or needs recharging like an auto airconditioner, or needs new compressor. The manufacturer will probably tell you a check list to narrow down the possibilities.
 
#5 ·
My Adler 12v cold plate system works great in very hot weather. I built my own 7cf box type ref. and used 3 inch insulation around the entire box and have never had a problem even when in Costa Rica. I did the same with my 5 cf freezer. Everything stays nice and cold even with temps in the 90"s inside. You can purchase hitech insulation in 4x8 sheets to insulate your refer. Very expensive ( around 350.00 per sheet) but very efective.
Tauras
 
#8 ·
This is the best resource that I know of for marine refrigeration:
http://www.kollmann-marine.com/

Lack of sufficient insulation is one of the biggest problems with having an efficiently running unit. Check out Mr. Kollmann''s information on insulation as this could be part of your unit''s problem.

Barb
www.TheCruisingLife.com
 
#9 ·
Yes I have a suggestion Jim, consider doing without the refrigeration.

Boat refrigeration is inherently wasteful of energy. If you are only doing coastal cruising that''s probably fine but in that case a well insulated ice box should be good enough. I''ve kept stuff for up to a week that way.

Save your money and just take your ice with you. I know that may not be the answer you were looking for but the reality is that most of the systems I have seen suffer the same problems.

cheers
 
#11 ·
IIRC holding plate systems can be used for either a freezer or a refrigerator... but most commonly are used in a unit that has a section for each. I use an Engel refrigerator on my boat, and it is a dual voltage unit. If I have it set for anything more than 1.5 or 2 (out of 5) it tends to freeze the stuff at the bottom of the unit, and the top acts as a refrigerator. If I am going out on a longer trip...I will generally fill the bottom with large bottles of water, with a bit of space in them and allow the unit to freeze them solid. Then they will keep the refrigerator cold for several days with very little power use.

I would recommend beefing up the insulation in your current unit before doing anything drastic. Most stock boat refrigerators are a bit skimpy on the insulation. Also, keeping the unit fairly full is very helpful, as that gives the unit some thermal "inertia", and helps keep the temperatures stable. I have helped install mylar-faced insulation in several boat refrigerator units, and it has made a HUGE difference.

A couple of other points... One—make sure that if there is a drain to the bottom of the refrigerator or freezer, that it has a cold trap, similar to the P-trap found under a standard sink, to help keep the cold air from just flowing down the drain. Two—cover the unit with a blanket...except for the areas that need the air flow—blocking the airflow will make it overheat. Three—if it is a front opening unit, make a heavy plastic set of curtains for it, to help hold in the cold air when you open it.
 
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