It is highly unlikely that the proposed cabinet refrigeration
project would be applicable to all but a few. So instead of this rather restrictive exercise, perhaps the boat owner may wish to determine his / her cabinet size, type of usage etc. themselves, then search for suitable
equipment manufacturer / supplier options specific to their own
project.
So for anyone planning a new refrigeration system, here are some suggested ideas that should make a successful refrigeration project more do-able and end with the desired performance:
(Hopefully other industry suppliers may wish to add to this list)
1: Gather as much relevant information about your project as possible like:
1a
Interior cabinet dimensions and is it a top or front opening cabinet.
1b Cabinet wall thickness if possible and insulation type if known.
1c Cabinet
interior lining material. (Is it conductive like metal, or non conductive like FG or plastics?)
2: Decide if cabinet is to be used as:
2a All fridge,
2b All freezer,
2c A combination of both and at what proportions,
2d Able to operate as either all fridge or all freezer.
3: Determine in what environments the vessel will operate in and use the most extreme for computations.
4: Decide where the refrigeration condensing unit is to be located, the locations ventilation situation and the distance from the evaporator(s).
5: Understand your
power storage capacity and your power re-supply situation.
Now armed with those factors, you will be well equipped to contact prospective suppliers. Ask for a heat load, duty cycle and power
consumption estimate. This information is the foundation towards making an informed refrigeration
equipment selection and for planning power supply requirements.
I suggest giving preference to those who are manufacturers you can actually speak to as they will know what they are talking about, know about these issues, and are not just some brochure reading expert relaying puffery in order to clear whatever is on their shelves!
Below is a Heat Load, Duty Cycle and Power consumption estimator we created and use to confirm system suitability etc.
With this estimator we can quickly add anyone’s cabinet details for an instant report.
We offer this as a free, no obligation
service to any
member who wishes to
email their relevant cabinet details as listed above, and/or as indicated in red on the sample estimator print out below. (Click on pic to expand)
A few other considerations:
Digital thermostats are far superior in all ways to the old mechanical ones especially the
water proof digitals. (Unless you’re the type that still drives a T model Ford because you prefer the crank handle starter and can’t break the habit, then go digital!)
Also back up support is a major factor especially for those cruising.
Some posters suggest you can
dock in some obscure part of say the Pacific and bingo, the local sari sari store has a
motor driver module for your BD35 or whatever, well that is simply fantasy stuff.
We have thousands of systems all over the world and have found that relying on the ‘local wire twitcher’ to fix your fridge is the last thing you need. Believe me, in many parts of the world there would be more chance of your system, which initially had a minor issue, ending up as scrap than having a correct procedure repair.
Our answer is firstly a user friendly
DIY product with a detailed 24 page
service manual, and seven days a week technical support available from our qualified refrigeration technicians. This backed up by an complete range of spares at all times. We have massive stocks of spares, and always dispatch AusPost express same day worldwide except Sunday.
So if anyone has a better service back up plan, or more stock ON HAND to support these products, lets hear about it.
Cheers OzePete
Ozefridge | 12 Volt Refrigeration Systems