Isotherm Refrigerators

[schoonerdog]

looking at Isotherm refrigerators and wondering how people liked theirs, especially if cruising in the tropics. Basically I'm wondering if I should spent twice the money for a frigaboat.

[Vasco]

I have neither but have heard good things about Isotherm and not so good things about Frigoboat. Think there was a thread in this forum on poor service from Frigoboat.

[Intentional Drifter]

Schoonerdog --

You might also want to check out: Sunfrost Refrigerator Models

Not cheap, but quality never is. They will custom build to your specs, if they don't have a model available in your needed dimensions. Very thick insulation.

ID

[Auspicious]

I have Isotherm SP for a refrigerator and separate freezer. I'm in Annapolis and very happy with the cooling and energy consumption.

[windthief]

Being in San Diego we are close to the tropics 8 months out of the year. In addition our fridge is outside between the cockpit seats, about 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and deep enough to hold a half gallon of milk standing up. Insulation is 3 1/2 inches thick all the way around. Our bimini is not up yet so we keep a piece of carpet over it and maintain 41 degrees. The running time with our mid sized evaporator plate and fridge mostly full is about three times in an hour for about 4 min each time. Every time it kicks in the draw is 4.5 - 5.5 amps.

[schoonerdog]

Thanks guys for the input. Going to the boat show to look at the different models, basically the 130 model of each. ID, sent an email over to sunfrost, they also look like good boxes.

[Sunspot Baby]

We have the Cruise 190 fridge and Cruise 90 freezer. Love them both. Recently lost the compressor on the fridge from lightning strike. Indel Marine (Isotherm) was quick to sell direct and ship a new unit.

Easy folks with which to deal.

George

[mbu745]

Hello, I have a Danfoss BD50, is there a recomendation, or limitation, on the evaporator plate. Regareds. mbu745

[Richard Kollmann]

First the size of icebox to be converted to refrigeration and box temperature desired for the worst case cruising climate will determine evaporator size. In most cases when purchasing aluminum roll bond evaporators the correct expansion capillary tube will be a part of evaporator. Once an evaporator is selected the correct capacity compressor can be matched to it, this is important if daily energy efficiency is important. In my 12/24 volt refrigeration manual I recommend that Danfoss BD 50 variable speed compressor can be match to roll bond evaporators having a surface area of 125 sq in to 505 sq inches.

[Pelagic]

The Isotherm Cooler/Freezer chests are great!



I have 2 stacked on top of one another in the pilothouse, where the lower is the Freezer (Pulls out like a drawer) and the top is the drinks fridge.



Drinks are ice cold and stand alone units are well insulated and quiet



Attractive and very convenient to the cockpit and also galley.

[irwinsailor]

I converted out chest ref/ freezer unit using a isotherm last year and it does everything that they said. I like it.

[Badsanta]

I like this one on e-bay, 47L EVAKOOL Fibreglass Fridge RFE47-FF car portable 12v

ALL SIZES AVAILABLE IN THE STORE 5 YR WARRANTY AUS MADEItem number: 330285946184

[Cptjohn1]

I'm thinking of installing an Isotherm SP unit on my Tartan here in SW Florida. Is there anyone down here in the lower latitudes using an Isotherm SP unit. How is it working?

Thanks,
John Amalfitano
Punta Gorda FL

[mbu745]

Hello CptJohn1, I'm busy to build myself a fridge box with vacuum panels. We're most of the time in tropics where water- and air temperatures are high. I gone use an evaporator plate and a Danfoss 35 compressor. Now I have a problem, what type of cooling system is the most economical. For most systems there are pro- and contra. Do you have more information on those items. Can you please keep me informet what you find out. Regards. Willy

[witzgall]

We have had an Isotherm water cooled, ASU holding plate system for a few months now. It works great, but it is clear that our iceboox insulation is lacking. Installation was easy. The unit we got was the 4203 freezer unit. It uses ~4a when on low, 6a when on high.

We already had the intake and discharge installed. If I did not already have them, I would have installed a evaporator unit instead.

Chris