What's the best modern freezer unit?

[Richard Kollmann]

Jolly Rodger, Ice box conversions rarely produce good freezers. Old 3 inch insulation in lower Latitudes is not going to produce good results. Based on information you provided I would recommend an ENGEL 45 QT portable unit as a true zero degree F freezer and by resetting thermostat it can be operated also as a refrigerator. It runs on 110 volt and 12 volts with true energy efficiency.

Many boaters have asked the same question you have and went with this type portable solution. Try posting again asking for experience with these portables as freezers to supplement existing refrigerators.

[CLady]

Cruisers I have met in tropical places that I've sailed to who have successfully insulated their refers/freezers made sure that they had 4 to 6 inches of insulation all around their units. I drilled holes every 5" into the walls of my refer unit to squirt in foam insulation. In addition, to make sure my solar panels could keep up with the refer and autopilot demand going to/from Hawaii, I cut closed cell foam like what backpackers use to sleep on, in pices that pressure fit into place inside the refer unit and the underside of the refer unit top. The Adler Barber unit provided a continuous supply of ice cubes and kept the extra MahiMahi frozen rock hard.

[a64pilot]

Anybody know anything about the Whynter brand of portable?

[thisdudeisnotin]

Hello has anyone considered a Sundanzer 12 volt freezer? A lot of the stuff they use in off grid set-ups have 6 inches of insulation and many run on 12 volt/ 120 ac. Sundanzer 12 volt 5.8 cubic foot uses 36.7 amp hour a day at 90 degrees f. or the SunFrost are efficient also. They both use a 12/24 volt sealed motor brushless DANFOSS compressor. I found this info at the Backwoods Home web site. Issue 102 Nov.-Dec. 2006 author Jeffrey Yago

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by thisdudeisnotin

Hello has anyone considered a Sundanzer 12 volt freezer? A lot of the stuff they use in off grid set-ups have 6 inches of insulation and many run on 12 volt/ 120 ac. Sundanzer 12 volt 5.8 cubic foot uses 36.7 amp hour a day at 90 degrees f. or the SunFrost are efficient also. They both use a 12/24 volt sealed motor brushless DANFOSS compressor. I found this info at the Backwoods Home web site. Issue 102 Nov.-Dec. 2006 author Jeffrey Yago

Looks like the same technology and main components as an Engel but for more money. Also they get several negative reviews on Amazon for frequent failures and poor customer service.
Amazon.com: Sundanzer Solar-Powered Refrigerator - 5.8 Cubic Ft., 30in.L x 40in.W x 37in.H: Operated Freezer: Kitchen & Dining

If you want a high quality, portable fridge/freezer why not stick with a proven brand?

[crazyoldboatguy]

Engel offers a 40QT freezer which may work out for me if I double up on them. The remote compressor option looks intrigueing.

[s/v Beth]

Its funny COBG- I am looking at the same one: two to drop in on my boat, one for a freezer, the other for a frig. Anyone have any experience with them?

[crazyoldboatguy]

Newt, Kollmann recommended them and they appear to have a decent reputation so I would be inclined. The only problem is they are a bit small for what I had in mind. The insulation is only 4.3" which would not be sufficient for freezing - maybe I could augment with extra stuff but then we are getting back to a custom construction. Thinking and thinking.

[Terra Nova]

Most of the cost of building a reefer/freezer box is labor. If you have the time and patience to do it, yourself, you'll wind up with a much better box than a portable.

[crazyoldboatguy]

With the exception of the lid, I would agree completely. Getting a good seal on that will be a challenge. Mine will be top loading. Would love to buy a ready made lid which I would modify with more insulation. I would insulate to 6" in any event.

[ErikFinn]

In my opinion, consider the freezer ONLY if you are absolutely sure you need it. With 15cm/6inch insulation (what I have) all around it takes a considerable chunk of space away from your boat. Then there is the power requirements; you still need a fridge, so unless you want to be running the generator very very often you will have issues running both. I don't believe your wind mill can help enough, you would need a good source of solar. And at night time even the solar won't help you.

Have a look at this Waeco PDF and study it to get a general idea what you would need:

WAECO ColdMachine Series 80 & 90

And yes, I would not consider water cooling either because of the added complexity and reduced reliability, as I am KISS man...

Cheers,
Erik

[crazyoldboatguy]

There are a variety of ways to secure the R 30 needed for optimal insulation that can reduce the inches needed. Costly but possible to get down to 3" (aerogel or VIPs). Not counting on wind alone in any event.

Doesn't the 6" insulation you have take up space?

[ErikFinn]

Originally Posted by crazyoldboatguy

There are a variety of ways to secure the R 30 needed for optimal insulation that can reduce the inches needed. Costly but possible to get down to 3" (aerogel or VIPs). Not counting on wind alone in any event.

Doesn't the 6" insulation you have take up space?

Yes it takes a lot of space, it's a 200 liter freezer and 6" all around it. Too much in my opinion, space wise.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, thisdudeisnotin.

[crazyoldboatguy]

Originally Posted by ErikFinn

Yes it takes a lot of space, it's a 200 liter freezer and 6" all around it. Too much in my opinion, space wise.

That's a big freezer even without the insulation. You fish a lot, right?