Separate Fridge and Freezer - Thoughts ?

[SV Demeter]

I need to rebuild my icebox as it is woefully under insulated and I had this plan to build a freezer that connected to the ice box via a spill over door and thus cool the two compartments with one compressor and evaporator. Now I am considering simply rebuilding the ice box and properly insulating it then using a U or L shaped evaporator and compressor and simply having a fridge, no freezer.

I was thinking further that I could purchase one of the smaller 13-15 quart Engel stand alone units like Engel MD14F Fridge/Freezer and use it as a freezer when I wanted. My thoughts on this route is that when cruising we often stay at anchor in places for several days if not weeks on end and these places often have access to fresh food so there is really no need to run a freezer all the time. Its really just when on passage or in areas with little access to provisions that the desire (not need) for a freezer comes into play. Also I doubt I could build a more efficient freezer than one of these engels. Im thinking if the tables are accurate one of these engels would pull 40-50 amps per day when in freezer mode, maybe more if in Deep Freeze mode.

Im hopeful that I can build a well insulated fridge in the 5-6 cubic foot range and cool it with an air or keel/air cooled Danfoss BD 50 or maybe 80 compressor using a U or L shaped thin plate evaporator in the tropics and get my amp hours below 60 in a 24 hour period for the fridge. I would like to get to 45-50 but Im not sure in the tropics with the wife, me, and 2 kids on board.

Thoughts?

[Boracay]

I'm planning on using two drop in portable fridge freezers.

Something like the Engel MR040F-U1 x 2.

They may fit into your boat, but you'd need to check. May need upgraded power supply and a fair bit of carpentry though...

The big advantage is they're a drop in solution with warranty etc.

The 14 quart model looks to be a bit on the small side.

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by Boracay

I'm planning on using two drop in portable fridge freezers.

Something like the Engel MR040F-U1 x 2.

They may fit into your boat, but you'd need to check. May need upgraded power supply and a fair bit of carpentry though...

The big advantage is they're a drop in solution with warranty etc.

The 14 quart model looks to be a bit on the small side.

For me the 14qt model offers a big enough freezer space. The 40 qt model you reference above when used as a freezer will run 100% of the time at 3amps in 35*c ambient air temps. If those figures are accurate thats over 70 amp hours every day for just the freezer. Im not that energy rich...

[Cookiesa]

This will sound odd but check out ARB 4x4 Accessories (available around the world) 4 different fridge sizes, controls are on the front so easy access when "built in" easily secured and also have voltage cut out to protect your battery bank from over discharge.

For those considering it you can generally run 2 portable fridges, one as a fridge and one as a freezer and achieve a lower average power consumption than for an equivalent "fridge/freezer" set up.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Just been on the Engel website - lusting over things I probably can't find space for.......

And saw this new (for 2011) drop in version:-

Engel MB40V-D Drop-In Fridge/Freezer



Also says "Compressor can be remotely mounted (MB40V-D)
Compressor can be moved to 3 locations below the unit (MB40V-DH)"

Mmmm........

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

I use my freezer almost exclusively for meat and butter and stock enough for 12 weeks. I wouldn't do without it. I mix up the meat packages when I put it in and then we just eat the next one in the pile so I don't have to keep the lid open very long.

[bstreep]

We have separate fridge and freezers on our boat. Our freezer alone is about 10 cubic feet. Admiral LOVES it.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Just been on the Engel website - lusting over things I probably can't find space for.......


.

I have the space....

$995 in the USA


Mmmmmmmmmmmm

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Just been on the Engel website - lusting over things I probably can't find space for.......

And saw this new (for 2011) drop in version:-

Engel MB40V-D Drop-In Fridge/Freezer



Also says "Compressor can be remotely mounted (MB40V-D)
Compressor can be moved to 3 locations below the unit (MB40V-DH)"

Mmmm........

Wow pretty impressive. Looks like on the middle setting at 30*C ambient air temp you would have a box temp of -10C and consume about 52 amp hours in a 24 hour period. SO maybe 2 85 watt panels would power this guy? $995 hmmm is right.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by SV Demeter

Looks like on the middle setting at 30*C ambient air temp you would have a box temp of -10C and consume about 52 amp hours in a 24 hour period. .

Lets be right on the diagram and its-12.2 deg C
But see the huge difference in the consumption for each degree further down?

So is a freezer a freezer at, say, -5 deg C?

Because that would then bring it a lot.

But what temp is Position 2? Is it a digital button or a knob so you could get Posn 2.5?

[SV Demeter]

I dont think its a rheostat type controller. I think it jsut clicks into the settings but am just guessing. As for freezing I guess it just depends on how much of a "Deep Freezer" you want. Probably need to get to -12.2c to be considered deep freeze.

My main application would be for passages or when cruising in places where fresh food is not available. When sitting at anchor in a place where food is easy to come by I would envision using it at the 0C setting, barely a freezer but only drawing what 10amp hours in a 24hr period?

[Patrick_DeepPlaya]

Unless the R-Value of the included insulation is significant, aren't you still going to have the same problem every poorly insulated refrigerator has...

They don't tell you the r-value on their website that I could find.

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Just been on the Engel website - lusting over things I probably can't find space for.......

And saw this new (for 2011) drop in version:-

Engel MB40V-D Drop-In Fridge/Freezer



Also says "Compressor can be remotely mounted (MB40V-D)
Compressor can be moved to 3 locations below the unit (MB40V-DH)"

Mmmm........

[s/v Jedi]

What I would love to see is a standard for dimensions of these drop-in units.

Insulation value is not a problem. If you want to use one in the tropics where you need better insulation, you just create that around the unit, as part of the frame you drop the unit in.

Custom build will always be better when done right and if you are handy enough to be a cruiser you can learn how to fix these systems quickly (need some tools though). But when all is said and done, I still wouldn't mind a standard sized frame with a couple of drop-in fridge/freezer spaces and shop for the units I like to put in.

Do not forget to look at the new drawer based systems... very spiff but every brand has different dimensions again. This photo is how Frigoboat puts drawers inside their regular boxes but there are pure drawer models from other brands...



ciao!
Nick.

[Cookiesa]

There is something to be said for standard units built in if ever you have to replace one.. especially when cruising.

Keeping in mind of course that you are genrally better off with a top opening unit if power consumption is of concern. Draw and front opening units generally drop the cool air when you open them each time.

[Cheechako]

The engel is very highly regarded and low draw for sure. I like those drawer units but when I looked they were super expensive... and just think of the heat intrusion when you open the drawer!