What off-the-shelf refrigerator are you using?

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I guess so. Probably is the way I am going to have to do it. There were so many people using regular refrigerators on Catamarans and even on monohulls in recent years on these threads that I figured somebody just had one they liked. And I would just order it.

You might be able to do that same shopping virtually from any big appliance retailer that gives enough info (including dimensions) on their website. Find one with a good looking efficiency sticker, appropriate dimensions, etc. and click the "buy" button.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

You might be able to do that same shopping virtually from any big appliance retailer that gives enough info (including dimensions) on their website. Find one with a good looking efficiency sticker, appropriate dimensions, etc. and click the "buy" button.

Basically that’s exactly where I am at this point. I found a couple. They are more like dorm fridge size. It’s unfortunate. 4.4. 4.7 cuft. But, I guess I will make do. The deep chest freezer holds most of the stuff anyway.

Refrigerator is pretty much for milk, vegetables, fruit and a few condiments.

Everything else can live in the freezer.

[Cthoops]

We have had an Engel for 3 years now full-time. Low power consumption, no problems with it.

[smj]

What about an upright freezer?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insigni...?skuId=6346184

A friend installed a chest 110v freezer then put an in-line thermostat that would shut of the freezer at refrigerator temps. Maybe something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Therm...a-849596262669
He thought the freezer had better insulation than a standard refrigerator.

[smj]

Maybe something a little larger

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Samsung-...74SA/314024339

[Stu Jackson]

Chotu, every time I hear "refrigeration" I think of this wonderful contribution to boating:


Sailorchic34's New Dorm Fridge - inverter driven dorm fridge
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ge-180007.html

[MicHughV]

You might want to try the travel camper industry.
They provide all manner of small 110v fridges for the camper market.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Chotu, every time I hear "refrigeration" I think of this wonderful contribution to boating:


Sailorchic34's New Dorm Fridge - inverter driven dorm fridge
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ge-180007.html

That’s her!!!


Thank you. Sailorchic34. She did the dorm fridge quite well.

Wish she stuck around. Great posts.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by smj

What about an upright freezer?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insigni...?skuId=6346184

A friend installed a chest 110v freezer then put an in-line thermostat that would shut of the freezer at refrigerator temps. Maybe something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Therm...a-849596262669
He thought the freezer had better insulation than a standard refrigerator.

Holy cow, that’s brilliant!!!

This is a great idea. You get all the thermal efficiency of a freezer thanks to freezer level insulation, but run it at low power refrigerator temps.

This has to be the least expensive, most roomy and most efficient solution.

Thank for posting this one. I’m going to look into it right away.

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Holy cow, that’s brilliant!!!

This is a great idea. You get all the thermal efficiency of a freezer thanks to freezer level insulation, but run it at low power refrigerator temps.

This has to be the least expensive, most roomy and most efficient solution.

Thank for posting this one. I’m going to look into it right away.

To make a valid comparison you need to look at the properties of the different refrigerants which may be used in freezers at the temperature range it will operate as a refrigerator.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

To make a valid comparison you need to look at the properties of the different refrigerants which may be used in freezers at the temperature range it will operate as a refrigerator.

OK, my knowledge of refrigeration is spotty.

But when I have worked on refrigerators before that were a bit more standard types on boats, it was always R134A.

It didn’t matter if it was the refrigerator or the freezer. The expansion valve was working the same way for both. And use the same refrigerant.

Is this not the case for the home units?

Of course, these were holding plate systems that I was working on. So, technically maybe they were acting as freezers? Because they were freezing the eutectic solution in the cold plates?

And given that it may not operate at refrigerator temperature, but only at some freezer temperature, is that actually a problem? Because it would be cycling. So it would cool down quickly, then turn off. Is that a problem?

[MicHughV]

You may laugh...but the first few years of my cruising life, I was entirely dependent on ice for my refrigeration needs.
With care, I could squeeze two weeks out of my old icebox.

In later years, I upgraded to a 12v volt system. This allowed for a small freezer unit in the icebox. I never froze food in there, but would freeze bottles of water into ice, thus the entire freezer unit became my "block of ice". This way I needed to run my engine only long enough to make ice, after which I shut it off. This worked quite well for me, as I was, at the time, without solar panels, wind chargers, etc. I'd get several days out of my "block ice", before having to refreeze it.

Your typical stand up fridge will likely only have 1 1/2" of insulation, whereas my ice box had 6".
I get that you have ample solar panels, etc, but nothing beats a well insulated box.
Were I to install an off the shelf mini-fridge, I would endeavor to place it inside an " insulated" cavity, leaving only some air space for the"machinery at the back of the unit.

Prior to penning this response, I went online, and was surprised to read many different solutions to keeping your beer cold, so it's worth it to spend some time online to digest the countless ways to deal with it.

[mvweebles]

I have purchased two different Summit fridge/freezers, both 24" wide for rental units. One is under counter - approx 4.5. The other is 66" tall and about 10cf. I don't recall the exact prices but were mid-grade. Sometimes smaller costs more. Probably in the $700 range. Purchased both from AJ Madison. They have a good sort function on their website. They have held up well to rental usage. I cannot speak to energy efficiency but would expect most moderate quality to be approx same, though newer inverter motor ones are likely better.

[s/v Jedi]

Whatever you do, stay away from those RV fridges that run on electric and on propane. They are sure to burn your boat down, even on electric. Added to that, they don’t cool.

[smj]

I don’t recall exactly but I believe his large 110v chest freezer run as a refrigerator had a dc draw of about 1.5 amps per hour. I also recall the recommendation to check the energy star rating before purchase.
I believe he changed out the thermostat in the freezer to one that could cool to refrigerator temps, the Amazon 110v thermostat was my idea and may not be as efficient.