Refrigerator Box insulation rebuild, Isotherm 2351

[MicHughV]

the trick is to learn to drink your rum and cokes warm.......invites to others to have a sundowner cocktail on your boat usually involves the dictum " bring some ice"....

[OzeLouie]

Originally Posted by alaskanviking

Louie, are or can your systems work on 24v?

Hi AV, Yes they are standard at 12VDC but can be supplied to power up from 12, 24 or 36VDC and 110 or 240 VAC with priority automatically to higher voltage present.

And @MicHughV wouldn't it be better to invite others over with 'I've got the ice, you bring the rum' (Or in Oz 'you bring the Bundy" )

Cheers OzeLouie

[Richard Kollmann]

Originally Posted by OzeLouie

Yes I agree, seldom are two systems the same and again this is why we don't supply retail outlets preferring to engage direct with users so we can ensure that the system supplied is the best fit, type and able to perform in the most extreme conditions likely. It's a one on one thing like you say.

This pic is me doing ''Heat load, Duty cycle and Power consumption' estimates ....
Cheers OzeLouie..

Attachment 251277

Louie, I read and keep copies all companies technical materials on ice box conversion refrigeration including, trouble shooting, typical repairs, technical tips and each of their different maintenance manuals. I also retain their distribution network's helpful documents handy in answering email requests even today for help. Of all the popular models check Frigoboat's US distributors customers web information or a couple of companies like Seafrost or Demedic's excellent combining of Adler Barbour and WAECO documentation. When I was in this business all my designs could be maintainable anywhere in the world as they used simple common components.

[akopac]

Hi folks
Wanted to give a brief update. System and box is still running at about 18-25 ampHrs a day with water temps at 75F and air at 67-94F. I still am using the 2” foam lid with no radiant barrier, but it does have an excellent double silicon seal purchased from homedepot. I have only defrosted once in 7-8 months now which gives some idea how good the lid seal is working. I think the exceptional performance can be attributed to a couple factors. Although the blue foam is rated at R 5 per inch, Nigel Calder tested it in his last boat mechanical book at R 6.86 per inch. Most of my side and bottom insulation is 6-7 inches thick… exceeding R40. I also was really careful with my construction staggering joints and using a radiant barrier with air gap.
I will be going into Mazatlan for 5 months for hurricane season where the regular water temperature will be 86F and humid air temps will be high 90s to +100F. This should be the acid test from Hell.
I will report back the results. :-)

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by CarlF

It's easy to keep fridge temperatures with 3-4" but freezer temperatures are much harder. I would consider 6" there.

Consider using some aerogel (R10) or vacuum panels (R40). To keep the cost reasonable you could just pick a few sides to maximize space in the fridge and use foam on the others walls

Aerogel can be bought on Ebay. Be sure to get the US made Aspen brand. Comes in 10MM sheets. Just cut with hand scissors (do outside and wear a mask as it's dusty), stack the layers and wrap and tape in plastic sheet.

Inexpensive vacuum panels can be bought off the shelf from Rparts. You don't need a perfect size fit. Fill in the empty areas with aerogel.
https://www.rparts.com/index.php?cPa...5psfb3aqppt966

I know late to the party but I would recommend cryogel z from pacor.

https://www.pacorinc.com/product/cryogel-z/

Basicly faced aerogel but with better R value.
Aerogel is approx R7 at 68°F and goes down with cold
Cryogel-z is R8.5 at 68°F and goes up with colder
Both are at the 10mm thickness.
Doing my icebox now looking at a minimum of 2 inches over most and 2.5 on bottom and outer hull side.

[akopac]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I know late to the party but I would recommend cryogel z from pacor.



https://www.pacorinc.com/product/cryogel-z/



Basicly faced aerogel but with better R value.

Aerogel is approx R7 at 68°F and goes down with cold

Cryogel-z is R8.5 at 68°F and goes up with colder

Both are at the 10mm thickness.

Doing my icebox now looking at a minimum of 2 inches over most and 2.5 on bottom and outer hull side.

I have some aerogel I might incorporate into the lid at some point. Right now with 400 W of solar my bats are on float by 10-11AM. It’s a done box. No complaints over here.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by akopac

I have some aerogel I might incorporate into the lid at some point.

How well insulated is the lid now ?
If insulated reasonably then I recomend the aerogel goes under or in the bottom .

[jordanbigel]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I know late to the party but I would recommend cryogel z from pacor.

https://www.pacorinc.com/product/cryogel-z/

Basicly faced aerogel but with better R value.
Aerogel is approx R7 at 68°F and goes down with cold
Cryogel-z is R8.5 at 68°F and goes up with colder
Both are at the 10mm thickness.
Doing my icebox now looking at a minimum of 2 inches over most and 2.5 on bottom and outer hull side.

I have some questions about this - I'm just starting to dig into the insulation question for my new box, which I'll be working on this summer - when you say R8.5 does that mean per inch, or per-10mm sheet?

If it is R8.5 per inch, then you need 4.7" to reach R40, yet you said you were planning on only 2". So I must be wrong and its R8.5 per 10mm in which case your 2" would be 5 layers of 10mm sheet or R42.5.

I read a lot about this a year or two ago, but never did my own reefer box. I'm a little fuzzy, but I always thought R values were per inch. I think this stuff is really R21, if you are using R-value like the rest of the insulation products I've read about.

Thanks for your patience with this amateur question...

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by jordanbigel

I have some questions about this - I'm just starting to dig into the insulation question for my new box, which I'll be working on this summer - when you say R8.5 does that mean per inch, or per-10mm sheet?

If it is R8.5 per inch, then you need 4.7" to reach R40, yet you said you were planning on only 2". So I must be wrong and its R8.5 per 10mm in which case your 2" would be 5 layers of 10mm sheet or R42.5.

I read a lot about this a year or two ago, but never did my own reefer box. I'm a little fuzzy, but I always thought R values were per inch. I think this stuff is really R21, if you are using R-value like the rest of the insulation products I've read about.

Thanks for your patience with this amateur question...

As to the cryogel-z the R8.5 is per 10mm layer.
I purchased a partial roll from another cruiser . It's better to get it that way and cut to fit for your install.

All sides of my box are allowing me to place between 4 and 5 layers with 6 on the bottom and hull side of the box .
Installing a cool blue holding plate system .
Will be chronicling the refit on my boats refit page .
Just started but will do most of the insulating next week if I don't have to work.

[jordanbigel]

Originally Posted by newhaul

As to the cryogel-z the R8.5 is per 10mm layer.
All sides of my box are allowing me to place between 4 and 5 layers with 6 on the bottom and hull side of the box .
Installing a cool blue holding plate system .
Will be chronicling the refit on my boats refit page .
Just started but will do most of the insulating next week if I don't have to work.

Look forward to seeing more! I have also decided on the cool blue system, so especially interested.

Also curious the cost of the cryogel-z in total, if you feel like sharing that, when you are done. Thanks!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by jordanbigel

Look forward to seeing more! I have also decided on the cool blue system, so especially interested.

Also curious the cost of the cryogel-z in total, if you feel like sharing that, when you are done. Thanks!

A 15 ft roll is just shy of 700 bucks 57 inches wide by 15 foot long .

If I recall correctly from 3 years ago I gave 250 for what I have I haven't measured the length but estimate 10 ft worth .

Craigslist can be your friend

[jordanbigel]

Originally Posted by newhaul

A 15 ft roll is just shy of 700 bucks 57 inches wide by 15 foot long .

If I recall correctly from 3 years ago I gave 250 for what I have I haven't measured the length but estimate 10 ft worth .

Craigslist can be your friend

For my massive box, I think I would need double that. I am considering going with a combination of 3" pink foam (R18) + 30mm cryogel (R 25.5) for a total of appx. R43. Still in planning stages, so your info is very timely and useful! Thanks.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by jordanbigel

For my massive box, I think I would need double that. I am considering going with a combination of 3" pink foam (R18) + 30mm cryogel (R 25.5) for a total of appx. R43. Still in planning stages, so your info is very timely and useful! Thanks.

They do have a 45 ft roll for 2 grand.
Find another cruiser in your area that will split the cost

[akopac]

Originally Posted by newhaul

How well insulated is the lid now ?

If insulated reasonably then I recomend the aerogel goes under or in the bottom .

I’m done with my box. I’m just reporting real world results over time and location occasionally. :-)

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by akopac

Right now with 400 W of solar my bats are on float by 10-11AM. It’s a done box. No complaints over here.

I hope you are running LFPs otherwise you are not fully recharged by 1pm let alone 10 am .