Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 15-12-2019, 18:12   #1
Registered User
 
GILow's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,127
Where to put the fridge control panel?

Hi all,

My new refrigeration system has a remote control panel with temperature display and various switches.

Can’t decide if it should go somewhere near the fridge or maybe elsewhere in the galley or even at the main electrical panel.

Open to suggestions and the logic behind them.

Matt
__________________
Refitting… again.
GILow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2019, 18:20   #2
Registered User
 
Island Time O25's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,034
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

I'd put it in the spot most visible from where I spend most of the time in the cabin. Same for bilge pump counter, etc. So I can quickly see it at a glance.
Island Time O25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2019, 18:36   #3
Moderator
 
JPA Cate's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,438
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Switch panel. I like to have likes with likes: easy to learn and remember, the central place to check "all things". Simplifies wiring.

Or, right at the fridge, because it's where you'd be to monitor it.

Honestly, if I were feeling pressed for time, I'd want to put it the easiest place.

Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
JPA Cate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2019, 18:43   #4
Senior Cruiser
 
skipmac's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,306
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Since you have to run wiring from the fridge to the panel I placed mine where it was easy to run the wires and easily visible and accessible.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
skipmac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-12-2019, 01:55   #5
Registered User
 
GILow's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,127
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Hmmmm.... variations on a theme of where it is most visible/central...

Yep, that kinda sways it for me.

Thanks guys, I was thinking myself into circles with this one.
__________________
Refitting… again.
GILow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-12-2019, 02:17   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,181
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

I have one of these... https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/ass...VEC.E52260.jpg ...
That control head is above the fridge .. in the galley... next to the Espaker control...

Temps were set when fitted last year... now essentially just a temp display...
Main switch... at main switchboard...simples...
__________________
A little bit about Chile can be found here https://www.docdroid.net/bO63FbL/202...anchorages-pdf
El Pinguino is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 16-12-2019, 05:49   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by El Pinguino View Post
I have one of these... https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/ass...VEC.E52260.jpg ...
That control head is above the fridge .. in the galley... next to the Espaker control...

Temps were set when fitted last year... now essentially just a temp display...
Main switch... at main switchboard...simples...


I have one of those also, for the money they cost you can’t beat one, buy a spare they are so cheap why not, and I’ve validated its accuracy with an NIST calibrated Fluke, and it’s dead on.
I hid mine behind a cabinet door, so it’s hidden, but easily accessed.Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0167.jpg
Views:	122
Size:	75.1 KB
ID:	205176
Just above the door you can see a wireless temp display for the fridge and freezer, it’s wireless so no holes needed it’s mounted with Velcro, and it has alarm settings so if the fridge quits you’ll get an alarm hopefully before anything is ruined
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 00:33   #8
Registered User
 
GILow's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,127
Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot View Post
I have one of those also, for the money they cost you can’t beat one, buy a spare they are so cheap why not, and I’ve validated its accuracy with an NIST calibrated Fluke, and it’s dead on.
I hid mine behind a cabinet door, so it’s hidden, but easily accessed.Attachment 205176
Just above the door you can see a wireless temp display for the fridge and freezer, it’s wireless so no holes needed it’s mounted with Velcro, and it has alarm settings so if the fridge quits you’ll get an alarm hopefully before anything is ruined


Nice setup.

I’m doing something similar using the M5stack and a ds18b20 temperature probe, which, funnily enough, looks like the one in the picture.
__________________
Refitting… again.
GILow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 00:45   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,181
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot View Post
I have one of those also, for the money they cost you can’t beat one, buy a spare they are so cheap why not, and I’ve validated its accuracy with an NIST calibrated Fluke, and it’s dead on.
I hid mine behind a cabinet door, so it’s hidden, but easily accessed.Attachment 205176
Just above the door you can see a wireless temp display for the fridge and freezer, it’s wireless so no holes needed it’s mounted with Velcro, and it has alarm settings so if the fridge quits you’ll get an alarm hopefully before anything is ruined
Reason I have both it and the espaker control head on the after galley bulkhead is that bulkhead is also the frd 'garden shed' bulkhead and that's where all the machinery lives....
__________________
A little bit about Chile can be found here https://www.docdroid.net/bO63FbL/202...anchorages-pdf
El Pinguino is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 00:51   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,181
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Just noticed yours is different to mine... a Carel.. https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/dig...e-and-freezers
Not all that cheep.....
__________________
A little bit about Chile can be found here https://www.docdroid.net/bO63FbL/202...anchorages-pdf
El Pinguino is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 00:54   #11
cruiser

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Probably in an anchorage or a boatyard..
Boat: Ebbtide 33' steel cutter
Posts: 5,030
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GILow View Post
Nice setup.

I’m doing something similar using the M5stack and a ds18b20 temperature probe, which, funnily enough, looks like the one in the picture.
That's what i use after getting annoyed at the cost of a replacement thermostat

Actually an arduino but going over to esp32 soon to get it on signalk.

Nearly finished a board from jlcpcb.com c/w ammeter so just add an esp32 and sensors. To be added is more transistors so the compressor speed can be controlled with some resistors on the on/off switch. Jlcpcb solder all the surface mount components for you and are crazy cheap.

I'll stick it all up on github with the code when/if i get it up and running. Currently it's an arduino with a little screen and Bluetooth to change on/off temperature. Duty cycle is handy to see.
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?thr...-probs.393356/
Just add signalk for control and plotting of temperature /duty cycle/voltage/current
conachair is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 01:39   #12
Registered User
 
GILow's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,127
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by El Pinguino View Post
Just noticed yours is different to mine... a Carel.. https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/dig...e-and-freezers
Not all that cheep.....


Hell’s bells!
__________________
Refitting… again.
GILow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 01:41   #13
Registered User
 
GILow's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,127
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by conachair View Post
That's what i use after getting annoyed at the cost of a replacement thermostat

Actually an arduino but going over to esp32 soon to get it on signalk.

Nearly finished a board from jlcpcb.com c/w ammeter so just add an esp32 and sensors. To be added is more transistors so the compressor speed can be controlled with some resistors on the on/off switch. Jlcpcb solder all the surface mount components for you and are crazy cheap.

I'll stick it all up on github with the code when/if i get it up and running. Currently it's an arduino with a little screen and Bluetooth to change on/off temperature. Duty cycle is handy to see.
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?thr...-probs.393356/
Just add signalk for control and plotting of temperature /duty cycle/voltage/current


Hmmm... I really like the idea of tracking power consumption and duty cycle. I had not thought of that.

I’ve got some Hall Effect current sensors spare which will be perfect.

Added to the project list. [emoji106]
__________________
Refitting… again.
GILow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 02:00   #14
cruiser

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Probably in an anchorage or a boatyard..
Boat: Ebbtide 33' steel cutter
Posts: 5,030
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GILow View Post
Hmmm... I really like the idea of tracking power consumption and duty cycle. I had not thought of that.

I’ve got some Hall Effect current sensors spare which will be perfect.

Added to the project list. [emoji106]
Another benefit is being able to have a 'timer off' - so you don't forget to turn it back on again after receiving a weatherfax, very useful as I know from experience

The INA219 current/voltage sensor is ideal & only about £1.20 from jlcpcb, I2C so easy to set up. I'm changing over to micropython to program the ESP32's so getting to code onto the ESP is pretty easy.

JCLPCB only do minimum 5 boards so I could stick a spare board in the post for you if you want, should they ever get ordered and actually work..
conachair is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-12-2019, 04:43   #15
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
Re: Where to put the fridge control panel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by El Pinguino View Post
Just noticed yours is different to mine... a Carel.. https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/dig...e-and-freezers
Not all that cheep.....
You may not be pleased to find that identical unit is on Amazon for $14 and can be had for less than that on EBay, but Amazon Prime gets it to me fast and free shipping.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
control panel

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Replacing Dual Lever Control with Single Lever Control ? Alecadi Engines and Propulsion Systems 48 05-11-2019 16:01
valid sanitation control exemption control certificate dwedeking2 Training, Licensing & Certification 1 21-02-2017 10:04
For Sale: Seafire control module, remote display, control BobH260 General Classifieds (no boats) 0 28-08-2016 07:29
Fridge Temparature Control mbadem Cooking and Provisioning: Food & Drink 1 08-01-2010 09:20
Fridge Temperature Control mbadem Liveaboard's Forum 1 06-01-2010 13:03

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:34.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.