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Refrigerator Recommendations?

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Cate
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199 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2006 : 09:07:07

We are looking for a compact refrigerator for "Mysterious". I have been browsing online and see that most of the compacts require 115 volt power source. Our shore power is 110 volts. We don't want to pay extra $$ for a "marine" refrig. If anyone has recommendations for an energy efficient compact refrig (1.7 cf) for our C-25s that would be great.

1983 C-25, Standard rig, swing keel

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 10:25:22

Would one of these fill your need?

http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/JSP.jump/itemType.CATEGORY/itemID.567/qx/12_Volt___Travel_Coolers.htm

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 12:31:38

110, 115, 120 are all the same. I buy my Haier where ever I find them, they are everywhere.

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 22:25:17

This is the mini retro fridge that was offered by office depot
(not sure if it is still a valid offer) here it is on e-bay.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-COOLER-WARMER-AC-DC-RETRO-MINI-FRIDGE-NEW_W0QQitemZ7614377569QQcategoryZ71261QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]e-bay[/url]

Paul

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2006 : 07:22:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 This is the mini retro fridge that was offered by office depot
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This unit looks like it uses a thermo-electric "kool-a-tron" process. While these use somewhat less power than a freon compressor, the have a lot less cooling power, with a minimum temp of only about 45ºF, so can not freeze foods. 45ºF is marginal for meat and dairy products, I would only use a kool-a-tron for non-perishables like beverages or other canned foods. I wish they would come out with a thermo-electric unit that can actually reach freezer temperature 0ºF, so one could bring ice cream and hard-freeze meats, but then the power draw would probably be too high for a small boat that has only an outboard motor and/or small solar panel to supply power.

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cat30
1st Mate

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73 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2006 : 15:24:39

Actually, i think the thermo-electric coolers will cool to 40 degrees below the outside air temperature- at 80* it cools to 40* and at 70* it will cool to 30*. but most units don't have a thermostat so if you don't pay attention- i think stuff will freeze. and they use about 5amps for cooling so watch you batteries.

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Cate
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Response Posted - 05/04/2006 : 15:54:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat30
 Actually, i think the thermo-electric coolers will cool to 40 degrees below the outside air temperature- at 80* it cools to 40* and at 70* it will cool to 30*. but most units don't have a thermostat so if you don't pay attention- i think stuff will freeze. and they use about 5amps for cooling so watch you batteries.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I was told by my fellow sailors to stay away from the thermo electric because they don't get cold enough in summer and use too much power. I'm looking at this little dude:
http://www.beveragefactory.com/refrigerators/compact/248y.shtml

They said a regular refrig does not use constant power but draws only when the compressor kicks in.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2006 : 17:51:46

This is like mine. It is at Walmart and a million other places. This is the max size for the v-berth.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2625036
You did not comment on my photo. Where do you intend to put yours? This gets to sleeping arrangements. The space in the v-berth is not missed at all, a single person still sleeps there as if the refrigerator were not there, the other person sleeps in the quarterberth, (which is the best bed in the boat).

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djn
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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2006 : 18:42:01

Hi Frank, does that fridge blow warm air into the vb? Cheers.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2006 : 19:36:03

The Haier uses its sides and top as radiators. No fan. There are times when it is putting out a fair amount of heat. (Nice when it is cool out)The price you pay for refrigeration and another reason why I have an air conditioned boat. Remember my AC in the quarterberth bulkhead? Boats are systems.

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Cate
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199 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 08:37:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 This is like mine. It is at Walmart and a million other places. This is the max size for the v-berth.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2625036
You did not comment on my photo. Where do you intend to put yours? This gets to sleeping arrangements.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Wow. Nice fridge and nice price. As much as I try not to shop at Walmart sometimes I just can't help it. I'll check it out this weekend. As far as fridge placement, we are thinking of putting it next to the starboard side couch on a small surface that used to be covered by the aft berth cushions. (not a great description, but I'll take a photo when it's done). The reason we are putting it there is because it is close to our inverter and provides secure points on three sides.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 09:29:36

I think it is unrealistic to use an inverter with it. If you allow a block of ice (contained of course) to fill the freezer it will keep things inside cold for a day. After that you really need shore power or dry ice.

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Cate
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199 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 09:56:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 I think it is unrealistic to use an inverter with it. If you allow a block of ice (contained of course) to fill the freezer it will keep things inside cold for a day. After that you really need shore power or dry ice. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmm. My sailing buddies told me the fridge doesn't draw constant power, only when the compressor turns on. I will have (2) Group 27 batteries available during our overnights. I will have to do my mathematical calculations for power usage. If it looks like our fridge will only work in docking we will take a regular cooler with a block of ice versus trying to stuff one into 1.8ft. of cubic space.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 10:11:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cate
 
...we will take a regular cooler with a block of ice versus trying to stuff one into 1.8ft. of cubic space.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I freeze water in plastic jugs and use them to refrigerate the cooler. Gradually it becomes cold drinking water.

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Cate
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199 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 10:17:28

[/quote]
I freeze water in plastic jugs and use them to refrigerate the cooler. Gradually it becomes cold drinking water.[/quote]

Dave, this is an old tried an true method I used when camping. Great suggestion. I guess in some ways we are camping out when we overnight in the boat ;)

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