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jpwdesigns
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts
Initially Posted - 12/01/2019 :  16:58:35  Show Profile
So I wanted to be able to spend weekends or longer on the lake without all of my food getting soggy. I had seen others add portable 12 volt coolers and considered that option before deciding to build my own. Not super practical but the result looks beautiful.

Here's a link to an album with descriptions of what I did.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B3T9bAUUeaGJFGMR6

My goals were:
  • No more soggy food
  • keep condiments and beer cold while I'm away
  • Improve resale value of boat


So far it seems to be a very efficient compressor/condenser but will have to wait for summer to see how it holds up here in Texas. I have 200 Watts of solar and currently one 100ah group 31 agm battery but plan to change that to have at least 200 amp hours.

250 WK #597
Edited by - jpwdesigns on 12/01/2019 17:06:48

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts
Response Posted - 12/01/2019 :  17:53:17  Show Profile
WOW ... 'NICE work!
Buzz Maring

~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
Lake Dallas, TX
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jpwdesigns
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts
Response Posted - 12/01/2019 :  18:15:55  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Buzz Maring

WOW ... 'NICE work!


Thanks Buzz!
250 WK #597
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5358 Posts
Response Posted - 12/01/2019 :  22:23:05  Show Profile
Jeremy, welcome to the Forum. Great looking cooler.
It was smart to keep the enclosure small to maximize the coldness while minimizing power requirements. What volume of cubic inches is your compressor rated for?
The duty cycle of running time of the compressor will help to conserve power. More off time is better than run time.
A key strategy beyond power budget and cooling capacity is thermal insulation.
What kind of insulation materials did you use? What is the insulation value of the entire “envelope”? Especially in Texas where direct solar and ambient heating will be extremely powerful, the more insulation, the better.
It would be interesting to look at the theoretical performance versus actual.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 12/01/2019 22:30:22
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts
Response Posted - 12/02/2019 :  06:34:34  Show Profile
That is a work of art and I'm impressed. I hope it exceeds your expectations!
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts
Response Posted - 12/02/2019 :  10:49:19  Show Profile


Beautiful work. It will enhance the quality of time aboard besides the looks and functionality
Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)
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jpwdesigns
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts
Response Posted - 12/02/2019 :  11:13:50  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

Jeremy, welcome to the Forum. Great looking cooler.
It was smart to keep the enclosure small to maximize the coldness while minimizing power requirements. What volume of cubic inches is your compressor rated for?
The duty cycle of running time of the compressor will help to conserve power. More off time is better than run time.
A key strategy beyond power budget and cooling capacity is thermal insulation.
What kind of insulation materials did you use? What is the insulation value of the entire “envelope”? Especially in Texas where direct solar and ambient heating will be extremely powerful, the more insulation, the better.
It would be interesting to look at the theoretical performance versus actual.


Thanks Voyager! I've been lurking here for a year or more but this is my first post!

The compressor/condenser combo is rated for up to 4.4 cubic feet. I need to remeasure the completed box but I think I'm sitting somewhere between 2.5-2.8 cubic feet of interior space. This is the unit I have:

https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2276179|2276204|2276226|2530801&id=5573508

I'm using the 2" pink rigid foam from Home Depot rated at r10. I wanted to get more foam in there but without cutting out some of the liner behind the cooler compartment I couldn't do it without sacrificing more usable interior space. I wanted to be able to completely remove the cooler if I needed to / or future owner wanted to ditch the fridge etc... and go back to stock.

Based on the manual from isotherm, with 2" of insulation and around 70L of volume I should be good with an environment temperature up to 43°C (118.4°F)

Also the unit can be used as a freezer as well by changing some toggles but with my setup the manual says I'd only be able to freeze if the outside temp was under 90F. I don't think I will do this though. Frozen beer cans exploding would suck.

It will be interesting to see how it holds up this summer for sure.
250 WK #597
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jpwdesigns
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
21 Posts
Response Posted - 12/02/2019 :  11:16:00  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by zeil



Beautiful work. It will enhance the quality of time aboard besides the looks and functionality




Thanks Zeil! I hope so!
250 WK #597
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jpwdesigns
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
21 Posts
Response Posted - 12/02/2019 :  11:17:05  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by islander

That is a work of art and I'm impressed. I hope it exceeds your expectations!


Much appreciated Islander!
250 WK #597
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.