Insulating refer

[Randygh]

The 12v refer in the boat works well, but when ambient temp is hot, the compressor is running very frequently. I really draws down the house batteries very quickly. I've thought it would be worthwhile to wrap the entire unit with additional insulation. I don't think the door is very well insulated and I was wondering if it is possible to add fiberglass insulation in the door or use spray foam insulation that is meant to use around pipes and open spaces in walls? I've used the spray foam and it works great, but does expand significantly and I'm afraid it would ruin the door due to expansion. Any thoughts regarding increasing the insulation?

[Fred P]

Randy

There are I think three levels of the greatstuff. The normal one, then one that expands with less power to use around window and other thinks may bend or brake and one that is to be used where you want it to really seal with more power. I think that there is another brand that expands with less power also. For a fun trip go to home D and read the foam cans. Thinking about my boat refer, There is not much to keep the cold in or the warm out. I bet a sheet of the pink foam and a can or two of foam would keep the drinks cold with less bat drain.

Fred P

[Go Aweigh2452]

I think it is really a sign that your compressor is about to bite the dust... Easy to insulate the top and sides but don't do the back... any kind of insulation is fine... even wall fiberglass would work... you can get a thin silver blanket at Home depot that would do the job...

When it comes time to... I'd recommend Isotherm units... VERY quiet, very cold and extremeyl efficient... only comes in 12v...

I bought mine from White Water in Brunswick ME... info below on Isotherm vs classic cooling

http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/refrigeration/asucompare.html

[Randygh]

Doug--Did you build your refer with the foam panels, and purchase the compressor and chilling plate separately? Or did you buy it as one unit that fit in the spot where the old refer was removed?

They look like very good units, put are quite pricey.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I bought the unit on ebay CR45 I believe. It was not that expensive... less than $500.

http://curtisnjrotc.com/goaweigh/goaweighpix/refernew.jpg

[Randygh]

Are Waeco refrigerators any good? How do they compare with Isotherms? I found a Waeco for the same price as the CR 65 on truckfridge.com, but the Waeco is 12v or 120v. Same size too.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well, as long as the Waeco has the danfoss compressor, you should be good to go. I believe some Waeco models don't have the danfoss...

Don't understand why you need 12/110/240 v however vs 12 v.

Sounds like more electronic stuff to go bad over time...

[Randygh]

Yes, it does have the Danfoss compressor. It is on eBay and comes with the dual voltage option. If I purchase an isotherm, it will be strictly 12 v. It looks like a well built unit, but looks can be deceiving.

[Go Aweigh2452]

One other thing to consider (saw it on BOC). A shore power surge will take out your 110v side of your refrig making it useless.... Of course power surges are never a problem at a marina??? (note the sarcasm)...

[Nehalennia]

............. I really draws down the house batteries very quickly.............
Since I'll be a rookie on the Fridge, can you tell me how long is quickly?

Also, I know that if the fridge is processing hot air with poor circulation, the compressor will have to work harder to cool the air.

How well is your fridge ventilated and will adding more insulation keep more heat and less ventilation?

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well, I went several days on one house battery when I thought I was plugged into my house... and was not... that was with the Isotherm... Nevercold wouldn't last two days...

[Randygh]

I pulled my Nevercold last weekend. There is ample air circulation laterally and vertically. There are times when we boat at Lake Chelan and the temperature will be 70-100 degrees. When the ambient temps are in the 80's or 90's, the refer would draw down a house battery in 24 hrs.

We've also been in the San Juans when it has been downright hot. Several summers ago we were at Blakely Island Marine and the temp was in the 80's. Fortunately it cooled down at night.

After I pulled the refer, I noted the bottom door seal wasn't even closing the space between the door and the face of the refer. When in the boat, I couldn't tell because the refer was close to the floor. The face of the refer was also pitted from rust.

I looked closer at the Waeco and I noted it only had one shelf in the door. The Cruise 65 has two shelves so I think I'll get the Cruise 65 by Isotherm.

[Nehalennia]

did the Truckfridge guys come alive and allow you to buy one?

[Randygh]

I'm going to wait a few weeks before I order one.

[Friendship II]

I had a Norcold refrigerator in my boat when I bought the boat 4+ years ago. When the compressor ran, it shook the whole boat (or at least the galley). It never did freeze ice or keep frozen goods frozen. I looked into a replacement Norcold at West Marine, and their website feedback from Norcold buyers was highly negative. You cannot replace the compressor on the Norcold--you have to replace the entire unit.
For an extra $200 for the size of the Norcold I had (when it eventually failed last Spring) I bought a Nova Kool from Boat Electric on Lake Union in Seattle. All of the parts are replaceable, and the freezer actually freezes ice! It may cost a bit more for a quality product, but Nova Kool beats out Norcold a hundred fold in performance and maintenance.
Jennie

[Nehalennia]

same size?

[Randygh]

I called Fisheries and asked for a price quote for a boat show special for a new Isotherm Cruise 65. The best price was $755.00, 12vdc, not ASU.

[Friendship II]

Nova Kool makes refers that fit Norcold dimensions.

[Randygh]

Has anyone had any experience with a Vitrifrigo refrigerator? It looks like they are European made. Do they have a Danfoss compressor? Are they as good as an Isotherm refrigerator? I couldn't find any reviews of the refrigerators.

[Nehalennia]

Has anyone had any experience with a Vitrifrigo refrigerator? It looks like they are European made. Do they have a Danfoss compressor? Are they as good as an Isotherm refrigerator? I couldn't find any reviews of the refrigerators.

Whatever happened with the truckfridge guys?

[Randygh]

I'm lurking!!!

[oh_wells]

If you mention to Fisheries that you are a member of the Quartermaster Yacht Club, you can get up to 40% off. My MIL is the Commodore there and told me that it was ok to use their discount. It just helps them get better discounts.

[Randygh]

I just purchased a new Vitrifrigo refrigerator from an eBay vendor. It's made in Italy and has a Danfoss compressor. Stainless steel door and trim frame. (A dealer on the BOC site said he sells them along with Norcold, Isotherm and Waeco and he said they are a very good quality refer.) So, I've been watching the refer for the last week and jumped in at the last minute. There were 4 other folks who wanted it and the price went form $228 to $483 in less than 2 minutes. Shipping is $56.00. The best Fisheries could do for a boat show special on an Isotherm was $755.00. I wanted to purchase a refer that is built for marine usage with a Danfoss compressor, and I think I got a good deal.

Oh_Wells--I'm alittle hesitant to use someone's discount (Quartermast Yacht Club). I'd feel real stupid if some salesmen asked about the club and I didn't have the slightest clue about what he was talking. Forty percent discount is a heck of a good deal though for the clubmembers. Thanks for the offer.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Wow, pays to shop around... nice buy Randy... Is it 12 v only or combined 12/120? Same size as before?

[Nehalennia]

Wow, pays to shop around... nice buy Randy... Is it 12 v only or combined 12/120? Same size as before?

Yeah, and did you get it for $483.00. If so, that's great.

[Randygh]

Yep, got it for $483 + shipping. It is the same size as an Isotherm Cruise 65 and according to the vendor it is 12v and 120v. One thing I like about it is the stainless steel door front and the top shelf in the door is movable, up or down. It'll fit in the Nevercold's cutout without any modification.

[Randygh]

I contacted Sure Marine in Ballard to get a boat show price quote for the same refer I purchased. The boat show special is $715.00 with local pickup. Freight or a trip to pick it up would be $50.00 so I feel I did well on eBay. I've saved hundreds of dollars purchasing items (radar, inflatable, Nissan engine, teak) on eBay. Never had a bad deal or difficult transaction.

[Randygh]

Just got the new Vitrifrigo refrigerator. It is wired for 12v dc or 110v ac. I like the idea of the door latching, adjustable racks in door and main box, fan next to the evaporation coils and stainless steel front. Several times while in rough water the old Nevercold magnetic door opened resulting is a mess and a frown from the Admiral.

[Nehalennia]

Looks very nice.
Ok, now let's see the install pics

[Go Aweigh2452]

I suppose next install, replacements will be a stainless steel head? :argh2

OK, looks great... nice purchase and great price... You'll be very surprised how quiet the danforth is...

[3788sam]

Randy,
Glad you found one for the right price that's going to work for. There' will be some real frig envy on Chelan and around the sound this year.

[Randygh]

It works!!!! I need to enlarge the opening in the cupboard by 1/2" in width. Fortunately there is plenty of room to make the cut. The refer trim is alittle larger than the old Nevercold so I need to move a cupboard door and excise width off the door. I'll do that tomorrow night. The compressor is absolutely silent. The only noise is made by the fan that blows through the condensor coil. The fan looks like a CPU large fan.

[Nehalennia]

Pics Brother PICS!
Some of us don't have anything better to do than bug Mike for Graphics that can't be installed in this cold and look at Winter mods from guys on frozen lakes, since our Friggin' boats are getting fixed.
Sorry, I feel better now......

[Randygh]

Installation is complete. I had to cut the width of the cupboard door to the right of the refer by 1/2". The refer's stainless steel finish ties in nicely with the stainless steel trim around the stove.

Notice the steps into the cabin from the cockpit. The space behind the steps was wasted, so I made a small door with a rope "knob". I store pop, the wife's phu-phu coffee, & bottled water there. Very handy & out of the way. If you look next to the stove on the wall with the metal heat shield, you'll see a switch and above it the red indicator light. The switch is for my electric solenoid value on the propane tank. The red light is really handy to see from the berth. Several times we've hit the sack and noticed the red indicator light. Oops, forgot to shut off the propane before hitting the sack.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Looks great Randy, you should try it out on a long voyage sometime this summer... :cool:

I got my 10 ft of hot air ducting, a "Y" connector and rotating heat register today... Time is coming up to set up the ADM's chair for warm air... :cool:

[Nehalennia]

Randy,

Thanks, that looks very nice.

Doug,
What type of heater did you buy, hydronic or electric?

[Go Aweigh2452]

Doug,
What type of heater did you buy, hydronic or electric?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Its a hydronic and all I am doing is adding to it. I have to figure out where to cut through the cabin bulkhead to the engine room (the hydronic heater is in the dinette under the seat) without cutting any wires or hoses and also sealing around the air vent to prevent CO from coming into the cabin... I have a "Y" adapter to run from the heater to the pax seat and a vent register. Probably tackle that Sunday or Saturday before the caucus...