I finally installed refrigeration

[rusty]

A couple of weeks ago we spent some quality time installing refrigeration in the boat. What a difference that makes!

We chose an Adler Barbor Cold Machine. Installation was very easy.

The hardest part was fabricating a bracket for the compressor. The rest was easy. We did find out the ice box was sorely lacking in insulation, though. The solution was to just add some spray in foam. That seemed to do the trick.

I'll be sure to add a review to the "Product Reviews" section shortly.

Here are a couple of pictures ...

The compressor in the bracket

http://www.nwboating.net/pics/r_bracket.jpg

The compressor mounted in the bracket inside the lazzerette.

http://www.nwboating.net/pics/r_compress.jpg

The chiller installed in the ice box.

http://www.nwboating.net/pics/r_chiller.jpg

Rusty

[rusty]

Well ... after living on the boat for a few straight weeks, I have discovered a few modifications that need to be made.

First, I need to vent he compressor so it draws cool air. The unit is mounted as far from the engine as possible, but is still inside the compartment heated by the engine.

Second, I REALLY need to add more insulation around the old ice box. Especially the top. We had a hard time keeping the cool air in.

Last (I hope), I need to put something around the evaporator. Any produce that touched it were destroyed. It is hard to organize things in the icebox in such a way that this won't happen.

Other than that, I must say refrigeration is MUCH better than using ice. Well worth the time and effort!

Rusty

[ctenning]

It seems like almost everything we eat nowadays comes out of the refrigerator. What a pleasure it is to have refrigeration aboard the boat. On the "Q E Too" we currently have a propane refrigerator and it works wonderfully. I just dread the day when it breaks down and I have to replace it. When that happens, I am seriously considering replacing it with a small conventional refrigerator and running off of an inverter. I am curious what kind of battery life you get running yours off the inverter.

Carl Tenning
"Q E Too"