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In an unrelated thread, chinook440 mentioned that he is running a "boat style" refrigerator. This is something I've been thinking about, so I asked if he would mind discussing it in a new thread. Hence starting this thread for the topic.
As background, propane refrigerators are generally not used on boats. Boats do use propane systems (cooking/heating), but since propane sinks, and since boats have bilges (so it cannot just drain away onto the ground), the guidelines for setting up propane systems aboard are fairly stringent, and refrigerators don't really fit in. So for eons, boats have had iceboxes. Typically very well insulated top opening boxes, wherein a section of galley counter is the lid.
But as solar/wind/generators have become more popular, and refrigerators have gotten more efficient, more and more boats have 12-volt refrigerators. Often the compressor is mounted remotely from the box, but not always. Some "huge" boats run household refrigerators and inverters, but what I would like to discuss are 12-volt refrigerators and the means to support their power use when off grid (although these refrigerators can typically also run on 110 when plugged in, of course there's not much to discuss about that).
From the other thread:
So, chinook440, I would like to hear more about your 12-volt, boat style refrigerator! Is it a remote compressor model or all one unit? How many cubic feet is it? Freezer? How do you generate the power for it? I would ideally like to have a unit with a separate freezer (door) that I could support mainly with solar panels (occasional generator use okay, but I don't want that to be an everyday given). Something larger than a dorm fridge for sure, but smaller than the RM 3663 would be fine. Maybe around 5 cubic feet?Blue~Go wrote:I think this would call for a new thread, but would you care to discuss your refrigerator mod? If so, I'd be glad to move this post to the new thread and carry on from there. I've been thinking of replacing my (huge!) Dometic RM3663 (3-way) refrigerator/freezer with a 12-volt boat type one (perhaps Vitrifrigo or Isotherm). Was looking at either a "normal" two-door style or perhaps a two-drawer unit. I'd *really* like to have a unit that is less deep (the RM 3663 juts out into the already narrow aisle), and although I've never minded a good propane system on a boat or in an RV (meaning, I'm not "scared" of it in principle), I'm not that fond of the propane refrigerators for various reasons.chinook440 wrote: I,m running a 12volt compressor boat style fridge so the vents previously used for the fridge i can use for the a/c.
For me, this would have to wait until after I have a better solar system installed, as I don't want to be too generator dependent. If we do go to a new thread, I'll have some questions for you about how you power yours.
Anyway, would like to hear anything you have to say about your system. Thanks!