Refrigeration, Engel users, and others.....

[castawaysailor]

2.8 amps for 20 minutes out of the hour is 19.4 amp-hours per day.  It's interesting to me, from a philosophical perspective, how to many that's peanuts but to some that's a WHOPPING BIG amount of juice(*).

He, he, he,
My boat (same size as yours John) outfitted in "tricked-out cruising mode" can run this freezer for two weeks without charging (assuming 80% DOD and no other electricity usage). The only problem would be finding room for Engel.

I have a good place for it in the head; what man needs a head when at sea anyway.  No, I do not do the rail dangle; I use a bottle or a bucket when at sea.

Saw them at the boat show today, look real nice; think I will get one tomorrow (talking about the Engel, not the bucket).

[CapnK]

castaway -

Connie/"Pixie Dust" has an Engel - the 45 model IIRC - that I experienced for a weeks cruise earlier this year. I came away really impressed by it. I don't like complexity, and had been planning on going with only an icebox, but now plan instead to get an Engel. It seems simple enough, quiet and efficient, and lots of users claim loo-oong service lives.

My thinking is that there may be times when its freezing ability may come in very handy, besides just for sunset cocktails, that is... I have been learning how to fish for deepwater species with an eye towards using this knowledge to supplement my larder while at sea. A small freezer like the Engel will come in handy when I catch a 10# or larger fish (a not at all uncommon size out there, actually kind of small), I'll be able to use more of the fish by being able to keep it cold.

[Zen]

This has been informative. I'll look inot one myself.

where is Pixie Dust??

[Pixie Dust]

This has been informative. I'll look inot one myself.

where is Pixie Dust??

Here she is, here she is!!  She has been dragging her Pixie Behind all over Florida and trying to get to PD to work on her on weekends.   

I love my Engel. Kurt is right.  She has 5 settings.  If I put it on 2, things start to freeze and get icy.  5 is the freezer setting.  1 is adequate to keep things really cold.  It holds lots of stuff and uses very little energy.  I had a 105 amp house battery and my solar panel and in 1 long week, we did not have to start the engine once to charge batteries.  We also ran the stereo nonstop, lights, fans, etc.  I cannot recommend it enough.  One of my favorite gadgets!
I found the best price at Compac Appliances  online.  No shipping or sales tax either.  I figure with what I am saving in not buying bagged ice, I will have payed for it in a yr.
To impress Kurt with gadgets.... that is accomplishing something.   

[s/v Faith]

Refrigeration is not a neccessity for me.  I am a minimalist.  I use a cooler that runs off AC/DC for when I'm motoring or at a slip.  I prefer to be on the hook when I am away from home port, so I use nothing - including NO ICE.

FWIW,

  I am mostly in the 'with Sarah' colum here..... I do have a minor ice habbit, but I am working one it.   

 I will contribute that IMHO those cheap thermal plate refrigerators that you plug into a cigarette lighter plug and use in a car are not the thing for a boat.

  I gave one a try for a while... sold it at the flea market.  It drew much more currrent, and did not cool very well.  Others I have spoken to have had similar experiences.

[Frank]

Connie...I tried a 'search' of compac appliances....no go. do you have the link?? Thanks  F

[Godot]

I think she means http://www.compactappliance.com

[Joe Pyrat]

I use to use, and still have an Igloo Survivor.  It runs on AC, DC, and propane an it will make ice.  It is the size of a moderately large cooler.  I was thinking about converting to a built in marine refrigerator, but a recent article in Good Old Boat by a guy who is using a portable refrigerator like the Igloo (but more updated) has me thinking maybe I'll just upgrade the Igloo.  The cost of the GOB project was substantially less than the cost of installing a marine unit.

From GOB...

Faux fridge (Simple Solutions)  Carl Hunt  Issue #50-sept/oct 06  Page 78-79
   
• Faux fridge: It was buy a new refrigeration system to replace his icebox or get creative. Carl got creative and added a portable refrigerator for less money. Key words: Don Birdwell, capacity, cooler sizes, power requirements, Adler/Barbour CF-50 Fisheries Supply, batteries, alternator, Powerline 100-amp alternator, Downwind Marine, Dr. Electron, Alan Katz, Isotherm compressor, controller, holding plate, testing the unit Portable refrigerator provides economical ice

[Pixie Dust]

http://www.compactappliance.com/index.jsp
is the web site where I bought my Engel.  Sorry for leaving off the "t".   Late night typing and my boat is a Com-pac 27/2.     The 43 qt is $ 659 currentl.  It only uses .7 Amps in refrigeration mode.
2.5 Amps in Freezer mode.   Cannot say enough good things about it. 

[Oyster]

http://www.compactappliance.com/index.jsp
is the web site where I bought my Engel.  Sorry for leaving off the "t".   Late night typing and my boat is a Com-pac 27/2.     The 43 qt is $ 659 currentl.  It only uses .7 Amps in refrigeration mode.
2.5 Amps in Freezer mode.   Cannot say enough good things about it. 

I see they also sell some neat wine coolers, too.  Howdy Connie, long time no see.
Mike

[Pixie Dust]

Hi Mike.   I feel bad that I have been neglecting my Sailfar friends and site reads.  I wish I could use Pixie Dust to get this house packed.   
I had to call it quits on gadgets.  No wine coolers this trip.  Only room left on PD is for me and the food... and wine. 
I did order a Grundig 5 SSB receiver for weather.  It also comes with a smaller windup version.   Should be here in a few days.   Last Gadget!!   

[s/v Faith]

Ok, I have re-evaluated my position on onboard refrigeration.


Having no icebox, and no desire to build one, I have opted for one of the small self contained units, specifically the Engle. 

The other one I looked at was the WAECO ADLER BARBOUR, now sold by west Marine.


Here is the add;

WAECO ADLER BARBOUR   CF-025DC   7895808    Only $569.99 USD


Fully hermetic Danfoss BD35F compressor with integrated control electronics, low-voltage protection adjustable for consumer or starter battery by means of a slide switch, electronic fuse/automatic reverse pole protection, dynamically ventilated wire condenser, aluminum rollbond evaporator.
•   24 quarts
•   12/24 volts DC
•   35 watts
•   +50°F to 0°F, adjustable via electronic thermostat with LED indicator
•   26.5 lbs.
•   CFC-free polyurethane foam
•   DC connection cable, detachable wire basket
•   Detachable lid (lid mount at the front), interior light
•   Vertical space for standing 2-liter returnable bottles
CF special electronics

  Notice anything missing?  How about the current use? 


The Engle uses little current, and fits into my energy budget.  I like the fact that there is only one moving part in the compressor.




I looked at a few models of the Engle,

The Engle 15, 14 Quart

•  Outside dimensions: 14.5"H x 11"W x 17"L
•  Inside dimensions: 13.75"H x 7.5"W x 7.5"L

  This would have fit best onboard, and the storage space would probably have been adequate for my needs.  The issue with it (for me) is that is has a slightly higher advertised current use then the larger models (probably due to less insulation).

Then is was the 16q, or the 22q.  They both have the same advertised current use… .7 to 2.5a
•  Model: MT17FU1
•  Fits 24 cans (12 Fl.oz) Dimensions: 14.2"h x 21.1"w x 12"d


Then it was the 22q model, (model 27)

Power Consumption: 0.6 - 2.3 Amps
Fits 30 cans (12 Fl.oz •  Dimensions: 21"h x 12"w x 18.2"d

From there you go to the 34 and 43 quart models.

  I like them for their capacity, but they would not fit on my boat without some modification. 

Model: MT35FU1
Volume: 34 qt. / equivalent to 54 12oz. cans
•  Outside dimensions: 16"H x 14 1/3"W x 25 1/2"L
•  Inside dimensions: 15.4"H x 10.8"W x 12.4"L
0.7 Amps in refrigeration mode; 2.5 Amps in freezer mode
Weight: 46.3 pounds

Model: MT45FU1
Volume: 43 qt. / equivalent to 60 12oz. Cans
•  Outside dimensions: 20"h x 14 1/3"w x 25 1/2"l
•  Inside Dimensions: L 15.4" x W 10.8" x H 16.4"
0.7 Amps in refrigeration mode; 2.5 Amps in freezer mode
Weight: 52.9 pounds


I took the measurements out to my boat, and figured out that the model 27 was the right one for me.

  I like the model 43, but the 25� length gets me.  I would have to stow it lengthwise in my v-berth, or rebuild my interior to accommodate it.  This would take up too much space, and the lid would not open more then ½ way.

  The 18.5" Model 27 should sit at the aft end of my V-berth (on the port side) and the way the lid opens from the end should make it a perfect fit.


Looking around I found Compact appliance (the link Connie suggested) beat all others, and was actually cheaper when I checked out then their own advertised price!  (It lists for $569, and sold for $534!)

  I will post my impressions when it arrives.

[CharlieJ]

They did give you the current draw on the Adler Barbour- 12 volts at 35 watts. You just have to do the calculation yourself

[skylark]

When installing it, think about ways to install additional insulation around it, and provide good ventilation to the refrigeration elements.

[Captain Smollett]

They did give you the current draw on the Adler Barbour- 12 volts at 35 watts. You just have to do the calculation yourself

And with those numbers, I think the Engel is a no-brainer winner.

[David_Old_Jersey]

I use to use, and still have an Igloo Survivor.  It runs on AC, DC, and propane an it will make ice.  It is the size of a moderately large cooler.  

I was thinking about one of these:-



http://www.obrienscamping.co.uk/portable/RC1180.htm

Dometic Electrolux RC1180 Camping Portable Fridge Freezer supplied by OBriens Camping. Dometic Electrolux RC 1180 powered by gas mains and 12v.

The gas attracts me for being independent of shore power, how did you get on in practice? My understanding is that when on gas they like to be level - not so easy on a sailboat!

Were you running on gas whilst moored or did you also mix it up with Electric away from shorepower?

[AdriftAtSea]

I think I'd still stick with the Engel.  Less to go wrong with it... and if you've got good solar power, as I do, you can run them pretty much all the time with little downside.

[Freesail]

Hi all,

 I am new here, but Engel does offer extra insulation for there prducts. Here is a link for one .....
http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/JSP.detailmain/itemID.14632/itemType.PRODUCT/iProductID.14632/qx/shopping/product/TBAG17G.htm

[CapnK]

Welcome aboard, Freesail.

Craig - I'm still bouncing around on which one I'll eventually get, will like to take a look at yours when we come up to get the Smollett30. The larger models (35, 45) are almost exactly the same width as the Ariel's port side drawers on the main bulkhead, and would also fit well in the other 2 dimensions in this space. I've considered what I was going to do with those drawers anyway, since they waste a lot of space, even though they are convenient. Seems like as good a spot as any to put the Engel. I also pwant to add some insulation around the icebox portion of the Engel, while leaving the working part plenty of room for breathing. I think I have come up with a way to pull that off. Having even only a radiant barrier around it might help with energy consumption.

[Captain Smollett]

 the Smollett30.