Experience with refrigerators on extended cruises?

[Chinook]

I'm wondering if I would be able to support the operation of a portable compressor type frig/freezer on an extended cruise. I have a pair of heavy duty golf cart type 6 volt batteries for house power, and have also installed a 65 watt solar panel, on sliding hatch (aiming it not an option). We'll be on the Sea of Cortez mid March to mid May, intending to sail as often as practical. Normal power demand not too great: GPS/Sounder when underway, cabin lights, starting load for Wallis stove, and occasional cd music. I'm looking at the Engel 35F, which one site says draws .7 - 2.5 amps. In estimating amp hours, I don't know how often it would cycle, and therefore, how much power it would draw in 24 hours. On an extended cruise, we would be restocking with warmer food items at times, which would take more power than starting from home on 3-4 day trips with everything either frozen or very cold to begin with.

I hope you more experienced 12 refrigeration experts can enlighten me.

[kmclemore]

Well, I don't have an Engle, but based on my fridge and my CD, GPS and other loads similar to yours, I don't think you're gonna make it. Remember, the sea of Cortez is a pretty warm place - that fridge is gonna have to do some heavy lifting, plus you're also gonna want to run a fan once in a while for your own comfort. And you'll use those cabin lights more often than you think on an extended cruise, too. Don't forget abut charging your cell phone and possibly a laptop computer, too.

IMHO, I'd bring along a small generator - a Honda EU1000i would do.

[James V]

I have done without one, After getting used to it, not that much of a deal. The things that are needed is meat, ice cream and cold drinks. All else can be worked out without a frig.

TO much power draw for a small boat and in the Bahamas it is to easy to get what you need. There are several good books on this that tells you how to do things and what not to mix together.

One person that I talked to uses 100 amp/hours for his frig/freezer per day.

[richandlori]

The Engel is a great unit and very efficient for starters, but in the Sea you can plan on it running at LEAST 50% of the time so at 2.5AMPS/hr that would be a minimum of 30AH for the fridge. (Note if the unit runs only 30% of the time then you will only need 18AH/day)

I'm estimating you will get 3.5AMPS/HR out of you solar and figure on 6hrs of full sun/day so that 21AH/day into your battery bank. Now you might get a bit more than 6hr of sun, but not tons more.

So it looks like the back of the napkin number could have you short 9AH/day just to run the fridge, not even counting the cabin lights, anchor light and toys.

I would definitely plan on an alternative power source and If I were Cruising the sea a Honda 1000 would be great for you....I would NOT even consider NOT having a Fridge...but that's just me YMMV.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I think it can be done, although for an extended trip like your's I would bring a small generator as well.

We're looking at one of these,

http://www.coolmatic.net/

Their Danfoss BDF compressors are suppose to be the best small compressors out there. The AC/DC units look like they would work great. When at a marina the AC switch over is seamless and a small generator does a better job of putting out AC than DC.

Initially I was thinking of a 52 quart one running in fridge mode, which has quite a bit lower amp draw than in freezer mode. It looks like it could be worked into the standard X cooler location under the dinette seat.

Now I'm thinking of leaving my 5 day cooler there and going with a smaller unit that will live out in the cockpit under the helm seat. It would be able to breath there with no problems and I would run it in freezer mode. I would rotate Blue Ice between it and the interior coolers. It would also make ice for drinks, and keep meats and such for longer periods. I'm told we have to have ice for drinks even if we don't use it for refrigeration. This way we could make our own or at least store it without the melting.

In looking at our needs, with most cruises 1-2 weeks with a marina stop at least every 3-4 days for fuel, water, and head dump; I think we could cruise quite nicely with one of these without the constant need to buy ice and all the melting water mess that goes along with it.

We'll see if it survives to the project list this year now that the Motor upgrade has become a reality.

[Luke]

Mike I use an Engel MT45 while cruising. It works well, sometimes too well. I have a bad habit of accidently bumping the temperature knob. After a few hours I will open the refrigerator for a beer only to find everything is frozen solid.
Every three or fours days I will recharge the house batteries with the Honda EU2000i generator.

Luke
1999 26X

[mallardjusted]

Duane's idea sounds kind of "cool"!


btw, Duane, re:

We'll see if it survives to the project list this year now that the Motor upgrade has become a reality.

I must have missed a post about this. Did you get, or are you getting, a new motor????

[March]

Yup, I am with Duane. The Waeco cooler we have works very well. Two summers ago, the boat was on the lake at anchor for weeks on end. I anchored in a little protected cove on our local lake. Used the dinghy to row to the shore and walked leisurely to the back of a friend's house where I kept my car. The fridge was on 24/24 and there was always cool beer (and pop) inside.
With a 65 W solar panel, both batteries were always full by evening. In absence of clouds, they were full by 12 o'clock. And there was always cool beer on board, and steaks and sausages ready to grill. No need to start the engine at all.
It has been worth the pricetag, as far as I am concerned

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

i purchased the Engel 35 for my X in '06 and just love it.



we use it in the back of the family SUV when it's not inside the X dinette seat.
like everything else, it's gone up in price (abt $65) since our purchase. however, compact appliance has free shipping and a $75 mail-in rebate thru 1/31.
it'll get your delivered cost down to $575...excellent price!

cannot imagine ever using block ice again.

here's a good thread on installation for an X: Engel install

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[KayakDan]

I'm also thinking about using an Engel 35 whene we go to Exuma. Plan is to add 100w solar off the stern to support it. All our lights are LED,and we have only a stereo and chartplotter and pressure water aboard. For an extended period of time in the Bahamas,I figured 80w solar would work,but 100W would be good insurance.
Does my math sound right?

[James V]

Good question, It depends on IF you use your stereo much or you computer. Still your engin puts out enough to give a quick charge if needed. As long as you have good sun you should be OK. Today I droped to 11.6 on one battery with mostly cloudy day. The computer takes 10 to 12 amps to charge and use.

I have 2 - 20 W pannels. Winds was shifting.

[Divecoz]

I am looking at mounting two 30 to 60 watt panels up front on the bow rails/ the biggest that will fit up there 20" h 30" long. I'll be able to point them at the sun easy enough and they will be out of the way. I will as JamesV has done and Moe has warned enclose them and protect them when not in use. I will also be looking for a place to put a 3rd battery on my 05 M

[Divecoz]

Good question, It depends on IF you use your stereo much or you computer. Still your engin puts out enough to give a quick charge if needed. As long as you have good sun you should be OK. Today I droped to 11.6 on one battery with mostly cloudy day. The computer takes 10 to 12 amps to charge and use.

I have 2 - 20 W pannels. Winds was shifting.

James find a favorite Bar and bartender an I would think he or better yet she . . . would let you charge your lap top battery while your having a few cold brewski's........

[eric3a]

..

[Divecoz]

Well I was figuring . . .Lap top recharges in about 30 minutes.
Have a couple cold one's while you entice the Bar-maiden to come by for a Late dinner and all the while your getting your batteries charged only to have them drained. . . . with any luck at all, after that late dinner.