Which Cooler??

[Greg]

I am about to order two new coolers for the boat and need to confirm the size and type to get. I know Moe and Duane are using the Igloo Ice Cube which will sit on the seat beside the galley, but which one is the best fit? The web site lists a Ice Cube 48 quart, Deluxe 48 quart, and a 60 quart ultra (all are blue) and then they list a Ice Cube Marine 48 quart (white). I saw the one Moe listed on the Mods page is white, but not sure of the size or model (could have changed since last year).
For below the aft dinette seat, I understand a 70 quart Max Cold is the best choice and will fit with modifications? I have read information on this somewhere on this site but can't seem to find it now and I'm ready to order. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg

[Moe]

Greg, this is the one I have. Sticker on it says it's a 75 can 50 Qt, 47,5 liter . It fits on the aft galley seat like it was made for it, and the white color with black trimmed handles match the X.

Here's Frank C's 70 Qt installation. Note that some cutting was involved.

It's worth browsing the Igloo site and looking at measurements. They made some changes to some of their line-up.
--
Moe

[Moe]

BTW, I have a 50QT "Ultra" Marine cooler, like the one Duane has under his aft dinette seat. I think it's only available in white at West Marine now, with their label, and sold as Max Cold in blue everywhere else. I tried it in my aft dinette seat and it looks like it sticks up above the seat even a bit further than Duane's. Perhaps there was a change in the ballast tank that makes that cooler undoable in later models.

--
Moe

[Frank C]

Igloo's 70qt. model is in Costco again @ 25 bucks. I don't recall whether their branding says MaxCold or 5-Day (or both). Costco is now selling two different 70 qt. models this season, the other might be Coleman?

Anyway, the differences are readily apparent. The Igloo is shorter but wider, meaning with only slight trimming of the opening, it fits fully under the hatch cover. Read the mod page, you also need to remove the cooler liner and create a "floor" support for the cooler. This 70 qt. cooler is about perfect, fits a block of ice plus provisions - both will last about 5 days for a couple.

[Erik Hardtle]

Do you really want a cooler or refrigerator.... Check out my Engel 35... It fits right into the existing cooler insert. It's got a metal basket that you can take out and fill... so you can leave the fridge in place.

http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/product267.html

Model Number MT35F-U1
Power consumption 0.7 - 2.5 Amps
Volume 34 qt.
Equivalent 54 cans (12 Fl.oz)
Weight 46.3 lbs.
Inside Dims 15.4" x 10.8" x 12.4"
Outside Dims 25.5" x 14.3" x 16"
Freezing Ability From 40F to 0F
Temp. control Variable
Available colors Gray
Carry handles Yes
Refrigerant Gas 134A
Input rating DC12V - 2.7A
Power Leads 9' detachable
Fuse 10A external fuse
Max Noise 38 dB
Shipping Dims 29" x 17" x 19"
Shipping Weight 59 lbs.
Warranty 2 years.

It is a bit pricey $590.00... I have been very pleased with its performance over long weekends.

I cutout some of the cooler insert to allow it to ventilate and added more fiberglass roving to help support the extra weight. It automatically detects if AC current is on uses it instead of DC. This will keep everything refrigerated.... and will make ice. Draws about .7 to 2.7 amps depending on where you set the knob.

Click on my WWW button below then click on modifications to see pictures.

Erik

[mike]

I second the Engel 35... we just returned from our first trip since installing the refrigerator (more on the trip to come later... it was... eventful), and it was REALLY nice to have. True, for most people, a simple cooler and some ice can do the job for a lot less $$$, but for us the refrigerator is a very worthwhile luxury.

I have it installed in basically the same way as Eric (though I don't have the cooler insert, so it rests on a platform I glassed in), and believe it or not, it really does only draw about .7 amps in refrigerator mode.

--Mike

[kmclemore]

If I had it to do over again, I'd get the Engel... it's a *very* low power unit and seems well made also.

I have a Norcold, and although it's very convenient and roomy - more like a 'real' refrigerator, which the First Mate rather likes - it uses way more energy than I'd prefer and much of our solar power goes to that alone. I'm also not fond of the unit's sharp edges... I'm going to add some vinyl coving around the edges once the weather warms up.

[Frank & Meg]

Meg & I took a 5 day with dry ice in the bottom camping last summer and that kept things frozen (and I do mean frozen!) for four days. They say to top the dry ice with regular ice cubes but I'd go one step further and cover those cubes with a towel or something to keep your stuff from turning into a brick. Not as stylish as the Engel to be sure, but darn sure works.

[Greg]

Thanks for the feedback. I went with the Maxcold 70, the ice cube marine and bought the 3" Nicro while I was there. Boat US matched the Boaters world price so it was Maxcold 70- 34.99, solar vent- 114.00, Ice cube 25.00 from Dicks Sporting goods. Our local Boat US gives additional 5% off to Power Squadron members.
Thanks for the suggestions for the frig and the pict, but too many other things to do for now.
I installed the battery in the vent when I got home and it makes a bit of noise when it runs. It has a slight squeak and a rumble noise, is that normal? I was expecting much quieter.

Thanks for the help
Greg

[Moe]

There's no squeak in ours, but there is a bit of low-pitched growling. Make sure the blades are clear and the fan is cell up. If it still squeaked I might put a single drop of sewing machine oil on the shaft and let it soak down.

--
Moe

[kmclemore]

I installed the battery in the vent when I got home and it makes a bit of noise when it runs. It has a slight squeak and a rumble noise, is that normal? I was expecting much quieter.

Greg, I just got one for my birthday from the First Mate, and it had exactly the same problem... fan is pushed on too far.. give it a light tug and pull it away from the motor.. that will fix it. Personally, I'd avoid the oil for now, as they are premanently lubed bearings in that little motor and if too much or the wrong type of oil gets up in the motor it may actually slow it down.

[Moe]

What Kevin says may be true. Since it's new you might take it back instead of oiling it, if pulling the blade out a bit doesn't fix the squeak.

--
Moe

[kmclemore]

Actually, the blade is made to come off pretty easily on these vents. In fact, that's how you change flow-direction on them - you simply pull off the 'out' impeller and slide on the 'in' impeller! I think they just jam them on a little too tight at the factory... a light tug will make the noise go away - I recognise your symptoms as the same as mine from a few nights ago!

[Don T]

Hello:
I just wanted to bring up a point from a thread of a couple years ago. Be very careful if you are attempting to use dry ice in an enclosed space. The dry ice will sublimate releasing CO2 that must be vented overboard. It will be a silent killer if left to vent into the cabin.
I don't want to start a whole discussion and hijack the thread but I did feel the need to bring up a safety issue.

[Moe]

I'm gonna weigh in with Don on the CO2 issue. It's heavier than air and will try to stay in the cabin, especially the lower aft berth, and, from what I read, only takes about 1.5% to be fatal. Besides... it even makes ice cream too hard to spoon out.

--
Moe