Novakool 193L Marine Fridge Freezer
In the Market for a Marine Fridge?
If you spend a lot of time at the dock where shore power is readily available, or if you have an onboard generator that you use frequently, your best choice may be a 110v AC refrigeration unit.
It's relatively inexpensive, dependable and easy to install, and should give you years of trouble-free service. Most boaters don't live at the dock, however. If you spend time cruising and anchoring out, a better option may be to use either a 12v DC unit or an engine-driven refrigeration system.
Before we get into exactly what refrigeration is, let's clear up some misconceptions. First of all, refrigeration does not create cold. Rather, it transfers heat from one area to another. In fact, all refrigerators work on the same principle: A gas is compressed and allowed to expand inside an evaporator (the plate that gets cold inside the refrigerator). As the gas expands it absorbs heat which is then dissipated on the outside of the refrigerator, either to air or sometimes through a seawater heat exchanger. The expanded gas then passes back through the compressor and the cycle repeats. Although there are some exceptions in which absorption refrigeration may be used, most refrigeration systems consist of six principal components - compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, refrigerant, and thermostat."
Marine refrigeration units come in three main types
- self-contained
- thermoelectric, and
- holding plate systems.
Self-contained marine refrigerators are the easiest type of marine refrigerator to install and usually look similar to those you may have in your home. All the components are built into one case, with the compressor sitting on a metal tray outside and below the insulated cabinet. A 12-volt DC split system has the compressor and other components sometimes a fairly considerable distance from the insulated box which only contains the evaporator plate. Many of these systems are available for doing it yourself installation; converting an icebox to proper refrigeration is a popular upgrade.
Cooling a boat with a thermoelectric system requires no refrigerant, requires a fan and is powered by 12-volt DC electricity. These systems are simple to install and have no moving parts, but they are not as efficient as other cooling systems. A thermoelectric cooling unit will cool the box to 40 to 50 degrees below ambient temperature, which may not be enough for tropical areas or other hot weather areas.
For those who need deep freezes, lots of ice and the power to keep it all running, an engine-driven compressor with holding plates is a good choice. The compressor typically runs only once or twice a day for short periods, assuming adequate insulation in the box. However, the initial cost is far more than that of a 12v DC unit, so there's a greater potential for problems. If you consider an engine-driven compressor, factor in the cost of labour of mounting the compressor on the engine itself rather than on a nearby stringer. This allows the compressor to vibrate and move with the engine, resulting in less wear and tear on bearings. Also, consider that you will not want the compressor to block access to other components. Typically, this type of 12-volt unit is installed by professionals while other types of units are easier to install by a "do-it-yourselfer." Some units have two refrigerant channels in the holding plates with the option of separate AC or DC run compressors for use when plugged into the dock.
Look for marine-grade construction materials. Most holding plates are made of electropolished or powder-coated stainless steel—polished on the outside and resistant to corrosion. Water-cooled condensers exposed to seawater should be made of a non-corrosive material such as cupronickel, which is a copper alloy that does not rust.
That Being SAID! We have JUST received a 193L Marine Grade Refridgerator - If the time is right, check it out below, full specifications can be found in the Product Data Sheet and essential features are listed in the description
Novakool 193L Marine Fridge Freezer <---CLICK HERE <----
What is great about this Fridge/Freezer, is that the Freezer component is at the bottom for easier access to that ice cream you are keeping on hand! Larger bottles are easy to fit and the positive latch system ensures that the doors are secure. So Click on the link above to get pricing and complete details.
