Fridgefreeze

D

Doryman

New member
I found an ad for this freezer in a sailing magazine. The 45 liter model costs about $1500. That's pretty spendy. Any thoughts out there as to why it is so expensive and whether (or more accurately, to whom) it would be worth it?

Warren
 
Really good stuff costs a lot more. Maybe not a lot, but more. This is really low battery draw. You could almost support it with solar.
 
Warren,

I would look at Engel and Waeco Fridge/Freezers. Very similar in size and performance. The cost is about 1/3. I bought a Waeco from the marine supply house in Bellingham. I forget the name, but it is at the harbor. Paid in the $600 - $700 range. Pics in the Discovery album.
 
At some point, you need to start doing calculations - what temp am I cruising
in, how much battery can I support, what is my charge rate, how often
will I charge, etc. Then decide if the extra efficiency is something you
need. If you need extra efficiency, then it is expensive.

For the type of cruising we do in Maryland, a unit like this doesn't make
sense. But, if I was cruising on a sailboat in the tropics, and let's say
I was a diabetic so maintaining insulin was very important, then high
quality and efficiency might be something I would pay for.

Mike
 
Warren-

When Bob Austin (Thataway) gets back, be sure to ask him. He installed a unit in his Tomcat 255, and has had many other boats with cold plate units and other forms of refrigeration. I remember him saying that some of his cold plate units had lasted for 30 years and been transferred from boat to boat!

Both Discovery and Thataway have neat storage solutions on their units that allow them to store under cabinets and slide out to open!

Joe.

IM000247.sized.jpgIMG_0609.sized.jpg

Freezers/refrigerators under cabinets on slide out rails/platforms. Discovery on left, Thataway on right.
 

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Discovery":3b9psy1w said:
Warren,

I would look at Engel and Waeco Fridge/Freezers. Very similar in size and performance. The cost is about 1/3. I bought a Waeco from the marine supply house in Bellingham. I forget the name, but it is at the harbor. Paid in the $600 - $700 range. Pics in the Discovery album.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I saw WAECO at the 06 SBS and had forgotten about it. Time to check it out again!

Warren
 
I don't see any break thru in this unit--perhaps more insullation, which is always good. Most units are going to use the same compressors--and this does not name it, but it is most likely the Danfoss compressor.

You have to stipulate where the tests are done--what the ambient temperature is. In the PNW--sure it may run for a few days on a single battery--in Lake Powell, or Florida--not even a day.

I do believe that you can make a better freezer/refigerator than those which are sold as a unit--but it will take more insullation, good vapor barriers, and I would definately consider holding plates--that way you run when power is available (like when the engine is running).
 
We buy a block of ice when we fuel at a marina and put it in our cooler. Sure haven't spent $1500 for ice in our cooler in our 6 years of living most of the time on the boat.
 
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