Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-09-2011, 06:22 PM   #1
Guru
 
Egregious's Avatar
 
City: Sunset Beach, NC
Vessel Name: Polly P.
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 555
12 volt freezer

I'm planning on a 2 month cruise in August.* About the only thing lacking in our boat is the freezer capacity which is fine for a weekend, but nowhere near enough for an extended cruise.* We have a 120V icemaker on the flybridge, but it can only be used when connected to shore power for long periods of time, plus it isn't that big.

Is there such a thing as a 12V freezer?* I know there are cig lighter coolers that heat and cool, but I don't think they freeze.* I can make do with a portable unit but eventually I'd like to tear out the icemaker and replace it with a plain old freezer to store food in.* I think on a regular cruising schedule our batts will be able to keep it running as long as we don't open it often.

Thanks in advance for the ideas.

Woody
Egregious is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2011, 06:38 PM   #2
Guru
 
Woodsong's Avatar
 
City: Atlanta
Vessel Model: Bayliner 4550 Pilothouse
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,630
RE: 12 volt freezer

never seen a 12V freezer? Get an inverter and you can power the 110V icemaker.
Woodsong is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2011, 06:48 PM   #3
Grand Vizier
 
Delfin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,815
RE: 12 volt freezer

Woody, I doubt this is a practical way to go for you, but I built a refer/freezer for Delfin because the space I had to work with made that the best option for someone with high pain tolerance, like me.* I used vacuum panels and polyurethane to get around R50.* It's a built in upright, with the top 8 cu ft section a refer and the bottom 8 cu ft section the freezer.* It seems to work well, keeping things frozen just fine.

If you're not interested in a 3 month project allowing you to store hamburger, Boat Electric sells a 12 v unit that might work for you:

http://boatelectric.com/GM_Deck_Freezer.htm
Delfin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2011, 06:54 PM   #4
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,670
RE: 12 volt freezer

Quote:
Egregious wrote:


...Is there such a thing as a 12V freezer?*
*
Woody:* Our primary freezer is made by SeaFreeze, Bellingham, WA.* It's a stand alone 12 VDC system but not cheap.* I would also look at Engels.* We see more of these than any one manufacturer of 12 volt freezers and have heard no complaints.* http://www.engel-usa.com/
Larry M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2011, 07:29 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
bshanafelt's Avatar
 
City: Port Orchard, WA
Vessel Name: Isobel K
Vessel Model: 37' Custom Pilothouse
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 423
12 volt freezer

we use a Waeco version in the cockpit. It is pretty big at 80 quarts. It seems to use around 60-80 12v amp hours per 24hours.

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dom...per_p_482.html

We pack it full before we leave the USA for the summer and don't have to buy meat etc for the duration of the trip. It can also be set to run as a fridge if necessary.



-- Edited by bshanafelt on Wednesday 9th of March 2011 09:31:00 PM
bshanafelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2011, 07:39 PM   #6
Guru
 
Egregious's Avatar
 
City: Sunset Beach, NC
Vessel Name: Polly P.
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 555
RE: 12 volt freezer

Quote:
Delfin wrote:

Woody, I doubt this is a practical way to go for you, but I built a refer/freezer for Delfin because the space I had to work with made that the best option for someone with high pain tolerance, like me.* I used vacuum panels and polyurethane to get around R50.* It's a built in upright, with the top 8 cu ft section a refer and the bottom 8 cu ft section the freezer.* It seems to work well, keeping things frozen just fine.

If you're not interested in a 3 month project allowing you to store hamburger, Boat Electric sells a 12 v unit that might work for you:

http://boatelectric.com/GM_Deck_Freezer.htm
Delfin,

my boat is 27 years old!* I've already lived through more pain than most lake boaters see in a life time.* But, I am not interested in another project at this time.* That link you attached is *exactly* what I'm looking for.* I have a 120v outlet where the current icemaker is now, and 12V will be easy to get to that same location which I will be glad to wire myself.* It can run high on 120 and stay cold while cruising and I think the thing pulls something like 3 amps.*

I remember a long and argumentative thread about refrigeration a while back -- think I'll search for it for more wisdom.

you seem to be helping me out lots lately, so thanks.

Woody

*
Egregious is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 04:03 AM   #7
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
RE: 12 volt freezer

The high quality portable units Engle and others made for the 3rd world (medical supplies) work great.

Perhaps a full Craig's list search?

In the RE world it is common to consider a 4-1 ratio as worth while.

The cost of needing LESS energy vs the coat of producing that energy.

There seems to be no higher cause of dead , unrepairable batts than refrigeration.

An E meter or similar will keep you out of 12v trouble.

A second choice is a Honda 1000 noisemaker and a used freezer box on the aft deck. Glue 4 inches of foam on the box surfaces and paint it WHITE!!
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 04:32 AM   #8
Guru
 
Tidahapah's Avatar
 
City: Mooloolaba
Vessel Name: Flora
Vessel Model: Timber southern cray boat
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,859
RE: 12 volt freezer

Engle, and other 12 volt frig /freezers are very common here in Aus.
Mostly in the RV market but still popular in boats from trailer fishing boats to live aboards.
I have a 240 Volt frige and a freezer in the wheelhouse/galley and on the back deck a couple of 12 volt Eva Kool combo frig/freezers.
These are 110 lts (I think a lt is approx 1 qt) 1/2 frig and 1/2 freezer.
these have been on my back deck for 6 years and work a lot of the time and still going strong.

A really good way to go, get fiberglass units if possible as opposed to Al clad .

Benn
Tidahapah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 05:08 AM   #9
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
RE: 12 volt freezer

Quote:
bshanafelt wrote:

we use a Waeco version in the cockpit. It is pretty big at 80 quarts. It seems to use around 60-80 12v amp hours per 24hours.



That is a lot of power.* The smaller marine refrigerators use about 3 AH.
*
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 05:10 AM   #10
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
RE: 12 volt freezer

Here is a link to a 12 volt freezer:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?...423&id=1478277

Power Consumption Average / Max @ 12 Volts: 1.5 / 5 Amps
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 06:56 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
bshanafelt's Avatar
 
City: Port Orchard, WA
Vessel Name: Isobel K
Vessel Model: 37' Custom Pilothouse
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 423
RE: 12 volt freezer

That is a lot of power. The smaller marine refrigerators use about 3 AH.

Here is a link to a 12 volt freezer:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?...423&id=1478277

Power Consumption Average / Max @ 12 Volts: 1.5 / 5 Amps




The reality vs the advertised load is always somewhat of a surprise.


My unit has the same compressor and electronics of the linked freezer you are showing.

here is a good article for comparison of various brands / types:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/equi...idge/Research/
bshanafelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 07:02 AM   #12
Guru
 
JohnP's Avatar
 
City: Toms River
Vessel Name: V E N T U R E
Vessel Model: 1996 36' Island Gypsy Classic
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,361
RE: 12 volt freezer

I can't believe that cruising trawlers are not into engine driven refrigeration.

I had a Sea Frost system on my old sailboat I could freeze my ice box or make blocks of ice.

The holding plate held over night easy till the next engine running time.

Wish I had it now.* The Sea Frost system that is,


JohnP
JohnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 07:21 AM   #13
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,670
RE: 12 volt freezer

Quote:
JohnP wrote:

I can't believe that cruising trawlers are not into engine driven refrigeration.

I had a Sea Frost system on my old sailboat I could freeze my ice box or make blocks of ice.

The holding plate held over night easy till the next engine running time.

Wish I had it now.* The Sea Frost system that is,


JohnP

*JohnP:* If you don't have a generator that would work.* But it sure becomes an expensive refrigerator/freezer sytem.* We have a generator we run less than 2 hours a day and that takes care of all our charging.* We have a separate 12 DC refrigerator and freezer.
Larry M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 09:17 AM   #14
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
RE: 12 volt freezer

Cold plates are great , but do take room in the box.

We have over 9000BTU of eutetic plates in a custom 6inch of insulation top opening box in our 90/90..

Most folks will not give up the room required to have TRUE 3 day holdover .

A big AC gense to spin a big (1hp+) compressor could probably do it for the daily 2 hour folks.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 05:21 PM   #15
Guru
 
O C Diver's Avatar
 
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,817
12 volt freezer

Don't know if you have room for one of these:

36.8W x 26.2D x 34.5H in

Sundanzer 12 volt freezer

<a href="http://www.sundanzer.com/Chests.htm">Other models
</a>
Ted

-- Edited by O C Diver on Thursday 10th of March 2011 08:06:29 PM
O C Diver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2011, 06:55 PM   #16
Guru
 
Egregious's Avatar
 
City: Sunset Beach, NC
Vessel Name: Polly P.
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 555
RE: 12 volt freezer

I have used cold plates that were extremely effective.* One hour in the AM and one hour in the PM kept everything frozen.

Problem is that we needed to manually kick it on and off.* Keep in on too long and the plate froze too solid and stopped working.* If we were cruising 100% of the time that would be no problem, but right now the boat sits for weeks at a time.* Now, does that mean I need to empty the contents of the freeze when I leave the boat in the slip?

I love a cold plate, but if you must leave it for a while it doesn't work.*So instead we have a regular unit but the freezer is too small.

woody
Egregious is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 03:19 AM   #17
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
RE: 12 volt freezer

"Keep in on too long and the plate froze too solid and stopped working."

HUNH?

The plate is supposed to freeze solid !!!

The "latent heat of crystalization" is what causes a eutetic plate to function.

It takes lots of heat to melt the water in the plate , that's what happens (it freezes SOLID ) when you run the engine.

The Adler Barbour eutetic plates are "dual circuit" , a big loop for the engine , a smaller one for the undercabinet 120V unit.

The simplest control (we use it ) is a simple wind up timer , but most can onlt switch a few amps , so a relay in needed.

We run 2 hours every 3rd or 4th day, mostly depending on the OAT.(Outside Air Temp)
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 05:28 AM   #18
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,670
12 volt freezer

Quote:
Egregious wrote:

*

.....does that mean I need to empty the contents of the freeze when I leave the boat in the slip?
We had a cold plate system for 10 years.* We had 2 plates in the freezer and*1 plate in the refrigerator.* It ran off of a 1/2 hp DC motor.* It had a thermostat control same as a home unit.* Based on the ambient temperature it would cycle on and off once every 10 to 14 hours.**The only time we would shut it off was when we defrosted the freezer.

Read Calder's book.* Because of the gained efficiencies on evaporative systems, cold plates are not as highly rated as they once were.*

-- Edited by Larry M on Friday 11th of March 2011 07:28:57 AM
Larry M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 07:30 PM   #19
Guru
 
Egregious's Avatar
 
City: Sunset Beach, NC
Vessel Name: Polly P.
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 555
RE: 12 volt freezer

FF and Larry M, good replies.

Just the only experience I've had with cold plates has been on charter boats.* But on them they worked great and I still wonder why they aren't used more often.

When I used them, if you left the compressor running for too long, the coils would freeze.** The plate does need to be frozen, and I mis-spoke.* Once the coils froze then they cease to cool the plates.* However, a thermostat would take care of that, just never seen that setup.

Tell me more, because I'm curious.

Woody
Egregious is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2011, 06:36 AM   #20
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,670
RE: 12 volt freezer

Quote:
Egregious wrote:

.....a thermostat would take care of that, just never seen that setup.

Tell me more, because I'm curious.

Woody


Get a hold of Sea Frost Refrigeration.* They build design*freezer/refrigeration systems including cold plates.* I'm sure they can set you up with the thermostat.**

*http://www.seafrost.com/menu.htm
Larry M is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Frigibar deck freezer Daddyo Classifieds Archive - Closed To New Posts 4 12-28-2011 07:15 AM
12 volt inverter motion30 Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 13 12-27-2011 05:19 AM
Advantages of a 24 volt system skipperdude Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 15 03-14-2011 03:48 AM
12 volt TV and digital antennas Annapolis Jim General Discussion 9 09-17-2010 10:16 AM
12 volt light fixtures surveyor1 Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 5 11-16-2009 03:34 AM

» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012