cockpit icemaker

[kg4vgh]

howdy all.....have a 310 sundancer, with the cockpit icemaker.
It needs to be replaced....anyone found a fridge of the same size to replace it with....could use the extra refridgerator space....
Thanks
Pete

 

[osd9]

finding a fridge to replace the icemaker shouldn't be too difficult, but you may have to trim some fiberglass around the opening.

Most icemakers are 110v AC only. Most fridges are 110v AC or 12v DC.

I see some electrical work in your near future..... :thumbsup:

 

[aquadancer]

I am sure cockpit fridge was available as on option on your Sunsancer. Call Searay and ask what model they used.

I replaced my icemaker with a dual voltage Norcold DC 0051 fridge. I involved trimming the opening some and and running 12v power with a dedicated breaker.

 

[rondds]

just be prepared to pay MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more than you would for a similarly sized ac-only fridge. does anyone know if a small house-type fridge (ac only) could be plugged into an dc to ac converter?

according to my calculations, to run a 110volt fridge that draws 10 amps, you'd need an 1100 watt converter? :smt119

1 watt = 1 volt x 1 amp (Ohm's Law) :smt115

 

[capnjim]

does anyone know if a small house-type fridge (ac only) could be plugged into an dc to ac converter?

I'm in the process of installing exactly that. I did some testing this winter in my basement with a dorm-type fridge, a 1500W inverter and my 2 house batteries. The only time there is a significant load on the inverter is when the compressor starts. Once it's running the draw is only a few amps. Of course once the compressor cycles back off there is no draw (except for the ~1A the inverter draws at idle).
The inverter and my new power control/monitor panel is in, the fridge goes in tomorrow...

Jim

 

[rondds]

hi jim
i'd like to see pics of that setup if you could post some :smt001

 

[capnjim]

I'll try to remember to snap a few photos next time I'm out there. I put the fridge in today. It's a Kenmore 1.7 cu ft in black. Looks nice.

I believe there was an icebox there (in the galley) originally but a previous owner bolted cabinet doors over the opening and converted it to dry storage.

I put the inverter under the galley also, with 14 feet of #2 AWG welding cable back to the house battery bank (2 Interstate deep-cycle batts). I made a transfer switch so I can switch the fridge from shore power to inverter easily.

Now I have 3 inches above the fridge that is empty space, the Admiral would like that to be a silverware drawer. Time to get out the woodworking tools...

 

[capnjim]

I posted a description of what I did over in the "Modifications" topic.

http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2243

Jim

 

[rondds]

hi jim: NICE WORK :thumbsup: what did the entire project run in cost (not including the labor!)? just curious. also, does your boat have shore power and a built in battery charger?
ron

 

[capnjim]

Around $300 for everything. Got the fridge at Sears, the inverter and the 250A fuseholder on eBay and the welding cable from Arizona Wind and Sun. Yes I have shore power of a sort, one outlet in the galley and one in the engine room for the charger ( a dual bank 15A smart charger from SiTex). It looks like someone added the shore power, it does not look factory!

Let's move this conversation over to my post and stop hijacking this thread... :wink:

 

[330DA]

What is wrong with the icemaker? My blower went bad and I replaced the part for $75. Now it's good as new.

 

[LMBoat]

I have a fridge in the cockpit. I have wondered about changing it to an ice maker or ice maker/fridge combo. Comments?

 

[goblue]

Before replacing an icemaker with a fridge, I would look for other options to keep food cold. We have a large ice box under our starboard seat. It holds lots of food and the cock pit ice maker easily makes 20 pounds of ice per day. We use the fridge in the galley for orange juice, milk, meat that will be prepared that day and the ice box for things that will be used in a few days. We even keep a small igloo cooler under a cockpit seat with ice in it to cool a bottle of wine for dinner. Staples get stored under the bed. In my view, you always need ice, and you can get by with a little less refrigeration. That's a fair trade off.

 

[Asureyez]

Cockpit Fridge

If this project is still active, i'll send a photo tomorrow of a mod where I took out the Ice Maker and installed a near drop in fridge repalcement. I have 120 V and 12 V behind the FG panel so it was a snap.

The unit I purchased as a Spc. order from the big marine chain and it comes wired for 120V or 12 use. and a inverter attached.

Its a stainless and plastic housing 1.2 CuFt and is enough to hold two days canned softdrinkls and bottled water keeping us from taking space from food storage. We make about 4 trays of ice in the galley freezer and that is enough unless we have guests and then out come the portable ice chests any way.

Let me know if you need pics other wise I'll get the mod in to the VM as I have time.