Isotherm Refrigration project in sailboat

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 23

  • @omyoday9593
    @omyoday9593  6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Here are some followup comments. I have lived with the refrigeration on an 8 day cruise now. I am VERY pleased with it. So quiet I never noticed it in daily living on the boat, even at a quiet still anchorage. I did end up putting the dip switches at -2, or 0, (I forget which, - See my other comment about dip switch settings). I recommend you set it at zero to start with. I put one of those indoor/outdoor wireless thermometers in the boat with the outdoor sensor in the icebox. It kept the box at 33 to 40 the whole week. I could keep one bag of ice until it was used up barely losing any ice to melting. I put a shelf in, with a couple plastic boxes to contain small loose items like mayo, mustard, butter, etc. I put two meats (one hamburger and one chicken) in that box, next to the cold plate (not touching but about an inch away, the thickness of the plastic open box). It kept those two meats mostly frozen until i used them later in the week. The only abnormality was when I let the bag of ice come near the temperature sensor down in the lower section of the box (I think it was touching). When that happened the temp went up to 45-50. As soon as I got the bag of ice away from the temp sensor, the temp returned to normal 33-40.
    What a difference it makes to have cold drinks, cold milk, cold cuts, yogurt, for a week, with virtually no ice management - for a week. It was a pleasure. Should have done it years ago. I used to have to have five bags of ice which left little room for food, constantly moving food and ice around, and two bags of ice melting per day.
    Power consumption wise , when running away from shore power, it shows 2.5 - 3.0 amps. How much did it run? I'm guessing 1/3 to but don't know exactly. There were lots of times it was off. That would be 24 amps for the 24 hour period. And it was a hot week, 85 to 95, (though we were air conditioned at night most evenings.)

    • @smaarch1
      @smaarch1 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for the feedback. I will be rebuilding the battery box and adding 2 t105 trojans for 220AH. That and the solar I have aboard, i should be fine. How do you think this unit would work as a spill over system? I have the impression you are freezing things next to the evaporator? Thanks again

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi. Not sure about use for a spill-over fox. The specs say the capacity on this model are 4.4 cubic feet for refer, and 1.1 for freezer. That does not sound like enough capacity for a spillover box. There are bigger capacity units (with greater amperage draw). I can say that it did keep one flat package of chicken and hamburger frozen next to the condenser for several days.
      @@smaarch1

    • @TallyHo322
      @TallyHo322 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      How did you have air conditioning? I am contemplating installing A/C on O’Day 322, but haven’t found a good spot for the unit yet. And I would only be able to use mine on shore power.
      The fridge install looks great. My boat came with refrigeration, and I sure like it. My compressor is in the lazzarette.
      Greg

  • @omyoday9593
    @omyoday9593  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hi all. Well I have not yet gone on a vacation with the Isotherm refrigeration, but on day sails I am very pleased with it.
    When I turn it on connected to shore power, it starts at 2.5 - 3.0 amps for a minute or so, then cranks up to 5.0 amps. It takes the box from 70 degrees to 34 degrees in about two hours. When not connected to power, it runs at about 2.5 - 2.7 amps. It does not seem to run all that often, less than 50% I would estimate. (more on that after I live with it a while).
    It is super quiet, sitting in a perfectly quiet boat at the marina, you can hear it comes on, but just barely. (and that is in the main cabin, if it was in a locker I can't imagine hearing it at all. )
    Alert - I mentioned in the video that there are dip switches to configure the behavior of the unit. (Fridge - freezer, low voltage at which to cut out entirely, voltage at which to convert to conservation mode, etc.) three of the dip switches configure the temperature range from standard. there are six settings: -2 degrees from standard, 0 from standard, +2, +4, +6 , +8 and +10 degrees. For some reason the manual has you start with a standard refrigeration settings of +8 degrees. When I did some testing, indeed the unit was running a range of 45-50+. That is pretty warm for food. I reconfigured the dip switches to 0 or +2 (i forget which).
    The next test showed the unit ( on shore power) dropped the box to 33-34 degrees, and it maintained it up to 40ish off shore power. Problem solved. This could cause a new owner concern and frustration and dis-satisfaction if they do not understand how to change the dip switch settings. There are like 10 pages on dip switch configuration, a little complex for someone who does not read manuals carefully.
    All in all - very pleased with the unit. Should not have waited so many years to do it.

  • @karimh
    @karimh 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for the detailed presentation. Have you experienced any issues with freon leaking through the pipe couplings? I have installed the same unit and the high pressure side coupling keeps leaking freon. Your feedback will be appreciated.

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Hi. I have had the unit installed 6 years now, and no - I have not experienced any leakage of the couplings. It cools as well now as the day I installed it.

  • @cardinhamkilligrew9712
    @cardinhamkilligrew9712 ปีที่แล้ว

    what gauge wire did you use? How many approx amp hours does it use per day? I am in the Chesapeake bay and am considering doing this. Just nervous....

  • @magnumxs1100
    @magnumxs1100 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was just what I was looking for, our fridge has stopped working we paid for a re-gas it worked for a few weeks and then stopped again (the compressor and fan running) so we suspect a gas leak. I didn’t know if you had to get someone in to gas it but it just looks like the system is already charged and no ‘gassing’ is required?

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That is correct. The lines are pre-charged with freon, and when you connect them, it opens up so the freon can flow through. I do not know if they can be disconnected and reconnected without losing the charge, I hope to have no reason to disconnect them for many years.
      This is not the cheapest upgrade ($800 - $1000), but it is just a delight to have all that box space for food, and not having to shuffle around mostly ice bags which is constantly melting. It makes a huge difference to provisioning management on a multi-day trip.

  • @TallyHo322
    @TallyHo322 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice installation. Let me know how loud the compressor is....mine is installed in the lazarette, and I can still hear it cycle on and off when sleeping in the aft berth (but not loud enough to stop my sleeping!). Greg

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well, on preliminary testing I can tell you it is VERY quiet. Whether I would hear it when laying in the aft berth - maybe - barely. It certainly would not wake someone if they were asleep.

  • @smaarch1
    @smaarch1 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Looking at installing the same system. I'd be interested in what you find for amp draw. thanks

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I just installed the new Blue Seas mini-digital volt meter and amp meter, so I can confirm that it draws 2.5 amps when running at regular speed (not high speed). I won't be able to tell you how frequently it kicks on, until I live with it on a trip.

    • @smaarch1
      @smaarch1 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks. if you get around to a follow-up i'd much appreciate it

    • @johndeverteuil136
      @johndeverteuil136 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I calculate mine at 25% so 6hrs in a 24 hour period. Since you are running 2.5amps at 6hrs you are pulling 15amps in a 24hr period... very nicely done. I would also say this can be on the high side as you have a top load box and that is more efficient as well.

  • @zuriidoeta455
    @zuriidoeta455 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    How's the O'day 322 in the bay? how does it sail?

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi. See my other video "My O'Day 322" comments section where I review the boat with an extensive narrative.

  • @ShopperPlug
    @ShopperPlug 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Does it have a defroster installed?

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No. To defrost, you turn it off for a few hours, let the condenser frost melt off, and then pump/sponge out the water at the bottom. (like your grandparents old fridge from the '50's). LOL.

    • @ShopperPlug
      @ShopperPlug 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@omyoday9593 oh wow 🤦🏽

  • @zuriidoeta455
    @zuriidoeta455 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I need a new unit. Do you still like your choice?

    • @omyoday9593
      @omyoday9593  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes. Still very happy with the unit and its functionality.