Boat Refrigerator

[alleng8304]

Hello. I am restoring a 1986 Bayliner 2150 open bow. I would like to replace the icebox to a refrig of the same size. However, I do not want to spend $1000. There are ones on different web sites for about $300. In South Carolina it gets hot in the summer. Even those that advertise 54 degrees below ambient temp, one has to wonder if they would get colder then 50 degrees. My icebox can do that. Any suggestions on brands etc Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Stick with the icebox, as ya won't have batteries enough to power a refrig for the day, much less overnight,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Unless your adding a generator, stick with the ice box

 

[NovaScotian]

Ive always figured that fridges in cabin cruisers must be basically limited to dock and marina use while tied up and plugged into shore power, or running off of a genset. I would think they would kill even a bank of batteries in a hurry once you shut the engine down...

 

[alleng8304]

Bayliner Capri Restoration

I have been restoring a 1986 Bayliner 2150 open bow-looks great and runs perfect. Interior immaculate. Engine rebuild, out drive repainted. Now comes to icebox. The icebox needs some work on the door-new rubber to fit tight. I have been thinking of swapping out ice box for a small AC/DC frig- boat has shore power. However, I do not want to spend $800 or more. Does any one know of a dependable mini AC/DC frig under $300 that works. Most reviews on Amazon and e-bay go both positive and negative. Most of you will probably say stick with icebox since I am only a weekend boater. Many thanks

 

[spoon059]

Coleman makes a nice one. I can't remember if they are 12 or 120 volt... I vaguely remember my buddy having a 12 volt one. Worked "decent", usually kept it 30 or 40 degrees below ambient temperature though. It its 90, the fridge would ony be about 50... just something to consider.

For the money, I would buy a nice cooler and some ice. Colder and cheaper...

 

[Scott Danforth]

dude, multiple posts on same topic https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...-not-engine-topics/10637958-boat-refrigerator

 

[Toyelectroman]

My cruiser has a built in mini fridge that runs off of 12 volts. Took about 2 full days to kill one of my batteries

 

[Downwindtracker2]

We've used those 12 volt compressor fridge/freezers in Africa and Australia that came with the rental trucks. They were.both Engel, that is the most recommended brand. They had their own 12volt batteries, on one truck it just charged as we drove, the other had a 100watt solar panel as well.. The capacity was limited to food only, I had to use a cooler for beer. Luckily ice was easily available .

 

[PremierPOWER]

You do not need a generator to run a small 12VDC refrigerator. I have a 2018 Monterey 335 SY that has 2 refrigerators (Isotherm 65 and 49, both ). I have let them both run, on the highest setting, in my driveway without shorepower plugged in. I have two group 31 AGM batteries for the house loads. After a full 48 hours, the batteries were still at 11.9-12.0 volts. This was about a month ago when it was 95 degrees out, which means it was easily 105+ in the cabin and covered cockpit. The refrigerators are rated for 109 degrees (Tropical version) and were maintaining about 37 degrees according to the wireless thermometers I keep in them.

With a small refrigerator and a good group 31 AGM battery, you will be perfectly fine for the day. The issue you will run into is that they do not cool down instantly (I never shut mine off, they are on AC power in my storage hanger and when I trailer to a lake, I leave them on DC power until I get launched and the generator started). So you will want to have a good battery charger so you can leave it plugged in when the boat is stored in order for the refrigerator to be ready to take cold food when you head out for the day.