Where to get Fridge

[lmannyr]

Where can I shop for a marine fridge? Does it matter if it's "marine." I'm rebuilding the cabinet and need dimensions for the fridge before moving on. The old one was junk and tossed it months ago.

iBoats has one Norcold option. Looking to see what else is out there.

What power source; DC/AC or just one or the other. I think 2.5-3 cu. ft will be just right.

thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Where to get Fridge

goggle "marine refrigerator" there a quite a few brands. i would want AC/DC if your boat is compatiable, with shore power AC. unless you have a generator, you do not have AC away from the dock.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Where to get Fridge

This website has some nice 12 volt fridges,
"http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/refrigerators-indel-front-opened.asp"

Remove quotes and copy and paste in your browser...

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Where to get Fridge

This website has some nice 12 volt fridges,
"http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/refrigerators-indel-front-opened.asp"

Remove quotes and copy and paste in your browser...

No Gary, he wants one for a boat, not a camper.
Just kidding lmannyr, just kidding.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Well it did say MARINE fridge....lol

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Marine refrigators are "VERY" costly!
The options are:
If you have dock 120v, Pwr, buy a small one like you would get for a collage dorm = $100.00.

For a boat the size you have,how long do you need to keep things cold?
ICE Paks might be a better option,,

That's opinion
How big is the boat? & what power is available??

 

[chucky112233]

Re: Where to get Fridge

hello all. I am kinda in the same deal..The boat i just bought has a small 115 volt fridge(like what was in my dorm room!!). I am toying with the idea of a invertor hooked to a third battery.. If my math is correct my fridge is 115 voltsx1.12 amps equals approx 128.8 watts needed to run the fridge.. I know prob triple that for start up but you can get a 1000 watt convertor for approx 150.00.. We have one at work it draws approx 26 amps off the battery no matter what is plugged in.. I know i will have to keep the batteries charged as it would kill a battery sitting but if i only turn the fridge on when running? I am nuts? What do you guys think?

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Where to get Fridge

My boat originally came with shore power and no inverter. The fridge was AC/DC powered. All my lights worked AC/DC. I didn't know lights could work DC or AC.

After some posts on iboats, I have decided to run AC appliances with a Honda quiet 2 or 3k watt generator strapped to the swim platform or the roof of the custom hard top. The generator will have the wiring connected directly to the breaker box like the shore power. I would need more info on how to setup an automatic transfer switch from 2 different AC sources, just in case I have the generator running and I plug in the shore power accidently too.

I'll need a fridge that is cabinet mountable. All marine version come this way I believe. It would be nice to have it run AC or DC just in case the generator dies. Not sure though.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to get Fridge

There are an ample number of thermo-electric coolers available for less than $100 bucks that serve not only to keep things cold, but they can warm stuff as well (just not both at the same time obviously). They vary in size from big enough for a six pack of whatever to a the usual cooler size. They plug into 12V, draw far less current than anything with a compressor style cooling refridgeration system and serve double duty since they can be used in your car for road trips, hotel/motel rooms, and on your boat. I have one that we use for both purposes and they work well. Chill your stuff at home, load the cooler, plug it in on the boat and go. Coleman and Rubber Maid are just two suppliers.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Is there any true difference between an RV fridge and a marine fridge?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Many RV fridges can typically run on propane, 12V, or AC. It's been a few years since I owned one so perhaps technology has changed that. The 12V and AC power was really thermo-electric and not a traditional compressor. All three methods worked well.

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: Where to get Fridge

There are an ample number of thermo-electric coolers available for less than $100 bucks that serve not only to keep things cold, but they can warm stuff as well (just not both at the same time obviously). They vary in size from big enough for a six pack of whatever to a the usual cooler size. They plug into 12V, draw far less current than anything with a compressor style cooling refridgeration system and serve double duty since they can be used in your car for road trips, hotel/motel rooms, and on your boat. I have one that we use for both purposes and they work well. Chill your stuff at home, load the cooler, plug it in on the boat and go. Coleman and Rubber Maid are just two suppliers.

Thermoelectric are hard on electricity too. No prob if your running but when stopped they can drain a battery in a few hours. Not all compressor are hard on electricity. Swing Motor types like in the Engel's fridge are some of the best out there.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to get Fridge

The RubberMaid I have draws less than 3 amps. I've had several RVs over the years and nothing killed a battery faster than the one I had with a compressor style system. And that fridge was not a heck of lot bigger than the cooler I currently use. If ones outing is going over a weekend or longer, I'd suggest like others have, buy a small generator and use a small dorm-style fridge. It's a cheap alternative and if shore power is available all the better. You can also use the genset at home in an emergency.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Where to get Fridge

...If ones outing is going over a weekend or longer, I'd suggest like others have, buy a small generator and use a small dorm-style fridge. It's a cheap alternative and if shore power is available all the better. You can also use the genset at home in an emergency.

Thats my plan, Honda quiet generator with a compressor fridge. I don't really care if it's Marine rated or not as long as I could slide it into a cabinet. Kinda like home dishwashers, there is no casing. Only the face is finished and the rest is unfinshed but is hidden within the cabinet. Are these sold in non marine aplications? I'll do a search but any help would be GREAT!!!


THANKS.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to get Fridge

If all you are looking for is a dorm style fridge, all of the home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, etc.) sell them. On sale they are less then $100 bucks. I have one behind my bar that I think I paid $78 for at Home Depot. I paid $38.00 for a small microwave at one of the appliance stores. It was a closeout model. Bargains are there. Look around.

 

[lmannyr]

Fridge without casing...

Fridge without casing...

Do all these small "dorm style fridges" come without the casing though.

It may be a dumb question but I would think it needs to be without the rear casing though.

Can I remove the casing and still mount it to the cabinet?

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Ok... Want I need will be a Built-In fridge. The built-in fridges are expensive. They run in the 600+ range. I would think this fridges would be cheaper since it doesn't have the nice finished casing. I guess not.

Freestanding fridges are nicely priced at about 150 depending on size. Freestanding fridges aren't good for boats though since it would be bouncing around and may come out of the cabinet.

Is there a way to secure a freestanding fridge placed under the counter?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Dorm style units have a shell on them. If that's an issue for you, cut the shell off with a cutting wheel in the cutoff tool (rent one if you need to). Leave enough material that you can bend flanges at the side to fasten it to the cabinet. Pack lots of insulation around it and make sure you allow for condensation drainage (e.g, a metal or fiberglass pan under it.) If you don't want to remove the shell, make some angle brackets to fasten it down.

 

[backwater dawg]

Re: Where to get Fridge

OK-I understand saving $$$$--but the bottom line is how much trouble will it be to strap a gen on the swim deck-run a cord--- f--- around with all that???--if you can afford a boat--4 buck a gallon gas--ect-ect-ect---buy a new or used 12 v fridge and be done with it---I understand all the advice to save $$$--but sometimes it's just not worth it---I tried the plug in coolers-ice-ect-ect-ect----what a pain in the a--good luck---Steve

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Where to get Fridge

Why can't you just put the free standing fridge into the cabinet as is?
Why does the shell have to be off other than to make it slightly smaller.
One note would to see about venting needed to the backside versus just the front bottom on built-in units.