Refrigeration

[Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC]

I'm looking at refrigeration ... has anyone used either the cold keelers by Isotherm or Frigoboat?   

How effective are they and what if any issues have you had.

Is there any experience with the automatic speed controllers.

[George Berntsen]

I replaced my original refrigeration system with an Isotherm GE150 air-cooled compressor and a flat plate evaporator in place of the original "ice box" evaporator. 

Very happy with it.

I'm not familiar with the term "cold keeler". Does that refer to a watercooler compressor connected to a thru-hole?

[Ed S]

What model boat and where are you?

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 21, 2025, at 21:50, George Berntsen <gpber...@gmail.com> wrote:

I replaced my original refrigeration system with an Isotherm GE150 air-cooled compressor and a flat plate evaporator in place of the original "ice box" evaporator. 

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[Barry Connell]

I’ve had great experiences with the Seafront systems.

Barry Connell

Newburyport, MA

N36 Nocturne

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[Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT]

Hi Thor,

Last season ( our first with Soave ) her fridge failed to maintain it's target temps on hot days.  I did a needs analysis and searched for options.  

In areas that are very hot ( like Caribbean )  a water cooled system makes sense, if you are comfortable with the complexity of the added plumbing and hull penetration.  In more moderate climates,  air cooled systems look more attractive.  I noticed that Canadian boats often locate their fridge compressor/ condenser in the cabin while boats further north normally put it aft in the engine compartment.  

Soave's condenser is in her engine compartment, on hot days the closed compartment can sometimes reach 110ºF.

To make a very long story short, Soave is a 1980's vintage boat with a retrofitted 2010's Isotherm compressor.  The system "works" but it is not even close to the efficiency of present day systems.  Which have the following advantages :

1. Inverter compressors which have the ability to adapt to the cooling load.  No more cycling on an off, the compressor can run at a very low and efficient level until more cooling is needed.  Midea has a very nice implementation of this in some of their window AC units.  In time this will find it's way to marine refrigeration.
2. Well insulated, properly sealed compartments.  The most effective way to reduce cooling load.
3. Remote monitoring.  Surprisingly handy to provide early detection of problems or simple stuff like a door left open.

In the end I bought a $75 set of refrigeration gauges and recharged my oldish Isotherm system.  It's just completing it's second season since the recharge. The  couplings I tightened before the recharge were probably leaking.

I'm hoping the next generation of marine fridges will catch-up.  If Soave's fridge dies too soon, I'll probably look at RV refrigeration equipment as an option.  There are some very nice self-contained units that can be powered by either A/C or DC power sources.  Dometic CFX2 is a highly regarded portable.

For now we'll keep nursing our Isotherm.  

My intuition is that for a northern boat like your's, an air cooled condenser will be the favored option.  You may benefit from placing it in the cabin to mitigate humidity.  

Good luck in your search if you find an option the works for you, please share.

Rob

s/v SOAVE

NS33 #009

Cedar Point YC

Westport, CT

On Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 1:38:48 PM UTC-4 Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC wrote:

[Don Crossley]

Thor,

My 1987 NS30U has a Canadian manufactured (Coquitlam, BC) Nova Kool refrigeration system, model LT201. The external components are mounted on a shelf behind the stove, and next to the cooler compartment. Better efficiency as it is closer to cooler, and not subject to engine heat. Depending on weather conditions, my two 100 watt solar panels can generate more than enough power to run the Nova Kool refrigeration system.

Cheers,

Don

s/v Breezin'

[Bruce Pennycook]

I installed a NovaKool on a 1981 NS26C. 

Main system (coils, compressor) are below the port aft lazarette.

Works great.

Bruce Pennycook

1981 NS 26C

Aleaha

Belleville Ontario

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[Joe Valinoti]

I have the original Adler Barbour from 1984.  Not sure about the PO, but in 22 years, I’ve never had to do anything to it (maybe the fan).  It’s also on a shelf under the stove.  It will still make ice.

 

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

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[gpberntsen]

Sorry, I forgot to add that.

NS30U, Connecticut 

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

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[Aloki / Oyster Bay NY]

In latitudes about 41 north x 74 west here - I replaced a 30+ yr old Adler harbor with a frigaboat . Amp use went from solid 5A down to 3A . Mounted mine on top shelf in engine room with a fresh air intake to the coil from a cowl along the coaming. Works great a year on.

Gary/ Aloki / oyster bay ny