Propane Refrigeration
Jacqueline Kruger
an alternative to AC or an ice box)?
Thanks, Jacqueline
Cap'n Rodger
emunter
What is a problem is that they have to be kept level to operate and this
might not be practical on a boat. In any case, Camping World
www.campingworld.com sells them for the RVers. Good luck.
Fred
Cap'n Rodger wrote in message <35E6115B...@earthling.net>...
Phaon Reid
>
> Does anyone know where I might find information on propane refrigeration (or
> an alternative to AC or an ice box)?
>
> Thanks, Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline
I use a propane refrigerator on my boat. The type is Camping Gaz
CTL175, and it is made for camper vans. It will also run off mains
electricity or 12 volts - I don't recommend the 12 volt option, it is
not very efficient.
As there are no moving parts it is totally reliable although, since it
was not designed for the marine environment it is showing a few specks
of rust after 3-4 years on board. I bought mine (used) for the
equivalent of US$90 and have been absolutely delighted with it. So many
people have endless problems with their complex, expensive marine
refrigeration systems - if you want to make good money in the Caribbean,
you should train as a refrigeration engineer.
It uses one of the blue Camping Gaz cylinders about every two weeks if
you leave it on all the time. The gas is so cheap in the southern
Caribbean that the expense is negliblible.
As someone else said, it doesn't work when the boat is heeling. At
anchor or motoring it is fine. Also, it does give out some heat, so
ventilation needs to be considered.
It doesn't get cold enough to make significant amounts of ice, but it
keeps the beer cool and the food fresh.
There's a bit about it on my web site.
Good Sailing
Phaon Reid
S/Y Avalon of Arne
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6076
Ron Dwelle
commercial size freezers.
I have a small portable unit on board (runs on 12V and 120V as well as
propane) and it works well. It's a Dometic (brand). It's about the size
of an Igloo cooler. I didn't do a built-in model, since they were all
front-opening and I wanted a top-opening unit.
We use ours weekending and for an extended (8-week) cruise each summer.
It uses less than 20-lbs of propane during a season.
I understand they also make CNG versions. I might consider that instead,
since CNG is somewhat safer aboard than LP. (I'd have to convert my
propane stove as well.(
RV has a web page:
There are other dealers (mostly RV dealers) for the units.
captk...@webtv.net
http://dometic.com:80/products/rv/dometic/portables.html
aside from concerns about the by products of heat and CO2, and propane
leaks/ bilge accumulation (the BAM factor!), already covered in numerous
posts here currently and available at deja news as previous posts on
this subject. Heres my $0.04 worth: I really liked
not having to run my engine daily to replace elect energy consumed for
refrigeration. A _Very_ big + _But_ the Adsorbtion
type refrigerators/freezers _Are_ manufactured /engineered for RV use.
The cooling coils and guts are for the most part painted steel which
may give reliable service in an RV environment.
My Low Hour _but_ out of warrenty :-(
freezer model leaked out the fluid and quit working. I contacted Dometic
for the nearest service center as this model was only a few years old
BUT had VERY little use and I considered it worth repair but was told by
the service center there is NO repair, (cannot be recharged with the
ammonia stuff) to repair the unit they replace the whole cooling assy,
the cost of which with/without labor means these units are DISPOSABLE.
(no repair anywhere, much less in the field) This may be a concern for
those plannng extended voyages, depending on a single refrigeration
type.
I am still pro propane refrig. , (no round the world trips in my future
on my boat), but I do not believe I have seen the service aspect of
propane addressed, maybe everybody knows these units are not servicable,
(here at home much less in the field) but it was news to me..
captk...@webtv.net
were described to me to be. I will contact them on the cost of rebuilt
cooling coils for my freezer.
Ed Walker
You'll be getting an earful of comments about this. To answer YOUR question,
however, find the number for Dometic. You can get a number from any RV
supply store. I have had a Dometic propane fridge for several years on my
catamaran and love it.
Ed Walker
Jacqueline Kruger wrote in message ...
captk...@webtv.net
unit repairs) with my model and serial number and they got right back
with me. The mail started " Robert, your options aren't very good. The
FC 140 doesn't have a removable cooling unit and Dometic has
discontinued that model." Let the moral of the story be that if you are
going to invest in an ammonia absorption type unit you may do well to
investigate _if_ the model has a removable cooling unit! If you did not
get the model freezer I bought the unit may be worth fixing...Their addy
is worth saving if you have an ammonia unit. here it is again,
http://www.rvmobile.com/
JAXAshby
>an alternative to AC or an ice box)?
>
>Thanks, Jacqueline
>
>
West Marine sells (though no longer listed in their catalog) a portable
110v/12v/propane cooler (about $399, as I recall.) Lehman's "Non-Electric
Catalog" (ph 330/857-5757) sells propane, and even kerosene, refrigerators and
even freezers. J.C. Whitney (ph 312/431-6102) sells Norcold 110/12/propane
refrigerators in various sizes for the RV market.