Hi Guys
Because Ive fitted my stove where it is I have to move where the sink was . I am fitting it in the same cabinet as the original fridge is .
What concerns me is the original fridge has a top opening lid so to me I would or might have water issues from the sink .
So I am thinking of fitting a Engles up right SR70F the capacity will be ok (57lites) as Ill be also making another later on in a different location . Mainly for longer periods and would not be used regularly at this stage


I quite like the compressors on these as there do not mind working on angles and you must admit Engles do have a reasonable reputation
In doing this it means the complete bench top can be utilized for food prep as Id make cover for the sink.
The original fridge has to go there is not option and I will be making new bench tops any way
Just wonder what your opinion of this before I start.

Front opening fridges are convenient, but very inefficient. Every time you open the door all the cold air falls out. Door sealing is harder to do as well. Since a fridge is a big power demand, you want the most efficient design possible. I would stick with a top loader. They usually have some form of bottom drain.

Definitely convenient, to access items from fridge like that than lifting out all sorts of stuff to get something.. so if cold air spills out.. obviously the engel compressor would start up, i can think of auto start generators to kick in if no sun or wind.. since that benchtop space really is precious. less strenous than dealing with all sorts of stuff that find their way on benchtops and fridge, need to make meals so often it isnt funny.

I am with Yara. Top loading fridge is the only way to go.

The door/lid can't swing open in a seaway and spill the contents to the cabin sole.

That is what I love about yachts. They are so logical.

Hello HG02, "6 inches"

Yeah, I've look and pondered and thought and wished about having one of these prefabricated upright fridges in the boat and probably would if I could find one with enough insulation built in to cut the power bill. I'm sure I could fit a lock to keep the door closed and the fridge wouldn't be opened very often, so loosing cold air each time wouldn't be an issue. But it's the piss poor insulation that stops me in my tracks. I stole the graph below from the OZ Fridge web site and it tells it's own story. When living aboard, the power has to come from somewhere and this is where the cats with enough space to install a tennis court, can add solar panels to cover the lack of insulation. But me, on my mono, I have to be a lot more power conscious, as solar panel mounting locations are a bit scarce. Cheers

www.ozefridge.com/?page_id=28

What about use best economical fridge / freezer Engel on SS rails.
Safe you to modified bench top and manageable electricity consumption.
We did similar arrangement on Troopy, plenty offroad bashing, never had a problem.

The Engels ST90F has a very good compressor as you say the problem is the insulation
At some stage early next year Im getting some Aerogel Cryogel Z Insulation its for a freeze project that im doing for my forward cabin entrance.
For me the ST90F fits in to where the old fridge was and gives me room for my sink . I removed the old 30 year old fridge last weekend . To me it wasted space and needed to be updated also I need the room for my sink in the same cabinet.
What I may do it see if the engels can be re insulated with Aerogel as well and the other longer term project Ill be doing. I got a work discount on the Engels .
I may see what can be done to improve its power usage because of its current insulation perhaps I can remotely fit the compressor and then insulate the out side of the fridge .I'm not a person that worries about warranty much .
The other option was going to be much more expensive .
Ive lived out of a Engels many times over the years up the territory( early 70's)and other places there a very reliable fridge and I do like the Sawafuji swing motor as it will run on very high angles . The main problem would be the insulation and Ill over come that problem some how. Bit of time and TLC



Im hoping to fit a small ice box in the cockpit seat storage compartment and use Techni Ice Heavy Duty Reusable Dry Ice packs which id change over from the fridge so the fridge wont be open to long during the day.
The other option I was thinking about is use a Techinice ice box and add my own fridge inside ( more insulation and aero gel)
These ice boxes are reasonable good at holding ice for long periods
http://www.techniice.com/ice-boxes/signature-series.html.
The one thing that I dont like with having a top opening fridge is contamination and and If I have some thing on top of the bench top I have to move it to open the fridge When I fit my sink Ill also make a cut out thats fits over the sink to make the bench top complete ( cutting board /sink cover)
Heres what left of the fridge cabinet you ready for it Donk



The Engels fits in the left hand side and sink on the right and a set of draws under the sink roughly 400 cm wide.
Maybe Ill use some of my Teak window shutters as trim

what is aerogel ?

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SandS said..
what is aerogel ?

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Theres one bloke on cruiser forums after fitting aerogel to his fridge started to worry when his compressor didn't come on for over 6 days he turned the thermostat up just to check and it powered up
Its not cheap but if you think about the costs of larger solar panels and energy used it start to make sense over a long period of time it last for 70 years as a fridge insulation
www.aerogel.com.au/industries/appliance

Hey HG02, I see from the Aerogel Cryogel Z Insulation web site that is is suppose to be twice as good a PIR (modified polyeuthane). Have you got prices or a supplier willing to sell small amounts or you do you know how to get you hands on some. The web site appears to be aimed at big industry.

The guy on the web forum must have used a lot of this stuff to get 6 days between compressor starts. Or maybe he's deaf like me and just didn't hear it.

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Crusoe said..
Hey HG02, I see from the Aerogel Cryogel Z Insulation web site that is is suppose to be twice as good a PIR (modified polyeuthane). Have you got prices or a supplier willing to sell small amounts or you do you know how to get you hands on some. The web site appears to be aimed at big industry.

The guy on the web forum must have used a lot of this stuff to get 6 days between compressor starts. Or maybe he's deaf like me and just didn't hear it.

www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/building-a-reefer-box-with-aerogel-75006.html


www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/aerogel-spaceloft-insulation-for-fridge-freezer-58888.html

that is good stuff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/aerogels-to-drop-by-90-percent-in-price
Just found this while cruising the INTERNET hope it works out

Areogel Cryogel Z insulation . I bought some so now I need a few good links for fridge freezer box building ,has any one got any good links for me please?

Hi Hg

The way you chop up the inside of your boat means you are a braver man than i am

Regards Don

Yes I know what you mean but for me is like to make it more liveable to suit me
The old fridge was an old fridge not enough insulation for a Live a board It also had an old power hungry petrified fridge system aboard Plus as I've altered the other side to accommodate my head and stove the sink has to go else where
The fridge cabinet was not used to its potential
Meaning it took up the whole cabinet and it does not need to
I can fit a larger capacity fridge and still have space for a sink us a few other options which you will see in a month or so
I've not altered the hulls structural strength anywhere
To me there was no way is work on a boat that I can't get complete access to every part of the engine compartment
Now I can