BOAT wrote:Summer is like a master boat builder. You guys must be living on those boats for long periods. wow.
Sumner can fabricate just about anything. He's got serious skillz. Especially if it's made of metal. His wife is pretty good at making stuff too. He also uses his boat for weeks out at a time. Very cool.
We never stay at the dock. Spend several days out at a time. Fridge and water systems are essential.
BOAT wrote:So Summer says the big refer uses less juice than the one you guys have that is not a built in. Howd he do dat?
Reading Sumner's blog, it comes down to insulation and probably more efficient design. His website is chock full of useful information. His fridge build is another work of art.
The portable cooler limits the insulation. I'm going to try to wrap it with something to see if it helps.
I guess it's okay because we did not plan on spending weeks on the boat - still - Summer has some kind of secret going there - Summer buys the compressor unit all by itself, and I have seen those on the internet and the prices are VERY GOOD (better than the price of the entire cooler that everyone else is using). So by now you might have already figured out where I'm going with this:
Why not super insulate one of the lower compartments of the MAC M ? (You see where I'm going?)
BOAT wrote:Why not super insulate one of the lower compartments of the MAC M ? (You see where I'm going?)
That may be what Sumner meant by custom build one instead. That would probably work very well. Especially the compartment next to the galley. Makes a lot of sense as it would be top loading and efficient. You could even build a side door for condiments.
Not sure it would be cheaper though. Defender has the compressor for about $800 and another $450 for an evaporator. My portable fridge was approx $500 including free shipping. Doesn't hold much but is adequate for our needs. The downside of our portable fridge it sits next to the galley. We don't move the galley back so it's not a problem. We also NEVER use the seat opposite the head. Who wants to sit there? But it is not an elegant solution like your idea.
Eeh, if this thing ever breaks I may go that route. Would still take skilz and I know it would never look as professional as Sumner's work. But a brilliant idea nevertheless.
Would still take skilz and I know it would never look as professional as Sumner's work
Yeah, that IS the problem, but really - there is a small compartment right next to the galley, or even better a HUGE compartment right accross from it. Someone with Summers skills could totally insulate that compartment - and it's like you said TOP LOADING just like on the big sailboats! (hull, with that I would be ready for a gimbaled stove! - just kidding), but you get the idea - a more 'ship like' and professional galley.
Also, I found the compressores WAY cheaper at the RV discount places - the marine stors are too expensive.
But the cost is not the issue, it's the POWER DRAW!! I can't quabble about the difference between 500 or 700 dollars. Big deal - I'm talking a professional reefer - top loading - with LESS DRAW!!
BOAT wrote:there is a small compartment right next to the galley, or even better a HUGE compartment right accross from it. Someone with Summers skills could totally insulate that compartment - and it's like you said TOP LOADING just like on the big sailboats!
Also, I found the compressores WAY cheaper at the RV discount places - the marine stors are too expensive.
But the cost is not the issue, it's the POWER DRAW!! I can't quabble about the difference between 500 or 700 dollars. Big deal - I'm talking a professional reefer - top loading - with LESS DRAW!!
How can you beat that?
Okay, thanks for planting that idea in my head. Dang! Now I'm going to have to google RV compressors.
Ahh.. I have my second trailer axle to install next week. Maybe next year.
Maybe Summer might help us by telling us what kind of insulation to buy and how to cut it and shape it to the countours of the hull and that compartment. Right now the only thing I have in there screwed down is the battery selector switch and the charger but I can move those anytime. I'm thinking glue in or foam in real good insulating foam and then figure out how to create the waterproof liner (that's the hard part) not to mention all the referigerator works (but the one I saw just sit next to the reefet and has a tube going into the reefer where is feeds a plate like thing that gets cold.
I think I already read here somewhaere of a guy that fully insulated a compartment in his MAC and he was using dry ice in it. I wonder how he did it? I will try to find the blog.
Sumner posts the link in his signature. Every detail of every mod, all illustrated. Quite a wealth of knowledge to be found.
If you can follow directions, you can DIY.
jimbo wrote:How do you. Let the air in as the water goes out?
I think I can see a little plug near the handle. Is that removed for the "in service" container?
I never open the vent. The tube going into the valve down to the bottom of the jug has enough slack that air vents back in. I was surprised as I fully expected it to collapse the jug, but it doesn't. Never seems to leak water either.
I then push the thinner supply line into the tube sticking out of the jug. Friction holds them together without clamps. Amazingly simple, watertight and it works. I stole this idea from another Mac owner.
If I recall, I did have to drill out the valve to allow the tube to fit in.
I can't do that.
