Refrigerator

[Inquisitor]

Here is the usage over an eight hour period where it was already at the low temperature and not opened. aka minimum electrical draw when used as a fridge. Conditions:
Ambient: 68°F
Thermostat setting: 37°F (Delta = -31°F)
Mode setting: ECO

These are AC adapter usages. Doing some reading, I see these adapters can be 50%-90% efficient. Once installed in the boat on the 12 VDC source they should be more efficient. Also, I will be adding, at least 2 more inches of foam insulation. So these number should go down.

When the compressor is running: 35 watts.
Average over 8 hour period: 9.03 watts.

This test was more about how well insulated. Since its not opened, its about how much cold is lost through the walls causing the thermostat to kick back on. Gives a duty cycle of 26%.

Another CON observation: The fridge section was hovering around 50°F when freezer is set to 37°F. To be expected since its not regulated.

[C Buchs]

I'm in the middle of a fridge install in my . I picked a Massimo CX40. This is the same as the Alpicool. I found a bunch of reviews by some camper van YouTubers. Costco had them on sale for $260. Below are some pictures of my install so far.







So far I've run 12V wiring over to it and built one of the two supports that I plan to put under it. The plan is to have the middle of it sit on the beam that runs through that part of the bilge and have supports under each end. Then I'll build a new hatch cover from HDPE with a cutout that goes around the parameter. I'm hoping that will keep it in place. The seat will be a little over an inch taller than the original, but with the cushion on, it's not too noticeable. I'm also hoping that sitting on the buttons through the cushion won't change any settings. We don't usually sit all the way in that corner.

Jeff

[Inquisitor]

I don't think anyone's going to beat that price. What are you expecting to power it with... just the one extra house battery or do you have the whole kit and caboodle... solar panels, batteries, inverters...

AND... where is everyone getting this HDPE? I've seen multiple projects and people talk like you can just run down and get it at the local HomeDepot for the price of a sheet of plywood.

[C Buchs]

I just have two batteries that power everything. I'm in a slip with shore power, but really plan to use this cooler on trips. I have a way to monitor my batteries. I'm looking forward to seeing how they hold up.

Jeff

[C Buchs]

I've been looking around for HDPE. So far I'm leaning toward https://www.grainger.com/ They have 4X8' sheets that are 3/8" thick for $215. I'm hoping I can pick up at a local location and not have to pay the freight. On a you can replace all the hatches, but one, with one 4X8' sheet. I think I can use the cooler cutout for that last hatch! If that doesn't work, I'll have to buy one extra smaller piece or just leave one hatch original.

Jeff

[Inquisitor]

I might have mentioned in the Inqism-03 Electrifying project, I'm on another forum learning about solar panels, Lithium batteries and all the components necessary to put a system together. I ask a lot of questions over there also. I'm not sure if there is as much interest here, but for those that may be interested in a efficient electric fridge, I wanted to give a link to get you started in your research. I started a thread about the refrigerator over there as well and have been far more thorough and technical https://diysolarforum.com/threads/refri ... les.15862/ and people over there have made some recommendations. I was clued-in to a YouTube testing of the expensive / name brands: SnoMaster, ARB, Engel and Waeco. All are $1000+/- units. I've been re-creating the same tests on this Aspenora and so far it is doing VERY well. Considering it costs a third or quarter of the price is even more surprising. It is also 25% bigger than any of the tested units. So far I've run two of the YouTube tests...

• The Aspenora cooled faster and further in the two hour test.
• It was more efficient than all but one in that two hour cool-down test. The Engel was about 10% more efficient, but they also said the Engel didn't cool down very well.

[Jimmyt]

I might have mentioned in the MX-3 Electrifying project, I'm on another forum learning about solar panels, Lithium batteries and all the components necessary to put a system together. I ask a lot of questions over there also. I'm not sure if there is as much interest here, but for those that may be interested in a efficient electric fridge, I wanted to give a link to get you started in your research. I started a thread about the refrigerator over there as well and have been far more thorough and technical https://diysolarforum.com/threads/refri ... les.15862/ and people over there have made some recommendations. I was clued-in to a YouTube testing of the expensive / name brands: SnoMaster, ARB, Engel and Waeco. All are $1000+/- units. I've been re-creating the same tests on this Aspenora and so far it is doing VERY well. Considering it costs a third or quarter of the price is even more surprising. It is also 25% bigger than any of the tested units. So far I've run two of the YouTube tests...

• The Aspenora cooled faster and further in the two hour test.
• It was more efficient than all but one in that two hour cool-down test. The Engel was about 10% more efficient, but they also said the Engel didn't cool down very well.

Thanks for documenting all of your process! And thanks especially for the testing documentation. That will be a great resource for folks who are planning refrigeration projects, or want to take a serious look to see if they want to do a refrigeration project.

[Inquisitor]

I wanted to add some real-world results. We went to Florida. The temperatures were only in 70's and 80's during the day, 60's at night.

The fridge was hard mounted in the boat, but no extra insulation or cabinetry has been added around it yet. Once in the cabinetry, it will reduce the sound and the improved insulation should reduce the energy usage even more than the already low number. I do want to say it was louder than when I tested it in the house. All the hard fiberglass around it and rigidly mounted seemed to increase the sound. It didn't, however, keep either one of us awake.

The fridge was set for 37F as we just had plenty of beer, Gatorade and snacks for the trip. No ice type requirements. It got opened quite a bit on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After getting back, I left the fridge on and in the boat the following week to get seven days of usage. Although not opened during this period, and even though ambient wasn't in the 70's and 80's, the boat when closed up got considerably hotter.

Total usage on the battery for the 7 days was right at 120 Ah.

This is still not an accurate number as it also included a composting head fan running 24/7 and charging three phones and a tablet a couple of times.
The fridge (and other trivial loads) averaged 8.6 watts over the seven days. Less than one of the stock bulbs in the boat.

[Jimmyt]

Excellent info! Thanks!

[Sheppie62]

I just made this fridge mount, it’s bolted to seat base directly across from dining table. It protrudes into walkway a bit, but doesn’t see to interfere much. We put 2 medium size coolers in original cooler area with frozen water bottles for the less perishable items. Then drink water as it unthaws. Fridge just has bunge cords so far, will bolt down more secure soon. I glued pieces of truck mud flaps to prevent the fridge from chafing on edges. May put a few rectangular hatches on face of base area to access the area below it for storage, or just move fridge to access from the top, but fridge is pretty heavy when loaded up.

[C Buchs]

I just have two batteries that power everything. I'm in a slip with shore power, but really plan to use this cooler on trips. I have a way to monitor my batteries. I'm looking forward to seeing how they hold up.

Jeff

I don't have very scientific information on how this is working. I brought the boat home before a trip, filled the cooler, and didn't plug the boat into shore power. Set at 34 degrees F, the cooler lasted two days before the low power setting turned it off. The boat was in full sun with an ambient temperature range of 50-75. At that point, I was still able to start my outboard. We took it on a weekend trip to Lake Billy Chinook and it only lasted a day and a half. The temperature was around 90 during the day and we were opening it every couple of hours. We did some motoring around, but I never could get the batteries fully charged back up.

I need to spend some time understanding/monitoring my battery setup. I replaced the group 24 (I think) marine deep cycle batteries when I bought the boat 5 years ago. The only monitoring I have is a voltage gauge. I don't have a selector switch. My batteries use this https://www.yandina.com/acrobats/C50Data.pdf West Marine Combiner 50. I'll provide another update when I can measure the amperage draw.

Below is an updated picture of my physical install:



It sticks up about 1.5 inches, but with the cushion on you really don't notice it.

Jeff

[Inquisitor]

I just have two batteries that power everything. I'm in a slip with shore power, but really plan to use this cooler on trips. I have a way to monitor my batteries. I'm looking forward to seeing how they hold up.

Jeff

I don't have very scientific information on how this is working. I brought the boat home before a trip, filled the cooler, and didn't plug the boat into shore power. Set at 34 degrees F, the cooler lasted two days before the low power setting turned it off. The boat was in full sun with an ambient temperature range of 50-75. At that point, I was still able to start my outboard. We took it on a weekend trip to Lake Billy Chinook and it only lasted a day and a half. The temperature was around 90 during the day and we were opening it every couple of hours. We did some motoring around, but I never could get the batteries fully charged back up.

I need to spend some time understanding/monitoring my battery setup. I replaced the group 24 (I think) marine deep cycle batteries when I bought the boat 5 years ago. The only monitoring I have is a voltage gauge. I don't have a selector switch. My batteries use this https://www.yandina.com/acrobats/C50Data.pdf West Marine Combiner 50. I'll provide another update when I can measure the amperage draw.

Below is an updated picture of my physical install:



It sticks up about 1.5 inches, but with the cushion on you really don't notice it.

Jeff

Even the old, free Harbor Freight volt meters can give you current usage. They can handle up to 10 amps which should be plenty to see the current draw of the fridge. Just don't try it for current draw with anything else.

Pretty cool Combiner... when charging let's it charge both, but when drawing keeps them separate so you don't deplete the starter battery.

[Highlander]

I bought these about a 1 1/2 yrs ago & they have been running that long as I use them in the boat & in the condo in the winter




The Joytutus will fit inside the storage space under the front dining seat on the M
In the winter I keep them in the condo & they double a freezers for my home made soups & stews when I make 16ltr pot of stew & 20ltr pot of soup I,m set for easy home made meals all winter

In the boat I use the bigger one as a fridge & the smaller as a freezer if u set them mid range they can b fridge on top & freezer on bottom
the Joytutus I got on sale for $234 can & the dometic I got on sale for $600 Can both had free shipping

J

[adudinsk]

One of the guys at the club (owns an engineering firm) he swears by an Engel electric cooler unit.
It SIPS power.. and cools like crazy. He used them on many remote job sites.
They are like a compressor unit.. but a much different compressor that almost looks like a shake weight (you know those stupid things that you shake to build muscles..) and magnetism. Called an Engel Swing Motor..

He has a Fridge Freezer unit... and boy does it work well.. Runs on 12v-24v-120v (many other versions available)
They have units that look like a bar fridge.. and ones that look like a cooler.. (but can cool/freeze)
For instance.. a 48 quart unit.. thats like a bar fridge will use max 0.7-2.8a at 12V.. A 50w solar panel will run it all day with EASE

Most cooler style ones draw 1-2 amps at 12v per hour... and hold a freeze!

Pros- built like a tank... low power consumption.. 3yr warranty
Cons - Yeah.. they are not cheap.

https://engelcoolers.com/collections/po ... e-freezers

[Inquisitor]

The Engel's are an old gold standard, but they don't have an advantage on power usage any more. They may have on built-like-a-tank-longevity, but that's up for grabs too... to early to tell. Many YouTube comparison tests will compare these Chinese knock-offs to Dometic, Waeco and/or Engel and often show higher efficiencies and faster chill time as compared to the Engels.

The O.P. 55 quart fridge used an average of 0.7 amps over seven days (in Florida for three days and closed up in NC sun for another four days). It reached 100F inside the boat several times. Fridge was set to 37F during this usage, but can be set to anything down to -4F.