[C38] Refrigeration compressor location

[Philip Gay]

One of the first additions to Que Linda was an Adler Barber unit which I
mounted on a shelf I installed as high in the sail locker as possible.
Then I added a duct which pulled air from the galley to cool the air cooled
compressor.  The plastic adaptor for the duct was available from Adler
Barber.  The unit I installed used a horizontal freezer bin evaporator with
a fold down door.  I insulated between the bottom and the outboard side of
the ice box with low expansion blown in foam.  I used closed cell foam
glued under the counter top.  My challenge was always the engine side which
had very little clearance between it and the engine.  I thought that a
custom rigid evacuated foam panel might be the solution.  It made a lot of
ice cubes but couldn't keep ice cream hard.
Phil Gay
missing my C38 Que Linda 049
Everett, WA

On Wed, Nov 18, 2020 at 10:49 AM Max soto <maxsoto at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Chuck, that’s very good information.  I do have insulation all
> around my engine room, and you are right, it makes a huge difference.  I’m
> planning to follow a diagram that I have from Catalina to drill holes
> inside the icebox so I can fill the voids with polyurethane spray foam.
> The cold plate seems like the best way to. Go for extended cruising, so in
> may case I thing that a regular vertical bin evaporator will do the trick.
> I’m planning to install an air cooled Frigoboat unit with a BD50
> compressor.
> Thinking that leading the tubing from under the sink to the icebox might
> be challenging, so the sail locker doesn’t sounds that bad.
> Regards,
> Max Soto A.
> +506-8312-1367
> Alajuela, Costa Rica
>
> > On Nov 18, 2020, at 09:59, Charles Finn <Charles at finn.ws> wrote:
> >
> > I installed a Dometic/Norcold fridge from Defender back in 2007. Cut
> out part of the icebox space next to the engine wall and the unit just fit
> in with room to put a layer of real insulation (sound down) on the engine
> wall.  I was shocked to discover the original insulation had long ago
> deteriorated into dust and my ice box was being heated by the engine!!!  I
> have 200 watts of solar and am able to turn the fridge on in the spring and
> off in the fall with cold food and even some ice cubes.
> >
> > If you are going to cool the icebox...  you will first need to insulate
> it!  My thought was to insulate inside the box and then finish inside with
> plastic shower panels (don't forget to put a drain in).   I would also go
> with the cold plate even though it is a bit more.
> >
> > Location for the compressor is also a challenge.   First and best
> location is in the sail locker, but it gets warm if there if you have not
> insulated your engine compartment.  After finally getting around to
> installing the Sound Down this year...  I have to say this was one of the
> dumbest things that I didn't do for years! You cannot believe how much
> nicer it is in the cabin and cockpit underway with the insulation!!!
> > Second location is under the sink location or under the port settee, but
> as we know this is the wet side of the bilge and that can be a problem. It
> is also a bit noisy in the cabin at night.
> >
> > IF I was to do this again... I would go with the conversion of the
> icebox with the cold plate.  A bit more work, but I think a better long run
> solution.  On the other hand, installing the fridge only required a sawsall
> and and afternoon!
> >
> > Let us know how it turns out!
> > Chuck Finn
> > Mighty Quinn  #114
> > Lake Superior
> >
> >> On 11/17/2020 10:17 PM, Max soto wrote:
> >> Planning to install a refrigeration system soon.  Would like to know
> which are the most common places were compressors are installed on other
> 38s.   So far my two options are: on the shelf inside the sail locker
> (available on 1980 and later models), or below the sink.
> >> Pics would help!
> >>
> >> Regards
> >>
> >> Max Soto A.
> >> C38 Estancia #198
> >> Puntarenas, Costa Rica
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