Refrigeration - resources for cruising sailors

The Cold Facts

[Article]

Comparative Tests By Joe Minick
The Cold Facts

Extensive tests of refrigeration systems for capacity and efficiency. Systems from Adler/Barbour, Grunert, Glacier Bay, Sea Frost, TechNautics, and Technicold were included. Evaporator and holdover technologies, DC and engine-driven. Educational, even if specific products are out of date.

[Cruising World, June 1995]
- The refrigerator tests

Refrigeration Survey

[Offline]

Cruiser survey

What users think of their DC-powered mechanical refrigeration equipment. Covers holding-plate and evaporator systems, air- or water-cooled, driven by engine or electricity. Lots of quotes,

[Practical Sailor, 1 April 2003]
- Preview the Practical Sailor back issue

Felicity

[Site]

Personal Website Felicity

A couple who have completed at 10,000-mile tour of the Pacific on a 31-foot cutter talk about what equipment they chose and how it worked, including a replacement fridge..

[Ken Machtley / Cathy Siegismund, Redmond, WA, USA]
- The cruising equipment report

Grunert refrigeration

[Vendor]

Manufacturer Grunert refrigeration

Maker of holdover plate and evaporator plate refrigeration equipment. Also makes air conditioning systems.

[Grunert - Taylor Made Environmental, Inc., Pompano Beach, FL, USA]
- The Grunert fridge systems
- Worldwide distributors

Vacuum insulation panels

[Vendor]

Dealer

Vacuum panels for fridge and freezer construction. Custom rectangular or complex shapes available.

[Rparts, Berkeley, CA, USA]
- The vacuum panel selection
- Tips on installation

Cruisair refrigeration

[Vendor]

Manufacturer Cruisair refrigeration

Custom refrigeration units from an air conditioner manufacturer.

[Cruisair, Richmond, VA, USA]
- The refrigeration systems

TropiKool marine refrigeration

[Vendor]

Manufacturer TropiKool marine refrigeration

A linear electric motor drives this refrigeration system based on the unusual Stirling cooler technology, with few moving parts and no environmentally bad gas. Will operate in 20 degrees more heat than traditional technologies.

[AvXcel, Inc., Vista, CA, USA]
- See the refrigerator system
- Refrigeration FAQ
- The Stirling technology

Glacier Bay refrigeration

[Vendor]

Manufacturer Glacier Bay refrigeration

Proprietary refrigeration systems and vacuum insulation panels for ice box walls and insulating materials for refrigerator and freezer doors. Also make custom cold boxes to drawings. Clear descriptive information, technical and installation drawings, and Q&A′s about how their products work.

[Glacier Bay, Inc., Oakland, CA, USA]
- Glacier Bay fridge systems
- Installation schematic
- Test results against competitive products

Planet DC refrigerators and freezers

[Vendor]

Dealer

Line of 12- and 24-volt front-opening fridges for off-grid, boat and RV use, claims high energy efficiency. Lots of DIY technical information, including on-line forum, on their site.

[Rparts, Berkeley, CA, USA]
- The Planet DC fridge and freezer selection