Hi End Coolers

I have not used the Waeco freezer/refrig, but it is something I might consider if my Norcold gave out. (only had it 12 years--the previous one I owned over 15 years--and i abused it--got salt spray on the motor part).

The Waeco uses the Danfoss compressor, which is considered to be a very good compressor. All of these units suffer from the compressor being near the box--incorporated within the box itself--and relitatively thin insullation. Best would be thicker insullation and the compresser mounted out away from the box, with good air flow--but this would not sell, even if it is more effecient.

Nova Kool, Tundra use these same compressors and have excellent reputation. If I was replcing the refigerator in the CD 25, I probably would use one of the Tundra or Nova Kool's freezer in the same space. But Waeco would be high on the list--and I think you could put a slide out, like I have done in the Tom Cat, under the Cd's helm seat.
 
Brent (Discovery) has a WAECO, mounted in the same way as Bob's. I like the idea so I am planning to replace my current fridge with one for freezing and use the cooler for refrigeration.

Warren
 
I always been impressed with the commericial type ice chests or coolers used by restaurants and caterers. New ones are expensive but used are very common in food industry auctions listed in the local newspapers. They are beatup but built so well that still function well. Maybe they can be repaired and repainted.
I have seen a lot of 30 go for $200


ex
http://www.frigidrigid.com/chests/chests.htm
 
Another solution that costs a LOT less is simply to line the inside (bottom, sides and top) of an inexpensive cooler with foil-faced bubble insulation from Home Depot or Lowes. We did this and the ice keeping time improved dramatically. We generally use two blocks of ice and double bag it.
 
Me, too I used left over AL foil lined polystryene insulation and plywood to built a 3 beer keg cooler for Indy 500 parties. Ice usage decreased from 200 lbs to 40 lbs and the kegs were still was ice cold after 4 days but the beer was gone. Ice down the kegs on Thursday pm and returnm Tuesday am after Memorial day holiday. We used the ectra space for hot dogs, hamburger, steaks, chicken, shrimp, veggies,, the grill
 
At the boat shows, home shows, etc. there is often a vendor selling sheets of a bubble-wrap-like cooler insulation material from Australia. You get it wet before first use. Anyone buy this stuff and use it? Is there a source on the Internet for it?

Thanks,
Warren
 
I have a 12V Coleman, $80 size, that I lined inside & lid with 1/2" foil faced foam insulation(R-max) to give it a little "help".
We use it all the time. Haul frozen foods from town to the beach in the truck, hauled frozen fish from Anchorage to Arizona in the back of the truck. Still hard when we arrived after 10 days. When RVing it is in the storage compartment full of soda/beer/wine etc. Keeps it nice and cold in 80F weather.
That is a great invention for sure. Last year the fan started to squawk. I took it apart, cleaned and lubricated the fan shaft and it is quiet again.
I one time plugged it in backwards, put fresh cut cabbage from the garden in it to take home. Had sourkraut when we got there. Wife pissed. :roll:
 
If you want an electric freezer or refrigerator that is extremely efficient, look into FridgeFreeze. http://www.fridgefreeze.com/index.html I have a 60 liter model that is set up as a freezer. We take it to Alaska and it freezes our fish. Unit will run on 12V or 110V, and when compared with comparable size Haier compact units it uses half the power. I actually measured the power consumption. Like all appliances, actual performance depends on loading, outside air temp and desired inside temp (thermostat setting).

These units are made like a Swiss watch, with quality parts. Of course, you get what you pay for. They are pricey, but I think well worth it.

John
 
Pigman":skkq8v2k said:
If you want an electric freezer or refrigerator that is extremely efficient, look into FridgeFreeze. http://www.fridgefreeze.com/index.html I have a 60 liter model that is set up as a freezer. We take it to Alaska and it freezes our fish. Unit will run on 12V or 110V, and when compared with comparable size Haier compact units it uses half the power. I actually measured the power consumption. Like all appliances, actual performance depends on loading, outside air temp and desired inside temp (thermostat setting).

These units are made like a Swiss watch, with quality parts. Of course, you get what you pay for. They are pricey, but I think well worth it.

John
Click to expand...

Wow, pricey is right! hmmm...how many times could I replace the ice necessary to keep a space (15 liter) 8"x11"x10" chilled with $1,195+? Yow! :smileo Or the 60 liter @ 19 x 13 x 15 @ $1545 OUCH! My pockets ain't deep enough, clearly! :smilep

Caty
 
Lori Ann":kmbqgkq8 said:
At the boat shows, home shows, etc. there is often a vendor selling sheets of a bubble-wrap-like cooler insulation material from Australia. You get it wet before first use. Anyone buy this stuff and use it? Is there a source on the Internet for it?

Thanks,
Warren
Click to expand...

I use it all the time...it doesn't turn to water and soggy up your cooler goodies -- Techni Ice -- you can use it to keep stuff warm too -- the literature I have from purchase shows a phone number 888 258-4284 -- guessin an internet search might give you a reseller.

Caty
 
Like Jack in Alaska, I have a inexpensive 12v/110v cooler. Got it in the early 90’s and it is still going strong. We use it all the time on the boat, camping, traveling and at home. Reverse the plug and it will heat your food.

I paid around $120.00 for it back then and I believe they still cost around $120.00. Ours is the KoolMate40 by Igloo.

It is much better than a cooler that you have to use ice in and it is not that much more expensive than a high end cooler that requires ice.
________
Dave dlt.gif
 
The Techni Ice, is similiar to holding plates which are used in both commercial frigeration systems and on long distance cruising boats. In these cases, a compressor is run for 1 to 2 hours a day, and the eutetic solution (that is a material which has a freezing point way below the freezing point of water) is frozen at minus 10, and with a super effecient freezer box, the frozen food will be kept at 10 degrees or less until the compressor is run either 12 hours later or the next day.

These sheets of plastic with a polymer sound convient--but no magic there. The laws of thermodynamics work--and the material has to be frozen--and the colder the better. You could make a eutetic solution and freeze this in containers and keep food longer than ice. One of the problems is that few ice chests are truely effecient (and the theme of this thread). You can make an effecient ice chest--inner would be fiberglass, then foil, vapor barrier, and closed cell foam--3 to 4" would give a very effecient box--be sure that there are no voids or ways cold air can leak. Finally another vapor barrier, foil and a fiberglass outside. The lid needs double gaskets to keep the seal tight--and also needs sufficient insullation--many of the "ice chests" are only fractions of an inch of foam.
 
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