refrigeration

[greggo]

My first visit to this site ....... many professionals and VERY good reading. Thank you.
An age-old problem = the best refrigeration on a tight budget. Is ammonia/hydrogen design (ie an RV style) refrigerator an option for a 40 ft deadrise in the Chesapeake Bay? I'm aware of drawbacks of the design (ie must be level) but am wondering if it might be feasible for at dock and at anchor. Thanks.

[Tom Lathrop]

I have seen a couple of these on powerboats and the owners reported they worked well for them. There are certainly safety considerations and I would think that the flame unit should to be sealed from the interior and vented to the outside. One installation was sitting in thecenter of the boat though.

I have used a propane unit on a campervan for all of 160,000 miles with little trouble. Motion as would normally be found in protected water does not appear to be a problem.

[Ian McColgin]

Take care - the amonia absorbtion types may develop air locks. They sure take up a lot of space on a sail boat as they need to be gimballed.

Don't know if they still exist, but Pacific Turbine had a solid ion transferr sort of absorbtion unit for sale back in the early '80's.

G'luck

[frank undewood]

I had a RV propane unit in a 24' powerboat. These units must be level on the side axis. The front to back axis is not important. Unfortunately most power boat have the reefer facing the pasageway so when up on plane the wrong axis is off level. Probaly not as important on a sailboat. I definitely agree with Tom L. about venting. Also get a unit with a automatic pizzeo lighter, not a "push and strike". These guys really cool (freeze) but will never pass USCG inspection unless all flame and gas is vented overboar.

[frank undewood]

I had a RV propane unit in a 24' powerboat. These units must be level on the side axis. The front to back axis is not important. Unfortunately most power boat have the reefer facing the pasageway so when up on plane the wrong axis is off level. Probaly not as important on a sailboat. I definitely agree with Tom L. about venting. Also get a unit with a automatic pizzeo lighter, not a "push and strike". These guys really cool (freeze) but will never pass USCG inspection unless all flame and gas is vented overboar.