Tech Talk - 12v Refrigeration - Isotherm vs Sea Frost - Off the Grid

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Cold Drinks and Frozen Ice cream are the Holy Grail of Off the Grid living, especially on a boat in the Caribbean.
We dive into the Sea-Frost BD 50 that was in our boat when we purchased it and compare it to the Isotherm 2013-SX we are installing to replace it.
We talk about the fridge problems on our sailboat and why we hope the installation of a new unit will cure our freon leaks for good.
We don't claim an expert opinion on this topic, just our thoughts as we put the two units side by side.
#sailboat #diy #offthegrid #refridgerator #sailing #boatlife

Опубликовано:

1 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 35

@marcelocheves 2 года назад

I am not an refrigeration expert but electrician engineer. The different rate of consumption is caused by the modern compressor on the new one, its more efficient electric motor, that is all. And yes you are right about the old unit cooling flow, it must first cool the evap then the compressor. Sorry for my english.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Great info regarding the motor! We didn't even think of that.

@lyndajenkins9145 2 года назад

This science educator is pretty happy about you using hypothesis when do many people would use theory. Well done!

@rweinc1424 2 года назад

I am so impressed with the Isotherm water cooled refrigeration holding plate unit in my sailboat! I plumbed it to use fresh water from an extra 50 gallon water tank for cooling. My solar panels easily provide enough energy to run the unit 24 hrs a day, The smart controller regulates the water pump speed and cooling temperature depending on available power. My refrigeration box is always cold, sometimes too cold!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Nice! Good call going with the water cooling to the fresh water tank. We thought about that route also and glad to hear it works well!!!!

@iwoodie Год назад

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Glad this one made the cut ;-) Cheers!

@albatross5466 Год назад

Efficiency is not directly related to current draw but is a component of it. If unit #1 draws 5A and unit #2 draws 2.5A but unit #2 has to work more than twice as long to cool to the same point, then from a AH standpoint unit#1 is more efficient while drawing twice the amperage. It would appear that the new unit is likely more efficient, I am just pointing out that current draw is not the singular indicator of overall efficiency.

@TheCorsair Год назад

Doesn't the fan extract warm air from the Sea Frost box thereby forcing cool air to come in over the condensing plate? Doesn't make sense for the fan to pull air into the box.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

We aren't 100% sure the direction of the fan, this was our best guess, we could have looked closer at that!

@braithmiller 2 года назад

They have the same motors, they are variable speed, the controler resistor values on the thermostat circuit control the speed. Lower speed is more efficient= less amps. If the system never was opened no air or moisture ever entered if there was any pressure. The charge fittings should have been removed after changing and O ring caps replaced, both rust prevention the valves are not sole seal permanently.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks for adding this!

@braithmiller 2 года назад

Thought about it more. You can get atmospheric air in a system that is under pressure while running with the vacuum service port cap off. Icing or other blockage in the liquid line or crimped capillary tube. The service port has to develop below 0 for this to happen. Not common, more common is un-evacuated system assemblies.

@svsalserenity4375 Год назад

Should have called ColdEh The two units use a completely different way of controlling the refrigerant flow . The Isotherm uses a Cap tube , the Seafrost uses a CPV , (constant pressure Valve ),

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Cool, we haven't heard of ColdEh, we will have to check them out. You are correct on the capillary tube. We have had good luck so far with the change.

@paulkent5755 2 года назад

the new digital controller is all very fancy but if your sailing oceans and it breaks down you are stuffed, no fridge, mutch better go with and old fasioned electro mechanical thermostat, power consumption will be no diferent over a 24 hour period. if the thermostat fails just short out c and t terminals and the compressor will op+erate .non stop... switch off at night. cheers

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Great tip on the wire bypass!!!! We do carry two extra standard thermostats as spares, just in case.

@kylejazwiecki714 2 года назад

Any issues with heel angle and running the fridge? Or are they designed around that potential problem?

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Great question. The manual claims a working heel angle up to 30 degrees, thats all we know.

@paulkent5755 2 года назад

and yes the sea frost will be less efficient as the condencer air is pre warmed by the compressor. pipe size will make no diference to performance.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thats what she said ;-)

@markph0204 10 месяцев назад

Trying to find me one of these old units that someone is tossing to have spare parts.

@jimdemarest994 7 месяцев назад

I need to replace the refrigeration unit on my J46. How has the isotherm performed? Were you able to cool both the freezer and the refrigerator with one unit?

@KeithStrang 7 месяцев назад

Interested in this answer too. Especially for the volume size of 10cuft.

@SailingSweetRuca 7 месяцев назад

So far so good! We use 2 units, one for the fridge and one for the freezer. We have cold beer and ice!

@jimdemarest994 7 месяцев назад

@@SailingSweetRuca thanks I thought that might be the case. Any other modifications needed to make this work?

@KeithStrang 7 месяцев назад

@@SailingSweetRuca Would you mind telling us the model/evaporator size of each unit and ~how much volume they are cooling?

@curtisjazwiecki 7 месяцев назад

Maybe a recap video and performance review after 2 years aboard along with more details is in order?

@larryfinley9149 2 года назад

I do know that my 12v refrigerator works very poorly in hot climates. cool air across the condenser is the key

@albatross5466 Год назад

Is your unit water cooled or air cooled? Thanks.

@treasuredtimescruising8265 2 года назад

Awesome info. That’s not a water filter it’s called a filter dryer

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

:-)

@traumagas123 2 года назад

Are you Sure your Air flow direction Idea is correct there Lint on front of the condensing coil so I think you have air Direction wrong. Just my Hypothesis

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks J. Not sure at all, I do not claim to be an expert on fridges, just calling it like I saw it! I can report though that since we did the swap, we have had no further issues (knock on wood).