| Having marine refrigerator can be a pleasant | | | | refrigerant/air mix, and so on. These |
| luxury or a critical necessity depending on | | | | problems are more common in used units but |
| the kind of sailing you do. However adding | | | | even new marine refrigerators can be subject |
| one to your galley causes a substantial | | | | to them. Buy quality merchandise from |
| increase in electrical demands. Unlike other | | | | trusted vendors to minimize these concerns. |
| appliances such as a microwave, the draw is | | | | |
| fairly constant so you need to ensure that | | | | Daily use |
| you have the power capacity to keep | | | | |
| everything running well. | | | | As mentioned above, a boat refrigerator runs |
| | | | most efficiently when kept full. However |
| As a result, it is important to make sure | | | | don't pack the unit tightly as cool air must |
| your boat refrigerator is running as | | | | circulate inside to provide the best cooling. |
| efficiently as possible. Occasional | | | | |
| maintenance will keep the unit running with | | | | Adjust the thermostat as needed. Optimal |
| as little power draw as possible. | | | | temperature is 37 degrees Fahrenheit for |
| | | | refrigerators and 0 degrees for freezers. If |
| Purchase and installation | | | | yours doesn't have a built-in thermometer, |
| | | | get one so you can set it properly. A thermal |
| The first thing is to make sure you buy a | | | | barrier placed inside the refrigerator can |
| unit appropriate to your needs and not | | | | separate the compartment into two areas. |
| larger. Not only do larger refrigerators | | | | This allows one unit to act as both freezer |
| draw greater power but they are harder to | | | | and refrigerator. |
| keep full, another step to keep efficient | | | | |
| operation. | | | | Wash the door gasket with soap and water |
| | | | every so often. This gasket wears much |
| The boat refrigerator must be installed so | | | | faster than on your refrigerator at home, so |
| that it gets good airflow across the | | | | replace it once the seal has been |
| condenser and that air should be in the range | | | | compromised. Dust off the condenser as the |
| of 70-90 F. Warmer or cooler air will make | | | | dust acts as an insulating layer, preventing |
| the condenser work harder. One particular | | | | the condenser from operating properly. |
| problem is that air, heated after passing | | | | |
| over the condenser, cycles around and passes | | | | Other tips for proper use |
| over it again. Proper installation allows | | | | |
| only fresh air flows across the condenser | | | | You should never run a marine refrigerator |
| then out of the area. | | | | off the ship's main battery. If your |
| | | | appliances drain the battery so much that you |
| There are several technical problems that can | | | | can't start the engine, then you are in |
| cause power issues from day one. An | | | | trouble! For best performance, attach it to |
| improperly installed thermostat, too little | | | | an auxiliary, deep cycle battery that will |
| or even too much refrigerant, incorrect | | | | recharge as the engine is running. |