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