Catalina 350 International Association

Has anyone looked into a propane, AC and DC powered refrigerator? I just chatted with a fellow sailboat owner who also has an RV with this type refrigerator. Is the only problem safety? Could those issues be mitigated? Any thoughts from the 350 crowd? Leigh?

George
S/V Air Mobility

Two issues with propane refrigerator (called Absorption refrigeration) on a boat:

1. Propane is heavier than air-- a safety issue.
2. The MUST be operated very close to level. Not going to happen on a sailboat except at anchor or dockside. And, underway is when refrigeration requirements are most critical.

For offshore passages, many of us buy a 10 pound block of dry ice, wrap it in newspaper and put it in the bottom of the freezer side. Substantially reduces electrical running time of the compressor.

And, as has been discussed previously, may of us have upgraded the insulation of the box.

I have a friend who lives aboard and cruises full time. He has an LP frig that runs it all the time unless he is leaving the boat for a month or more. Frig is gimballed and works while sailing. He says the only negative is that it can’t freeze anything. But it’s a good trade vs large amp hour useage of DC power.
Rick Parish
Sea Breeze

On a Catalina 350, where/how did he fit a gimbled refrigerator????

Wolf10
If your just posted question is directed to me the answer is - Port side across from galley sink on his Catalina 34.
Rick Parish
Sea Breeze

wolfe10 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 5:07 pm On a Catalina 350, where/how did he fit a gimbled refrigerator????

wolfe10 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 5:07 pm On a Catalina 350, where/how did he fit a gimbled refrigerator????