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