question for a refrigeration guru

[Ed Tanzer]

Looking at a sailboat; has a nice looking cold plate system, BUT, the compressor is engine driven !! Fine for a constant boat underway, BUT, the boat will spend most of it's time at the dock....what needs to be done to add an A.C. driven compressor? And, can they be in parallel? And estimated $$.
thanks, ed JJFLYGIRL
Lighthouse Point, Fl

 

[rwetherington]

dometic which is right down the road from makes a system. Also might want to call Gulf Stream A/C in Palm Beach. Not cheap but they system Hatteras did on there sail yachts had one that was ac/dc and engine driven.

 

[hibanx]

Yes, it can be done easily. Most sailboats are set up with an AC compressor for dockside use and an engine driven compressor for use when under way or anchored. The holding plates should stay cold for most of the day once frozen. The latest craze is a 12v system from Frigoboat. Very energy efficient and better at maintaining a constant box temp. If you anchor out a lot, and do not want to constantly run a generator, its the way to go. The system can cycle on and off as needed without you having to be there to start the genset. In combination with solar or wind power, it is a self sufficient hands free system. As a matter of fact I am switching over to such a system and just removed a fully functional AC system from my boat....PM me if interested.

 

[carolinacoast]

Ditto 12V and engine driven. I would not add just AC for the plates. Adds no additional function away from the dock. Freezer, if you have one, will need engine driven or AC power.