2nd Fridge on R21 EC

[Jasper]

Hi Guys we have always had a second fridge on all our boats but doing so on our newly acquired R21 EC Tug-A-Long is proving challenging. We spend weeks away on our boat in areas (mostly national parks) that do not have marinas or shops. Our boats always had 400 watts of solar and three house batteries of 100 amp deep cycle agm. With adequate sunshine we can just about camp indefinitely. So to the dilemma, I suspect the 100 amp AGM house battery might just be able to cope with running the Nova Kool fridge with solar. So has anyone else added additional portable fridge? If so, where do you put it onboard? What make and model? And extra battery/s? AGM in parallel with house battery? Or lithium with a dc to dc charger? We are in Australia. Thanks guys.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Only one fridge, but we have added two more house batteries. Once fridge food is gone we go to cans and backpacker meals. Fridge food normally lasts 7 days and we stay away on anchor 7 to 10 days.

 

[lproulx]

How about on the swim platform?

Larry

 

[bob daily]

Mr Jasper, you could supplement your needs with a 12 volt cooler or do what I do and use a small cooler as a foot rest under the helm, the installed refrigerator will produce two bottles of frozen water about every 12 hours. That is enough to keep me in ice-cold beer during my fishing trips. Bob

 

[Jasper]

Pilot I think we will also be heading for two extra house batteries.

Larry the swim step? You know we have white pointers and crocodiles down here.

Mr Daily translation please for 12 volt cooler? Are we talking compressor? But making your own ice to put in an "esky" might be doable. Like your thinking.

 

[bob daily]

Mr Jasper, I was thinking a 12 volt cooler, most long haul trucker have them in there trucks. Yes compressor, come in various sizes, cost between $100-$1000 depending on the quality. Available on Amazon or most RV supply outlets. The better ones can be used as a freezer. Now the question where to stow on a R-21 with limited space! I have found that the area under the helm station and under the passenger seat is wasted space and works great for storing a small cooler or storage container and makes getting up to the seat easier and eliminate leg cramps for throes long run times (all run times on a R-21 is long). You will need to ensure that the cooler can support your weight and that of your crew, also that the lid will open without difficulty. They also make some great coolers (Yeti) that will work if you don't want the extra power usage. Good luck. Bob

 

[Sheepdog012]

I have been thinking about adding fridge space on my R-21 as well. I am thinking about two alternatives, the first is to remove the existing fridge and cut away the counter above it. Then add a larger more "full size" dc fridge. The second is to remove the existing fridge and close in the opening for it. Then add a hatch to the counter above it and line the whole compartment with insulation and install an external compressor and cooling plate to the new "fridge". Much like I see on a lot of sailboats. Top loading to help conserve cold air and very well insulated, so efficient. The drawback is when top loading, if you need something at the bottom, it's a bit of digging to get at it. I still need to research sizing, power requirements as well as measurements to see how much fridge space I can gain. Just some thoughts. Good luck and watch out for those crocs! -Sheepdog

 

[Jasper]

Mr Jasper, I was thinking a 12 volt cooler, most long haul trucker have them in there trucks.

Indeed Mr Daily Bob and our Truckies her on OZ also have them, but they eat amps for breakfast, and while that is no problem in a B Double, it could be very resource hungry when the engine is not running aboard our little tugs.

 

[Jasper]

Sheepdog the though of removing the Nova Kool fridge also crossed my mind and yes we do have taller fridges with the same width readily available here, but the extra weight? No to sure about that one.

 

[bob daily]

Jasper, you might want to read a book title ( cruising without refrigeration ) by Carolyn Sherlock. Another great book by the same author is the boat galley cookbook. Remember that sailors have been sailing the seas way before the invention of refrigeration! of course they didn't have ice for there afternoon cocktail and drank there beer at room temperature. Bob

 

[Jasper]

Jasper, you might want to read a book title ( cruising without refrigeration ) by Carolyn Sherlock. Another great book by the same author is the boat galley cookbook. Remember that sailors have been sailing the seas way before the invention of refrigeration! of course they didn't have ice for there afternoon cocktail and drank there beer at room temperature. Bob

Indeed Bob, and did the good lady author also have a chapter on cruising without air conditioning?