Isotherm Fridge - Step by Step Installation | ⛵ Sailing Britaly ⛵ [Boat Work]

[@haydenwatson7987]

I just watched your fridge install video and there are some very easy things that you can do to increase the efficiency of the system. The compressor is variable speed and to minimize the total amps / 24h usage you want to run it at the slowest speed that will meet your cooling needs. The speed is controlled by the resistance in the thermostat wires. The typical mechanical thermostat will ussually have 1.5k-ohm which makes it run at max speed of 3500 rpm's. If you use 0-ohms, it runs at the lowest speed which is 2000rpm's. The other thing is to add a digital thermostat that measures the air temperature instead of the evaporator plate temperature, I use a common 12v Inkbird Tstat that costs less than $20. I then put a 0 to 1500 ohm pot on the line so that I can turn it up for when I am running the engine or shore power and down when on battery. On my system these changes took me from nearly 100-amps / day to 5--amps / day. A side benifit is much less annoying running. With the mechanical Tstat, it ran 5-min on and 10-min off 24/7 which was very annoying at night. Now it runs for about 20 minutes and shuts of for about 2-hours. I also like being able to see the box temperature from the digital display.

[@SailingSarah]

Thank you for thinking about us Americans to put the conversions in your video! I see so many Americans making videos using metric measurements and they don't even think about the rest of their own countrymen to put the conversions in their videos. Subscribed!

[@SailingBritaly]

Welcome aboard! Chris 👍

[@JKTCGMV13]

Wow the cable tie tip was nice

[@amarieshearer7613]

Your wife will like the fridge! Great job!

[@SailingBritaly]

Rossella is very happy with this modification! Thank you, Chris 🙂

[@randyowens2717]

From one engineer to another, nice job!

[@SailingBritaly]

Randy Owens Thank you Randy, much obliged. Chris 👍

[@cnc75adventures49]

You my friend help out guys like me who hate reading instructions plus all the great tips and trick they should be filling the fridge for your great tutorial thanks man👍👍

[@SailingBritaly]

I'm glad this was helpful Chad. Cheers, Chris 🙂👍

[@frankd2301]

I have watched all your “how to” vids. You are very clear and articulate 👍. Thanks

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

another brilliant DIY video. Thanks again for sharing your skills. All the Very Best! Jim

[@christophertoole8565]

I know this was 5 years ago, but am adding a Frigoboat to my Catalina 380 and this was very helpful. Thank you.

[@SailingBritaly]

Glad to hear that - enjoy your cold celebratory beer! Chris, Rossella & Emma 🍻

[@svseaknsolotude3277]

You are awesome!!! Thank you, just bought this kit and I look forward to cold beers!!!!

[@intheworld99]

Thank you! your guide has convinced me to buy and install a refrigerator on board my small sailboat. Very illustrative.

[@davidsmith4363]

I used a vacuum to pulled string through the stern railing with several bends. Worked great

[@brianfogg5172]

This was a very detailed and helpful video. I'd like to see more how to videos.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Brian, we will have more videos like this in the future so tick on that 🔔😉 Chris 👍

[@peterferguson3374]

Tie wraps bag... inspired and so simple. Looking forward to solar install.. thanks!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Peter 👍

[@andymarshall4134]

We are planning on fitting one of these. Super detailed video of how to do it! Thanks Andy 🙂

[@SailingBritaly]

Our pleasure Andy, we hope you're enjoying a nice cold celebratory beer in the near future! 🍻 Chris (Plus Rossella & Emma)

[@TampaTec]

So many useful guides, best howto Sail boat channel 👍

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Paul! 🙂

[@sdrcorbu]

Wow! Thorough! Chris may be the best Mechanic - Educator and Video Editor combined. Just so happens that this is the retrofit refrigeration unit that I decided on, and now my job will go so much better. Thank you Chris for a brilliant presentation!

[@markseabaugh4157]

indeed there is a knot for that and I have you to thank for me finding appx a yr ago it is the "icicle hitch" I found it after watching your video on hanging a hammock from the stays on your boat and had to have that on mine. I rec everyone learn that knot as it really will hold on an icicle. thanks again for sharing! always good ideas coming from Britaly!!

[@hectorsarraga2475]

Nice video, you covered all the main points of the installation. Easy to understand and follow

[@SailingBritaly]

🙏👍

[@jimbigner5902]

Nice tidy job!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thanks Jim 🙂

[@christopherstewart5220]

Always very entertaining and informative, Thanks

[@tomb2390]

Another useful and well edited video. Nice job Chris!

[@iainlyall6475]

can't wait for that solar arch. good video.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Iain 👍

[@ascott6804]

The conversion popups... most valuable!! Thank you soooooo much!! Didnt have to pause to google C* to F* !!!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you for the feedback! Chris 👍

[@markseabaugh4157]

sorry I can't resist that horn outtake was THE FUNNIEST best laugh I've had in a while. BTW the know is also called "stopper knot" or "iron fist knot"

[@littleredhen3354]

Excellent how to. Very well done! Thank you for sharing!

[@harrybloom9213]

I dont have a boat and I dont need a marine refrigerator. But, Im watching your vid anyway! +1

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Harry, once you've caught the bug it's only a matter of time. I'm sure you'll have a boat some time soon and in the meantime I'm glad you are enjoying our videos. Fair winds, Chris 👍

[@BigMush9000]

Cable tie tip blew my mind

[@tombarker3608]

Another great DIY video. Honestly I thought you were going to remodel the boat and put in a giant refrigerator box. Cool that you can buy the compressor and cooling plate. Hi Emma, hi Rossella safe travel you three.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Tom, thank you! Yes the fridge kits are extremely handy and make refrigeration viable option on the vast majority of boats. I just gave Emma a peck on the cheek from you. 😉 Fair winds, Chris 🙂

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Lol love the outtakes...

[@SailingBritaly]

It wasn't funny at the time as I was rushing to finish before it got dark. All's well that ends well though and I got there in the end. 🙂👍

[@garybarton3622]

So glad I found this video! Just fitting the same thing myself and nowhere in the instructions does it tell you where or how to connect the temperature sensor wire from the thermostat. Has no idea thats what the little plate was for! Thanks

[@lionelthundercloud]

Thanks mate! Super useful! Greatly appreciated

[@consumedbynature]

Great video Chris as ever. Hope you enjoyed your shandy!

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi there, thank you. I believe a cold beverage is always enjoyed more when you feel like you have earned it and I reckon anyone who installs a fridge will enjoy the first cold sip of whatever it is that goes in there first! 🍻Cheers, Chris 👍

[@simonjconnor]

great video and tips. I just bought the GE80 and will keep this vid handy when I do my installation. Cheers

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure Simon, good luck with the installation. Cheers, Chris 👍

[@sailingvolupia]

Hello us again, was thinking of paying someone to fit mine but am going to give it a go my self now Thanks mate

[@calmauric8218]

Wow, 3.15a is very good. Better than some of the camping 12v fridges. - thanks for showing the isotherm setup. Was considering buying the bigger kit to get my built in freezer going.

[@vikingrchronicles]

You have a new follower! Nice job here! Hope to sail aroud you one day. Cheer from Canada.

[@davidtilley2168]

I installed a similar "fridge kit" on our previous boat and thankfully it was also successful but I do enjoy your systematic approach and attention to detail which made watching very entertaining. I routed my compressor pipes down under the fridge box and into the adjoining seat locker so I wondered why you chose the route to the side and down in the "wall' locker instead?

[@AntoneLostInAsia]

I learn something new everyday, thanks for the class! I wonder if you can do this for an on board freezer? I seen a guy that had like two lay down fridges and two freezers under the dining area seats , wow !

[@neilscully7930]

nice vid chris as always

[@SailingBritaly]

Thanks Neil 👍

[@bryanyoutubechannel]

Excellent presentation sir.

[@SailingBritaly]

🙏

[@culinary8ew]

Cool content 😎. Thanks for sharing.

[@SailingBritaly]

😉👍

[@theislandpackrat]

You did a great job!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you 👍

[@torstenbehrendt870]

Like the cable tie tip

[@SailingBritaly]

Cheers Torsten 👍

[@pierrevanderdeure8164]

Great vid’ very helpful thanks. I am now confident I can do the job myself.

[@mikehurley5052]

Good job that, a worthwhile improvement.

[@SailingBritaly]

Cheers Mike, it's a big improvement to our quality of life on board. Chris 👍

[@almath9987]

Thanks Chris good job and video

[@SailingBritaly]

Thanks Al 👍

[@drwindsurf]

Very cool. Thank you for this installation guide :)

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Jeffrey 😉👍

[@chasfoster12]

Great DIY video, keep us the good work.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Chuck 👍

[@SVImpavidus]

Absolutely 🐓on mate! Best cooler video ever! Sort them hole saws out before you go south "screwfix". Seriously, a lot of work went into making this video its a great how to. Sail Safe. Ant & Cid xx (SV Impavidus) Shared !

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Ant & Cid, you guys appreciate how much work filming and the editing is more than most. Thank you for sharing and fair winds! Chris 👍

[@flyingdutchman6984]

I'd like to say it was me with the horn in the outtakes, but apparently I am not the only tosser who's lost the plot. I ripped out my fridge over 25 years ago because of the amp draw. I also didn't have solar back then, so having to run my engine to keep my beer cold didn't make sense. With the advances that have been made it might be worthwhile putting one back in. I actually started with no interest in this video, and only came to see how much Emma has grown. As it turned out the video was informative, but I'm still left hanging for an update about Emma. Thanks for making this video Chris. I know it must have been a chore to accomplish on your own.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Jacobus, you were the number one person in my mind when I talked about people cruising the world without refrigeration. It's good to know that it is possible, and you canning of fresh food using a pressure cooker is genius! Our solar panels will cover the consumption of the fridge quite easily and the panels are cheap and very reliable these days. Emma will be shocking everyone in a video soon, she has grown up so much! Fair winds, Chris 👍

[@TheRealSasquatch]

very neat install.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you :-)

[@stevesheliflying]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Steve 👍

[@patrykszubert1891]

Thanks for that. Great Manual. I learned new skill thanks of you.😍

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure Patryk! Chris 👍

[@clayfarnet970]

👍👍👍 always great money saving ideas.

[@tedthesailor172]

Excellent video. Many thanks for sharing. Nice boat as well...

[@SailingBritaly]

Thanks Ted 👍

[@sailingvolupia]

Love the cable tie tip, thanks mate

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure buddy. 👍

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure buddy. 👍

[@leadsocks]

Cool. Both metaphorically and literally I guess!

[@SailingBritaly]

👍

[@asfpd]

Fixing the thermostat capillary on ther evaporator plate causes the Danfos refrigeration compressor to cycle on/off. This reduces the chilling effect. I will explain, when the compressor runs the evaporator plate gets cold quickly, condensation forms on it's surface, which then turns to frost. The capillary, if fitted in contact with the evaporator plate, will be at the same temperature and it open-circuits the compressor 12V supply and the compressor stops. The evaporator plate soon defrosts and with it the capillary, the thermostat switch becomes closed, 12V supply to the compressor is restored and the compressor runs again. In practice, the compressor can be observed switching on/off every couple of minutes, depending on how quickly the evaporator plate frosts and defrosts. I will suggest this reduces the refrigeration capacity by as much as 50%, which may not be desired when plenty amp-hours are available. A better solution, which enables the thermostat to control the enclosed refrigerated space temperature more effectively, is to mount the capillary tube close to, although not in direct contact, with the evaporator plate. That's exactly what I have done on our sailing yacht and the unit works much better. i.e The Danfos refrigeration compressor runs for as long as it takes for the thermostat set-point temperature to be reached to maintain the desired temperature range according to the thermostat setting.

[@mmanut]

Very Clean & Neat. Great Job‼️👍👍. Vinny 🇺🇸

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Vinny 🙂👍

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Great video Chris, not got one myself and not sure I have the space but I know where to come if I do. Andy uk

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Andy 👍

[@sea4see]

Thx guys need to di same job to my boat!

[@SailingBritaly]

sea4see Our pleasure, happy fitting! 🍻👍

[@sea4see]

Finally I understand how to replace my old fridge was quite a mistery! Thx again happy

[@ageofconan]

Very good diy video. Love it ! Moar please 😁

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you! 👍

[@grangerthomas1571]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SailingBritaly]

Our pleasure! :-)

[@davidbryant3131]

I'm constantly chasing those damned cable ties! Thanks for the tip!

[@SailingBritaly]

Chase no more David! Cheers, Chris 👍

[@chrisryba6190]

This was very useful. Thanks.

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure Chris

[@sailingsilverwind]

Thanks for posting this

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure! Fair winds, Chris 👍

[@sailingsilverwind]

@@SailingBritaly I recently bought a Dufour 31 (abandoned) and this isotherm ASU seems to work perfectly after years. Curious if I can maintain it.

[@danielhoyle3546]

Great Video, Thank You.

[@paolobeducci4388]

Great, great job, after this video I do it too

[@SailingBritaly]

Buon lavoro Paolo! Chris 👍

[@SailingPivo]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. I noticed that you didn't talk about refilling the refrigerant. How often will you be topping her up?

[@R.E.HILL_]

Dielectric grease on those compressor power connections... Only a suggestion... Nice work..

[@phil955i]

V.good installation. The only thing extra I would've done would be to lag the suction pipe as that can get condensation on it.

[@philskype101]

isotherm is a quality item.

[@marineengineerbudiriyanto.1969]

Very nice Video....nice Reference of kowledge find in this video

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you! 👍

[@joseville]

3:13 what are those connections called? Quick Couplings? And do you know if they can be installed post market? I'm doing some maintenance on my compressor (101n220 controller and bd35f compressor in a campervan) and would like to fit such connections to make future maintenance easier. Thanks for the great video btw!

[@hansvandekoppel1595]

Very, very useful guide. Question: I connected the capillary hose second in stead of first. Will this be a problem when I will start the unit?

[@MRTNMARTO]

Great video!!!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Martin! 👍

[@Jim-ei2iv]

Excellent video, thanks! I'm considering installing the same unit you did, or one size down (the Isotherm 2010-ISCE) for my 3.7 cubic foot ice box. After a year, are you still happy with your choice? Does it cool well even in the hottest weather? I'm probably going with the air cooled over the SP to avoid having to install the special thru hull, as you said.

[@johnjohnson8531]

Great installation I have 36’ Pearson Need to the same

[@SailingBritaly]

Enjoy the installation John! Chris 👍

[@Erreul]

15:51 That alone was worth watching this video, that's some thinkin for sure. If anyone can chime in on this though, can you actually make a fridge out of anything, enclosed of course?

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you! Yes, you could turn any space into a fridge. The more insulation you can get around the space the better, and painting it with something waterproof will allow you to keep it clean in use. Cheers, Chris 👍

[@Erreul]

@@SailingBritaly Thanks man.

[@adamsz5759]

MERCI !

[@SailingBritaly]

Merci á toi! 🙂

[@CraigOverend]

Good job. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ 5 Snowflakes for you 😎 Any concerns with the condenser being close to what looks like a heater vent outlet? It might not rain there but I bet it gets cold enough to use the heater a bit!

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Craig, thanks buddy. Yes that is warm air heating ducting. I don't anticipate problems, as although the ducting gets warm, it doesn't tend to radiate it out very much (which is a good job otherwise the air coming out of the vent at the end wouldn't be warm any more). I will be monitoring this though, and if I think it is an issue I can wrap a fire blanket around the ducting and secure it with stainless steel cable ties. Cheers, Chris 👍

[@johnperry7534]

Hi mate thanks

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure John 👍

[@redwood1957]

Lots of questions. But first thank you and you did a very nice job. Did that unit come precharged? You did tot have to evacuate the lines. Do you know the 24 hour electrical load when normal on board use. In apox 30 deg c. Thank you Mike

[@karimh]

Thanks for the detailed presentation. Have you experienced any issues with refrigerant leaking through the quick couplings? I have installed a similar unit and the high pressure side coupling keeps leaking despite using a torque wrench. Your feedback will be appreciated.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi there, our system is working perfectly a number of years down the line. I'm not sure what happened in your case but it might be worth trying a refrigerant leak stop product to see if this can fix your leak. Best regards, Chris 👍

[@Timmygobang]

How is the stainless steel joined? is it welded or have they used some gap filling epoxy? I need to line my fridge, but thought welding the seams would be way to hot and destroy the insulation behind it. Unless they made the stainless box first and dropped it in I guess....

[@rustytag4286]

at 26:52 you mean cubic feet - not square feet...but I am sure you know that. Great video...I will never open a bag of cable ties the wrong way again!

[@SailingBritaly]

That was a test to see who was paying attention, well done, you passed... (Only joking it was a typo) Your cable ties will now stay right where you left them, instead of trying to escape all the time. 👍 Fair winds, Chris 🙂

[@kevinhyde1477]

Hi there, great video thanks. I don't suppose you remember what diameter hole you had to drill in the fridge side to pass the capillary and pipe connections through? And also on the compressor what direction does the fan blow? I'm just working out installation and wondering how to best place the compressor in order to get air pulled from a bilge area and warm air pushed out or my cupboard. Thanks again :)

[@thehoboclub5060]

It looks like you used spade connectors on the positive and negative cables. Would Anderson power poles also work?

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Didn’t know it when beginning my icebox conversion, but Jeanneau thoughtfully drilled the needed holes, ran wiring, and dedicated a space for the compressor

[@SailingBritaly]

That's very handy! Running the wiring too that's very unusual. Good result for you though! Chris 👍

[@alansmith2203]

Really enjoyed this installation. Is there a reason for this type of cold plate versus a stainless steel holding plate? After puncturing a refridge plate like you installed I have been leary of them every since. smile. Excellent install. Especially using the U shaped channels in the bildge to run cabling. Good job, mate.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Alan, thank you. This kit gave us the best value for money of all the options we saw on the market. This is important to us, as we will cover in the video we'll publish later today about the costs of boat ownership. We'll take care not to puncture the evaporator plate, thank you for the warning. Cheers, Chris

[@benjaminpeters2518]

Did you seal up the 3 holes in the left side of the ice box by the evaporation plate? Great installation of the refrigerator system in your boat.

[@STRUTZKOFF]

might i suggest synthetic grease on the electrical connections to prevent corrosion

[@torstenbehrendt870]

Thanks for this video. I just bought my own cooling unit from this brand, but the manual doesn't say anything about where to place the thermostat sensor head within the box. Where did you place it in your box? Cheers

[@joseville]

26:04 I hadn't seen that kind of multimeter. Does it measure current based on the magnetic field the current produces?

[@artsmith103]

Yes. It's a classic college physics problem to show why the wire does not need to be centered in the clamp. If you're buying that tool be careful to confirm Vdc amps. ~$100.

[@MattStibbs]

Has it been a problem that the copper tubing is so close to your heating ducting?

[@steve0680657]

Love the cable tie tip. #lifehack I've had a car boot full of cable ties because i cut the corner a few years ago.

[@hansvandekoppel1595]

Question: I connected the capillary hose second in stead of first. Will this be a problem when I will start the unit?

[@ww07ff]

Why or how this system does not requires vacuum at the evaporator circuit before connect it to the compressor/condenser fittings ? @28:44 That deeeeeeep breath moment... hehehe

[@SailingBritaly]

They are special quick disconnect type fittings which are sealed until you connect them. As you connect them a small valve is opened and until that moment the system remains sealed. Very clever, and very handy for us boat owners! (I may have edited out a few short words from this section of video... 😂) Cheers, Chris 👍

[@ww07ff]

@@SailingBritaly those words ;) Very clever fittings! Tks for your reply!

[@wysiwyg2006]

Would love one of those my my boats small coolbox but they are too dear for me

[@simongoodall2418]

I have a similiar freezer that I want to do this to, it has the freezer box on one side like your one and a fridge on the other side of it. Would I need two plates or just the one be ok?