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Introduction - and some help on fridges pls

Tom Crosbie
 
Edited

Hello All,
First I am delighted to be posting here - this forum is a great resource.
Clair and I recently acquired Saol Eile (For the non Irish speakers Other Life) SM #228 - she is a fab boat and if we can have half the fun and adventures as her previous owners had we thing we will be very happy indeed. I believe she was one of the last of the Super Maramus before the SM2000 update.
Here she is off Cork Harbour, Ireland recently - we are just getting used to everything and we are hope to do a bit of voyaging (maybe to La Rochelle) this summer.
  



One thing that we must replace is the fridge which is the original from 1998 and is well past its sell by date. The old fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic HDC-120 and I am struggling to decide whether to try to put in something similar again, a drawer type fridge or indeed is there something better. I really want to be careful with my choice as I want to end up with a very power efficient setup if at all possible.
Many thanks in advance
Tom Crosbie
Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...>
 

Welcome to the family.
We have SM no 232 built 1998, and she was a test bench for many of the solutions that later on was implemented in the SM2000. 
I don’t know the number on the first delivered 2000, but maybe someone els knows that.

/Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

10/02/2022 kl. 14:05 skrev Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...>:



Hello All,
First I am delighted to be posting here - this forum is a great resource.
Clair and I recently acquired Saol Eile (For the non Irish speakers Other Life) SM #228 - she is a fab boat and if we can have half the fun and adventures as her previous owners had we thing we will be very happy indeed. I believe she was one of the last of the Super Maramus before the SM2000 update.
Here she is off Cork Harbour, Ireland recently - we are just getting used to everything and we are hope to do a bit of voyaging (maybe to La Rochelle) this summer.
  

















One thing that we must replace is the fridge which is the original from 1998 and is well past its sell by date. The old fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic HDC-120 and I am struggling to decide whether to try to put in something similar again, a drawer type fridge or indeed is there something better. I really want to be careful with my choice as I want to end up with a very power efficient setup if at all possible.
Many thanks in advance
Tom Crosbie
Courtney Gorman
 

Congratulations and welcome to the group she’s a beautiful boat enjoy
Courtney 
Trippin 54#101
Secret Harbour Grenada


On Feb 10, 2022, at 9:11 AM, Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...> wrote:

Welcome to the family.
We have SM no 232 built 1998, and she was a test bench for many of the solutions that later on was implemented in the SM2000. 
I don’t know the number on the first delivered 2000, but maybe someone els knows that.

/Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

10/02/2022 kl. 14:05 skrev Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...>:



Hello All,
First I am delighted to be posting here - this forum is a great resource.
Clair and I recently acquired Saol Eile (For the non Irish speakers Other Life) SM #228 - she is a fab boat and if we can have half the fun and adventures as her previous owners had we thing we will be very happy indeed. I believe she was one of the last of the Super Maramus before the SM2000 update.
Here she is off Cork Harbour, Ireland recently - we are just getting used to everything and we are hope to do a bit of voyaging (maybe to La Rochelle) this summer.
  

















One thing that we must replace is the fridge which is the original from 1998 and is well past its sell by date. The old fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic HDC-120 and I am struggling to decide whether to try to put in something similar again, a drawer type fridge or indeed is there something better. I really want to be careful with my choice as I want to end up with a very power efficient setup if at all possible.
Many thanks in advance
Tom Crosbie
Brent Cameron
 

Welcome to the group. I believe that the first “”real” Super Maramu 2000 was Hull #238 (Maracuya/Belavita/Ouled). She was Captain Henri’s boat and was the demonstrator for the new models. As Ann-Marie said, their boat #232 has many of the am2K features as it seemed to be the trial boat but it wasn’t branded Super Maramu 2000 on the rub rail. They are all fine boats anyway and I’m sure she will give you years of enjoyment. 

Brent Cameron
Future Amel owner & Amel Owner's Registry Moderator

On Feb 10, 2022, 8:45 AM -0600, Courtney Gorman via groups.io <Itsfun1@...>, wrote:
Congratulations and welcome to the group she’s a beautiful boat enjoy
Courtney 
Trippin 54#101
Secret Harbour Grenada


On Feb 10, 2022, at 9:11 AM, Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...> wrote:

 Welcome to the family.
We have SM no 232 built 1998, and she was a test bench for many of the solutions that later on was implemented in the SM2000. 
I don’t know the number on the first delivered 2000, but maybe someone els knows that.

/Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

10/02/2022 kl. 14:05 skrev Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...>:



Hello All,
First I am delighted to be posting here - this forum is a great resource.
Clair and I recently acquired Saol Eile (For the non Irish speakers Other Life) SM #228 - she is a fab boat and if we can have half the fun and adventures as her previous owners had we thing we will be very happy indeed. I believe she was one of the last of the Super Maramus before the SM2000 update.
Here she is off Cork Harbour, Ireland recently - we are just getting used to everything and we are hope to do a bit of voyaging (maybe to La Rochelle) this summer.
  
<IMG-20211005-WA0001.jpg>
















One thing that we must replace is the fridge which is the original from 1998 and is well past its sell by date. The old fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic HDC-120 and I am struggling to decide whether to try to put in something similar again, a drawer type fridge or indeed is there something better. I really want to be careful with my choice as I want to end up with a very power efficient setup if at all possible.
Many thanks in advance
Tom Crosbie



--
Brent Cameron

Future Amel Owner & Amel Owner Registry Moderator

Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada
Mark Erdos
 

Welcome!

 

 

With best regards,

 

Mark

 

Skipper

Sailing Vessel - Cream Puff - SM2K - #275

Currently cruising - Tahiti, French Polynesia

www.creampuff.us

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io [mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On Behalf Of Tom Crosbie
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2022 4:05 AM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] Introduction - and some help on fridges pls

 

[Edited Message Follows]

Hello All,
First I am delighted to be posting here - this forum is a great resource.
Clair and I recently acquired Saol Eile (For the non Irish speakers Other Life) SM #228 - she is a fab boat and if we can have half the fun and adventures as her previous owners had we thing we will be very happy indeed. I believe she was one of the last of the Super Maramus before the SM2000 update.
Here she is off Cork Harbour, Ireland recently - we are just getting used to everything and we are hope to do a bit of voyaging (maybe to La Rochelle) this summer.
  



One thing that we must replace is the fridge which is the original from 1998 and is well past its sell by date. The old fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic HDC-120 and I am struggling to decide whether to try to put in something similar again, a drawer type fridge or indeed is there something better. I really want to be careful with my choice as I want to end up with a very power efficient setup if at all possible.
Many thanks in advance
Tom Crosbie
Ian Townsend
 

We put in an Isotherm Cruise Drinks model with no freezer section. We are very happy with it. Congrats on your new to you boat! 

Ian & Margaret
Loca Lola II
SM153

On Feb 10, 2022, at 9:08 AM, Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:



[Edited Message Follows]

Hello All,
First I am delighted to be posting here - this forum is a great resource.
Clair and I recently acquired Saol Eile (For the non Irish speakers Other Life) SM #228 - she is a fab boat and if we can have half the fun and adventures as her previous owners had we thing we will be very happy indeed. I believe she was one of the last of the Super Maramus before the SM2000 update.
Here she is off Cork Harbour, Ireland recently - we are just getting used to everything and we are hope to do a bit of voyaging (maybe to La Rochelle) this summer.
  

<IMG-20211005-WA0001.jpg>



One thing that we must replace is the fridge which is the original from 1998 and is well past its sell by date. The old fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic HDC-120 and I am struggling to decide whether to try to put in something similar again, a drawer type fridge or indeed is there something better. I really want to be careful with my choice as I want to end up with a very power efficient setup if at all possible.
Many thanks in advance
Tom Crosbie
Tom Crosbie
 

Thank you for the lovely welcome everyone.

There is really so much to learn and understand and it is only now that I am starting to fully appreciate the thought and craft that went into the design and build of every part of the boat.
I should acknowledge the encyclopaedic Frenchman, Olivier Beaute, who surveyed Saol Eile for us last year - his knowledge (and reassurance) was key to our decision - and we would never have heard of him without this community forum.

Fair winds to all 

Tom Crosbie
Saol Eile, SM#228, Cork, Ireland
Peter Forbes
 

Tom,

Are you based in Cork?

We will visit Cork in July.

Peter Forbes
Carango Amel 54 #035
lymington
07836 209730

On 11 Feb 2022, at 15:36, Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:

Thank you for the lovely welcome everyone.

There is really so much to learn and understand and it is only now that I am starting to fully appreciate the thought and craft that went into the design and build of every part of the boat.
I should acknowledge the encyclopaedic Frenchman, Olivier Beaute, who surveyed Saol Eile for us last year - his knowledge (and reassurance) was key to our decision - and we would never have heard of him without this community forum.

Fair winds to all 

Tom Crosbie
Saol Eile, SM#228, Cork, Ireland
Trevor Lusty
 

Hi Tom,
            I had Hull number 425 2000 Redline for nine years. We put 30,000 miles on her. We live in  Carrigillihy Harbour, Union Hall, there is a mooring here for you anytime. Or, if we can pass on any experiences just let me know.
Congratulations and fair winds with you boat.
Trevor Lusty
0871036469
Tom Crosbie
 

Thanks Ian - the Isotherm Cruise Drinks Fridge seems a very suitable as a direct replacement for the original fridge. I wanted to also explore whether there are other options out there as the previous owners of Saol Eile (who spent 6 years aboard circumnavigating) say that maybe a top loading fridge is best for tropical climes - they always felt that opening the door on the side hinged fridge lets all the cold out and is very hard on batteries. I guess I will take my time and do more research.

Thanks also to Trevor and Peter for making contact
CW Bill Rouse
 

Tom,

It is true that top-loading fridges and freezers are more efficient because front opening doors suck more than half of the cold air out of a fridge when you open the door. I suggest that efficiency is NOT the only measure of what is best for you and your Amel. As an example using circulating seawater is more efficient than air to transfer heat in the refrigeration condensing process, but as everyone who has this will tell you, circulating seawater in the tropics is problematic. And with the power available on most Amels, following the efficiency rule, in this case, is NOT the right thing to do. 

Probably the number one factor will be what will fit correctly.

Bill

CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   


On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 4:44 AM Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:
Thanks Ian - the Isotherm Cruise Drinks Fridge seems a very suitable as a direct replacement for the original fridge. I wanted to also explore whether there are other options out there as the previous owners of Saol Eile (who spent 6 years aboard circumnavigating) say that maybe a top loading fridge is best for tropical climes - they always felt that opening the door on the side hinged fridge lets all the cold out and is very hard on batteries. I guess I will take my time and do more research.

Thanks also to Trevor and Peter for making contact

Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...>
 

Bill,
I agree with you that a water cooled system for the freezer and fridges are the best solution. But I don’t agree on using sea water. It will cause a lot of trouble with barnacles in the water inlet and hoses.
It is much better to use the fresh water tank as the cooling source. Not only that you get rid of the barnacle problem, you can also run the fridges and freezer when on the hard. The additional warmth in the fresch water tank is so small that you can’t messure it. Meaning less than 0,5 degrees C.
We have had this system on S/Y Lady Annila since 2007 and have never had any problems with the cooling system or the quality of the water.
Regards
Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

14/02/2022 kl. 14:14 skrev CW Bill Rouse <brouse@...>:


Tom,

It is true that top-loading fridges and freezers are more efficient because front opening doors suck more than half of the cold air out of a fridge when you open the door. I suggest that efficiency is NOT the only measure of what is best for you and your Amel. As an example using circulating seawater is more efficient than air to transfer heat in the refrigeration condensing process, but as everyone who has this will tell you, circulating seawater in the tropics is problematic. And with the power available on most Amels, following the efficiency rule, in this case, is NOT the right thing to do. 

Probably the number one factor will be what will fit correctly.

Bill

CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 4:44 AM Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:
Thanks Ian - the Isotherm Cruise Drinks Fridge seems a very suitable as a direct replacement for the original fridge. I wanted to also explore whether there are other options out there as the previous owners of Saol Eile (who spent 6 years aboard circumnavigating) say that maybe a top loading fridge is best for tropical climes - they always felt that opening the door on the side hinged fridge lets all the cold out and is very hard on batteries. I guess I will take my time and do more research.

Thanks also to Trevor and Peter for making contact

Randall Walker
 

Hello,
Ann-Sofie, is it possible to show your setup in pictures?  Salt water is an issue. Working toward better setups will save money and the need to flush lines.

Randall
A54#56

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 9:55 AM Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...> wrote:
Bill,
I agree with you that a water cooled system for the freezer and fridges are the best solution. But I don’t agree on using sea water. It will cause a lot of trouble with barnacles in the water inlet and hoses.
It is much better to use the fresh water tank as the cooling source. Not only that you get rid of the barnacle problem, you can also run the fridges and freezer when on the hard. The additional warmth in the fresch water tank is so small that you can’t messure it. Meaning less than 0,5 degrees C.
We have had this system on S/Y Lady Annila since 2007 and have never had any problems with the cooling system or the quality of the water.
Regards
Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

14/02/2022 kl. 14:14 skrev CW Bill Rouse <brouse@...>:


Tom,

It is true that top-loading fridges and freezers are more efficient because front opening doors suck more than half of the cold air out of a fridge when you open the door. I suggest that efficiency is NOT the only measure of what is best for you and your Amel. As an example using circulating seawater is more efficient than air to transfer heat in the refrigeration condensing process, but as everyone who has this will tell you, circulating seawater in the tropics is problematic. And with the power available on most Amels, following the efficiency rule, in this case, is NOT the right thing to do. 

Probably the number one factor will be what will fit correctly.

Bill

CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   
View My Training Calendar

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 4:44 AM Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:
Thanks Ian - the Isotherm Cruise Drinks Fridge seems a very suitable as a direct replacement for the original fridge. I wanted to also explore whether there are other options out there as the previous owners of Saol Eile (who spent 6 years aboard circumnavigating) say that maybe a top loading fridge is best for tropical climes - they always felt that opening the door on the side hinged fridge lets all the cold out and is very hard on batteries. I guess I will take my time and do more research.

Thanks also to Trevor and Peter for making contact

amel46met
 

I built a custom refrigerator and freezer box with R 52 Vacuum  panels and store bought double seal doors E 10 epoxy panels for the liners I use my freshwater tank for cooling if I was to do it again I would put one of the bronze shoes in the water tank and eliminate all of the water cooling system and with two Dan Foss refrigeration pumps BD 50s in the cockpit locker Tom Aphrodite 125 


On Feb 14, 2022, at 10:04 AM, Randall Walker <sailingalbedo@...> wrote:


Hello,
Ann-Sofie, is it possible to show your setup in pictures?  Salt water is an issue. Working toward better setups will save money and the need to flush lines.

Randall
A54#56

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 9:55 AM Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...> wrote:
Bill,
I agree with you that a water cooled system for the freezer and fridges are the best solution. But I don’t agree on using sea water. It will cause a lot of trouble with barnacles in the water inlet and hoses.
It is much better to use the fresh water tank as the cooling source. Not only that you get rid of the barnacle problem, you can also run the fridges and freezer when on the hard. The additional warmth in the fresch water tank is so small that you can’t messure it. Meaning less than 0,5 degrees C.
We have had this system on S/Y Lady Annila since 2007 and have never had any problems with the cooling system or the quality of the water.
Regards
Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

14/02/2022 kl. 14:14 skrev CW Bill Rouse <brouse@...>:


Tom,

It is true that top-loading fridges and freezers are more efficient because front opening doors suck more than half of the cold air out of a fridge when you open the door. I suggest that efficiency is NOT the only measure of what is best for you and your Amel. As an example using circulating seawater is more efficient than air to transfer heat in the refrigeration condensing process, but as everyone who has this will tell you, circulating seawater in the tropics is problematic. And with the power available on most Amels, following the efficiency rule, in this case, is NOT the right thing to do. 

Probably the number one factor will be what will fit correctly.

Bill
CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   
View My Training Calendar

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 4:44 AM Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:
Thanks Ian - the Isotherm Cruise Drinks Fridge seems a very suitable as a direct replacement for the original fridge. I wanted to also explore whether there are other options out there as the previous owners of Saol Eile (who spent 6 years aboard circumnavigating) say that maybe a top loading fridge is best for tropical climes - they always felt that opening the door on the side hinged fridge lets all the cold out and is very hard on batteries. I guess I will take my time and do more research.

Thanks also to Trevor and Peter for making contact

Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...>
 

Absolute, I’ll arrange some photos tomorrow.

Regards
Ann-Sofie


Skickat från min iPhone

14/02/2022 kl. 16:04 skrev Randall Walker <sailingalbedo@...>:


Hello,
Ann-Sofie, is it possible to show your setup in pictures?  Salt water is an issue. Working toward better setups will save money and the need to flush lines.

Randall
A54#56

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 9:55 AM Ann-Sofie, S/Y Lady Annila <ann-sofie@...> wrote:
Bill,
I agree with you that a water cooled system for the freezer and fridges are the best solution. But I don’t agree on using sea water. It will cause a lot of trouble with barnacles in the water inlet and hoses.
It is much better to use the fresh water tank as the cooling source. Not only that you get rid of the barnacle problem, you can also run the fridges and freezer when on the hard. The additional warmth in the fresch water tank is so small that you can’t messure it. Meaning less than 0,5 degrees C.
We have had this system on S/Y Lady Annila since 2007 and have never had any problems with the cooling system or the quality of the water.
Regards
Ann-Sofie
S/Y Lady Annila, SM232, 1998


Skickat från min iPhone

14/02/2022 kl. 14:14 skrev CW Bill Rouse <brouse@...>:


Tom,

It is true that top-loading fridges and freezers are more efficient because front opening doors suck more than half of the cold air out of a fridge when you open the door. I suggest that efficiency is NOT the only measure of what is best for you and your Amel. As an example using circulating seawater is more efficient than air to transfer heat in the refrigeration condensing process, but as everyone who has this will tell you, circulating seawater in the tropics is problematic. And with the power available on most Amels, following the efficiency rule, in this case, is NOT the right thing to do. 

Probably the number one factor will be what will fit correctly.

Bill

CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   
View My Training Calendar

On Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 4:44 AM Tom Crosbie <tpcrosbie@...> wrote:
Thanks Ian - the Isotherm Cruise Drinks Fridge seems a very suitable as a direct replacement for the original fridge. I wanted to also explore whether there are other options out there as the previous owners of Saol Eile (who spent 6 years aboard circumnavigating) say that maybe a top loading fridge is best for tropical climes - they always felt that opening the door on the side hinged fridge lets all the cold out and is very hard on batteries. I guess I will take my time and do more research.

Thanks also to Trevor and Peter for making contact

Bill Kinney
 

Another reason not to sweat too much the efficiency of a front loading fridge:  Air is very easy to cool down.  Even if you managed to exchange ALL the cold air in the fridge for room temperature air the energy cost to cool down that warm air is a small fraction of the energy needed to cool ONE warm beer down to 4C.  And the energy needed to freeze water into ice is almost another order of magnitude higher again.

In short it is TECHNICALLY true that a top loading fridge is more efficient ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, in the real world the loss of cold air when opening a door is a negligible part of the fridge’s energy budget.  This is especially so if you need to leave the top loader open longer because things as less accessible.

Far more important is better insulation, and especially more air tight door seals.

Bill Kinney
SM160,  Harmonie
Rock Harbour, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Tom Crosbie
 

Hi Again,

I thought I might close out my query by showing what I have done - very proud of my first try at diy on an Amel!
Having looked at all the suggestions I came down on keeping it simple and went with Ian of Loca Lola II's suggestion of the Isotherm Cruise Drinks 130L fridge which as you will see fits nicely into the old position (I see the SM2000 fridge is located differently).
I added a vent to the bin door so at the moment it has good access for cold air to come in at the bottom and hopefully escape at the top - if this isn't enough I will cut an opening to the deep locker that is adjacent to the stove and give the air a better escape route that way.
Some minor woodwork was needed to ensure the old panel worked on the new door which is a little narrower and higher.
Pics below

Thank you all
Cheers
Tom
Bill Kinney
 

Tom,

Nice install, and good selection of equipment!  May it keep your beer very cold for many years. Except the Guinness, of course.

Bill Kinney
SM160, Harmonie
Le Marin, Martinique
karkauai
 

Nice. Tom.  I am also installing an Isotherm 130 Drink Cruise in Kristy.  Somehow my door is different from yours, it has a latch built into the door on the opening side of the swing of the door.  Mine is the stainless "no touch" door.  I'm trying to figure out how to use the old panel without a big fuss around the latch.  The wooden panel on my old one is close to 1/2" thick, which seems very heavy to hang on the door, but might add some insulation.

Did yours have a latch? Where?  If on the front of the door, how do you manage that with the wooden panel?

I may start from scratch with a new 3/16" panel and leave an opening for the latch.

I was disappointed to learn that the Intelligent Temperature Control module was not available for this model.  Hope it is enough more efficient than my 23 year old one to make a big difference.



--
Kent & Iris
KRISTY
SM243
Tom Crosbie
 
Edited

I should have been more specific with the model.

My new one is an Isotherm Cruise Classic - there is also the Isotherm Cruise Elegance which may be the version you got as that one has a stainless steel door.
The Classic door is more basic (and a bit cheaper) - it comes with a plastic catch which I removed as the catch is only doing what Amel's nice timber rotating catch does anyway. Removing the catch allowed the original wooden panel to fit perfectly flush to the door surface - I needed a filler strip of about 23mm thickness to make up for the fact that the new door is slightly narrower. I suspect the classic door might be lighter also.
Is it too late to swap the model?

Regarding the Intelligent controller I decided against also. Isotherm will sell you a conversion kit which the say will work but even though my fridge was being shipped new made directly from the factory the don't install the option themselves! For now I am happy to keep it simple. I also left out the 220V shore power option for simplicity as it appeared just another thing that complicates.

Good luck with the install.
Tom
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