Adding refridgeration

sweetjohn · **Posted:** 14 Dec 2016 09:11

Our T37 "Sadie Mae" hull 185 (formerly "Isis") has never had refrigeration and i think installing it may be my winter project. has anyone done this? What is the best spot for the compressor? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
John

puffcard · **Posted:** 14 Dec 2016 15:57

This is a couple weekend job, think most T37 have refrigeration. First need a spare breaker, I'm full and have to add one. I located the compressor on the shelf under the sink as far inboard as possible. Ran the refrigerate lines behind the stove. Note to be careful of the stove's gimbal swing. Mine is air super cooled AB, does well even in the islands.

sweetjohn · **Posted:** 14 Dec 2016 19:51

Thanks will do, I had tried a search before i posted but i only found one about insulating the lid. i will try again

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

My compressor is in the cockpit lazarette. Shelf built high and outboard. High enough, you have to lean down to see it. Out of the way for sure. It'd Alder Barbour Air Super Cooled as well.

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

Mine is the same as Zdunc's. An old Adler Barbour unit that has been very reliable for the last 25 years--and that includes a couple years in Central America. I did have to replace the control unit a couple times until the new electronic one came out, but I think that has been resolved as a problem with them. Remember to block the holes at the bottom of your box as all the cold runs into your bilge if you do not. Also, air circulation in there is helpful as mine tends to freeze stuff at the bottom even when on the lowest setting. I had cold beer in Honduras and Panama. It is a fairly easy install. You will save energy by insulating the lines to and from the box to the compressor and by making sure the space in the lazerette is kept as cool as possible. I did open this a crack at night in the tropic when the engine had been run. The compressor is a heat pump and has to work much harder when it is in a warm place.

Ray Durkee
Velera #373

jvoelxen · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 15:36 **Posts:** 268

I have an AB unit also. I installed it a few years back. The compressor is installed on a shelf I built high in the stbd lazarett as described by Zach. It works great and has operated flawlessly. I turn mine on mid-May and turn it off mid Oct. Couldn't be happier.

Tartan37.com

Adding refridgeration

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