Testing gadgets

We have a gas fridge. I have been pondering what I'd do if it failed. We don't have a big bank of leisure batteries (just one 100 amp) and no inverter (except a small 300w one for charging small items). We're basically 12v.

I'd probably take advantage of the colder weather in the winter, and store stuff outside in the fore deck.

In the summer, I could take advantage of the sun to provide enough amps to drive an electric fridge via solar. I'd probably go for a 12v as there is a loss of efficiency relying on an inverter.

I've always thought it's a lost cause having a fridge to keep stuff cool in the warm cabin, in the winter, when you can just use outside.

Have you considered a cool box?

I recently bought a Dellonda 15 litre compressor coolbox. UK company but obviously a Chinese product. £200. It's an ok item time will tell how long it lasts
It's only about a metre from the fire which is kept in all the time but the cool box hardly uses any power. My Victron shows solar input of around 150Wh daily recently and the cool box is using less than that as batteries are always full at end of daylight. So I reckon the coolbox uses around 12ah per day if that. Would be more in summer but also more solar power.

It is set at 4 degrees at the moment. And that's in a warm heated cabin.

Depending on how much you want to be able to store this might be a suitable alternative to a fridge.

I'm planning to get another one for use as a freezer in summer. They go down to -20 and being compressor driven they will actually do it.

Might get a 3rd one as well for beer.

I actually prefer a top loader to a fridge it's easier to get into it.

They arrr quite little though.


Having two would mean you could just use one for essential meat products in winter then in summer expand to using both units and take advantage of the extra solar power available.



You could put one in the semi trad area or front well deck which during winter would hardly use any power but would keep itself at the set temperature if the ambient did creep up at all.






I am surprised how quiet it is in operation. I think the compressor must be on rubber mounts as you can barely tell it is doing anything.

We store some stuff in a cupboard which is next to the water tank, that stays quite cool. I think some people have compartments to store small flatter items under the floor. The other option is hanging a sealed container in the water.

One boater I know has a daily walk routine to a food shop in the village every day. That way you don't need a fridge at all. Not so easy if you are on the move all of the time though.

The coolbox I have is also branded "Alpicool" and available on Amazon for £160. I don't use Amazon.