Refrigeration

The Glacier Bay refrigeration system was chosen because of its reputation for rugged construction, dependability, and efficiency.  It consumes 28 amps per hour but, because of the effective insulation in the cabinet, it only runs about 1½ hours per day.  42 amps per day allocated for both refrigerator and freezer is an efficient use of power.

Because the system is sea-water cooled, instead of air-cooled, heat is more easily dissipated – especially important in the tropics.

Another reason the Glacier Bay was chosen is the air conditioner option.  With the addition of a heat exchanger, the compressor runs the cabin cooling system when it’s not cooling the refrigerator/freezer plates – this means air conditioning is available about 22½ hours per day.  A friend who operated a charter boat in Florida observed if you want to be near your wife in the tropics, you must have an air conditioner.  Enough said.

Cabin cooling is normally only used when docked in a sweltering marina on windless days.  At times like this, shore power is available so the added electrical consumption is not a drain on the battery bank.  At anchor and when underway, a nice cooling breeze is usually blowing which negates the need for additional cooling.  During summers in the Pacific Northwest, we rarely use air conditioning.  In the tropics, we would be glad it was available.