Grime posted this earlier. He is happy with his unit and the cost was less than a comparable Engel. Check it out....
Here is a link to a better description than I could give. I didn't pay their price for mine. I found mine on Ebay brand new never used of just under $800. http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Fridge-Freezer-50-Qt-10800472-P3626.aspx
Do they have a separate compressor and 'cooling plate" that can be mounted in an existing icebox? The answer to this is no
Im about to show my ignorance rather badly here, so please bare with me.
I was wondering why not use a small 110v "dorm" Fridge in these situations, the power draw on many are roughly the same as these 12v systems Engel and ARB are using, i realize salt water and such take there toll, but is it any worse on one as the other?
http://www.compactappliance.com/CRF321SS-EdgeStar-Midsize-Compact-Refrigerator-Freezer-Stainless-Steel/CRF321SS.html
this is the type ive been using in my cabin and i had thought about just taking it out and using it on any boat i get in place of the factory cooler. with solar and inverter to 110V of course
Somone please enlighten me.
I'm not the best to answer your questions. I do stand to be corrected.
With a 110volt fridge they are much larger than what Frank or I have. You are limited to space on a sailboat. Using 110 all the time with an inverter you will have to have much larger solar or wind or a combination of both to run the inverter. You could run a generator like some friends of my do. But then you have a fuel cost along with equipment break down like they have. Noise and more noise all the time.
Spending the money for my unit was hard to do. I don't have much choice as my food needs to be kept cold just to drink. Charlie J gets by with just a ice box. We did also on our 60 day cruise but had the worry of finding ice every couple of days.
I do plan to upgrade my battery system once I figure out how to arrange them. I want 2-6 volt for house and 1 12 volt Group 29 for starter. I have 60 watts of solar now.