I know this was 5 years ago, but am adding a Frigoboat to my Catalina 380 and this was very helpful. Thank you.

Wow the cable tie tip was nice

I just watched your fridge install video and there are some very easy things that you can do to increase the efficiency of the system. The compressor is variable speed and to minimize the total amps / 24h usage you want to run it at the slowest speed that will meet your cooling needs. The speed is controlled by the resistance in the thermostat wires. The typical mechanical thermostat will ussually have 1.5k-ohm which makes it run at max speed of 3500 rpm's. If you use 0-ohms, it runs at the lowest speed which is 2000rpm's. The other thing is to add a digital thermostat that measures the air temperature instead of the evaporator plate temperature, I use a common 12v Inkbird Tstat that costs less than $20. I then put a 0 to 1500 ohm pot on the line so that I can turn it up for when I am running the engine or shore power and down when on battery. On my system these changes took me from nearly 100-amps / day to 5--amps / day. A side benifit is much less annoying running. With the mechanical Tstat, it ran 5-min on and 10-min off 24/7 which was very annoying at night. Now it runs for about 20 minutes and shuts of for about 2-hours. I also like being able to see the box temperature from the digital display.

Cable tie tip blew my mind

So many useful guides, best howto Sail boat channel 👍

Your wife will like the fridge! Great job!

From one engineer to another, nice job!

Tie wraps bag... inspired and so simple. Looking forward to solar install.. thanks!

You my friend help out guys like me who hate reading instructions plus all the great tips and trick they should be filling the fridge for your great tutorial thanks man👍👍

Thank you for thinking about us Americans to put the conversions in your video! I see so many Americans making videos using metric measurements and they don't even think about the rest of their own countrymen to put the conversions in their videos. Subscribed!

another brilliant DIY video. Thanks again for sharing your skills. All the Very Best! Jim

This was a very detailed and helpful video. I'd like to see more how to videos.

We are planning on fitting one of these. Super detailed video of how to do it! Thanks Andy 🙂

I have watched all your “how to” vids. You are very clear and articulate 👍. Thanks

can't wait for that solar arch. good video.

I used a vacuum to pulled string through the stern railing with several bends. Worked great

Nice tidy job!

The conversion popups... most valuable!! Thank you soooooo much!! Didnt have to pause to google C* to F* !!!

I dont have a boat and I dont need a marine refrigerator. But, Im watching your vid anyway! +1

Another great DIY video. Honestly I thought you were going to remodel the boat and put in a giant refrigerator box. Cool that you can buy the compressor and cooling plate. Hi Emma, hi Rossella safe travel you three.

You are awesome!!! Thank you, just bought this kit and I look forward to cold beers!!!!

Always very entertaining and informative, Thanks

I'd like to say it was me with the horn in the outtakes, but apparently I am not the only tosser who's lost the plot. I ripped out my fridge over 25 years ago because of the amp draw. I also didn't have solar back then, so having to run my engine to keep my beer cold didn't make sense. With the advances that have been made it might be worthwhile putting one back in. I actually started with no interest in this video, and only came to see how much Emma has grown. As it turned out the video was informative, but I'm still left hanging for an update about Emma. Thanks for making this video Chris. I know it must have been a chore to accomplish on your own.

sorry I can't resist that horn outtake was THE FUNNIEST best laugh I've had in a while. BTW the know is also called "stopper knot" or "iron fist knot"

Nice video, you covered all the main points of the installation. Easy to understand and follow

Lol love the outtakes...

indeed there is a knot for that and I have you to thank for me finding appx a yr ago it is the "icicle hitch" I found it after watching your video on hanging a hammock from the stays on your boat and had to have that on mine. I rec everyone learn that knot as it really will hold on an icicle. thanks again for sharing! always good ideas coming from Britaly!!

Thank you! your guide has convinced me to buy and install a refrigerator on board my small sailboat. Very illustrative.

Absolutely 🐓on mate! Best cooler video ever! Sort them hole saws out before you go south "screwfix". Seriously, a lot of work went into making this video its a great how to. Sail Safe. Ant & Cid xx (SV Impavidus) Shared !

You did a great job!

I learn something new everyday, thanks for the class! I wonder if you can do this for an on board freezer? I seen a guy that had like two lay down fridges and two freezers under the dining area seats , wow !

Wow, 3.15a is very good. Better than some of the camping 12v fridges. - thanks for showing the isotherm setup. Was considering buying the bigger kit to get my built in freezer going.

I installed a similar "fridge kit" on our previous boat and thankfully it was also successful but I do enjoy your systematic approach and attention to detail which made watching very entertaining. I routed my compressor pipes down under the fridge box and into the adjoining seat locker so I wondered why you chose the route to the side and down in the "wall' locker instead?

Another useful and well edited video. Nice job Chris!

Excellent how to. Very well done! Thank you for sharing!

Great video Chris as ever. Hope you enjoyed your shandy!

So glad I found this video! Just fitting the same thing myself and nowhere in the instructions does it tell you where or how to connect the temperature sensor wire from the thermostat. Has no idea thats what the little plate was for! Thanks

Hello us again, was thinking of paying someone to fit mine but am going to give it a go my self now Thanks mate

Fixing the thermostat capillary on ther evaporator plate causes the Danfos refrigeration compressor to cycle on/off. This reduces the chilling effect. I will explain, when the compressor runs the evaporator plate gets cold quickly, condensation forms on it's surface, which then turns to frost. The capillary, if fitted in contact with the evaporator plate, will be at the same temperature and it open-circuits the compressor 12V supply and the compressor stops. The evaporator plate soon defrosts and with it the capillary, the thermostat switch becomes closed, 12V supply to the compressor is restored and the compressor runs again. In practice, the compressor can be observed switching on/off every couple of minutes, depending on how quickly the evaporator plate frosts and defrosts. I will suggest this reduces the refrigeration capacity by as much as 50%, which may not be desired when plenty amp-hours are available. A better solution, which enables the thermostat to control the enclosed refrigerated space temperature more effectively, is to mount the capillary tube close to, although not in direct contact, with the evaporator plate. That's exactly what I have done on our sailing yacht and the unit works much better. i.e The Danfos refrigeration compressor runs for as long as it takes for the thermostat set-point temperature to be reached to maintain the desired temperature range according to the thermostat setting.

Thanks for sharing.

Cool content 😎. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent presentation sir.

Like the cable tie tip

nice vid chris as always

Thanks Chris good job and video

Thanks mate! Super useful! Greatly appreciated

Avoid drill breakout: Clamp a piece of wood flush and covering the outside of the hole being drilled. Or, with hole saws, drill one side half way through then finish the hole from the other side.

Thanks for posting this

Good job that, a worthwhile improvement.

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

great video and tips. I just bought the GE80 and will keep this vid handy when I do my installation. Cheers

Great vid’ very helpful thanks. I am now confident I can do the job myself.

very neat install.

Thanks for that. Great Manual. I learned new skill thanks of you.😍

Very good diy video. Love it ! Moar please 😁

Cool. Both metaphorically and literally I guess!

Very cool. Thank you for this installation guide :)

I'm constantly chasing those damned cable ties! Thanks for the tip!

Thx guys need to di same job to my boat!

Great DIY video, keep us the good work.

Hi guys, thank you for watching! For more information about this job, including a total price for all the parts needed, check out this link ➜ bit.ly/BritalyFridge❄️ Fair winds, Chris, Rossella & Emma 😊 p.s. Today is Emma's 18 month 'birthday'. It's crazy how fast time is passing!

You have a new follower! Nice job here! Hope to sail aroud you one day. Cheer from Canada.

isotherm is a quality item.

Love the cable tie tip, thanks mate

👍👍👍 always great money saving ideas.

Excellent video. Many thanks for sharing. Nice boat as well...

MERCI !

Very Clean & Neat. Great Job‼️👍👍. Vinny 🇺🇸

Dielectric grease on those compressor power connections... Only a suggestion... Nice work..

V.good installation. The only thing extra I would've done would be to lag the suction pipe as that can get condensation on it.

Great, great job, after this video I do it too

Great Video, Thank You.

This was very useful. Thanks.

Great video Chris, not got one myself and not sure I have the space but I know where to come if I do. Andy uk

Hi mate thanks

Didn’t know it when beginning my icebox conversion, but Jeanneau thoughtfully drilled the needed holes, ran wiring, and dedicated a space for the compressor

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. I noticed that you didn't talk about refilling the refrigerant. How often will you be topping her up?

Great video!!!

at 26:52 you mean cubic feet - not square feet...but I am sure you know that. Great video...I will never open a bag of cable ties the wrong way again!

Nice job if I do say so myself. I think I might make a fortune once I get cruzing full time 345.00 Can$ Oops that's whole sale😉 .. The condenser ,as it is " called", is designed max for 90f condensing , so make sure you watch that temperature Not only do you break down the oil but your sub cooling temp will effect your efficiency and motor life . This is what ends up popping your compressor. Also check your voltage at the compressor while running (under load). Make sure your voltage Is in + - range . Another common issue . Other then that two thumbs up .. Enjoy your beers Fairwinds from the @captains.chair And yes that's what I do plus a few million BTU.😉

Love the cable tie tip. #lifehack I've had a car boot full of cable ties because i cut the corner a few years ago.

Very nice Video....nice Reference of kowledge find in this video

Excellent video, thanks! I'm considering installing the same unit you did, or one size down (the Isotherm 2010-ISCE) for my 3.7 cubic foot ice box. After a year, are you still happy with your choice? Does it cool well even in the hottest weather? I'm probably going with the air cooled over the SP to avoid having to install the special thru hull, as you said.

Great installation I have 36’ Pearson Need to the same

Good job. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ 5 Snowflakes for you 😎 Any concerns with the condenser being close to what looks like a heater vent outlet? It might not rain there but I bet it gets cold enough to use the heater a bit!

Really enjoyed this installation. Is there a reason for this type of cold plate versus a stainless steel holding plate? After puncturing a refridge plate like you installed I have been leary of them every since. smile. Excellent install. Especially using the U shaped channels in the bildge to run cabling. Good job, mate.

Very, very useful guide. Question: I connected the capillary hose second in stead of first. Will this be a problem when I will start the unit?

Lots of questions. But first thank you and you did a very nice job. Did that unit come precharged? You did tot have to evacuate the lines. Do you know the 24 hour electrical load when normal on board use. In apox 30 deg c. Thank you Mike

Did you seal up the 3 holes in the left side of the ice box by the evaporation plate? Great installation of the refrigerator system in your boat.

the other thing that will help keep down energy usage is how much mass is in the unit....if a lot of the foodstuffs have been emptied out, fill up the space with cans or bottles of water....

How is the stainless steel joined? is it welded or have they used some gap filling epoxy? I need to line my fridge, but thought welding the seams would be way to hot and destroy the insulation behind it. Unless they made the stainless box first and dropped it in I guess....

Hi there, great video thanks. I don't suppose you remember what diameter hole you had to drill in the fridge side to pass the capillary and pipe connections through? And also on the compressor what direction does the fan blow? I'm just working out installation and wondering how to best place the compressor in order to get air pulled from a bilge area and warm air pushed out or my cupboard. Thanks again :)

I love your vids. Too bad you don't post anymore. :/

might i suggest synthetic grease on the electrical connections to prevent corrosion

I've never seen a case where the caps are not color-coordinated between the correct male and female. And to make matters much worse, the couplings seem to be identical. PS Fortunately, there is a difference. However, they should print on the user manual cover that only professionals should install this component system. (I notice that the manual does not state which models it's intended for.)

3:13 what are those connections called? Quick Couplings? And do you know if they can be installed post market? I'm doing some maintenance on my compressor (101n220 controller and bd35f compressor in a campervan) and would like to fit such connections to make future maintenance easier. Thanks for the great video btw!

Thanks for this video. I just bought my own cooling unit from this brand, but the manual doesn't say anything about where to place the thermostat sensor head within the box. Where did you place it in your box? Cheers

It looks like you used spade connectors on the positive and negative cables. Would Anderson power poles also work?

Question: I connected the capillary hose second in stead of first. Will this be a problem when I will start the unit?

This video was great, am subscribed to your channel! I am starting to research the process of converting my icebox to a fridge and stubbled across your video, now I feel confident with installing it. Two questions, what made you go with Isotherm and I am trying to find your video on making sure the "now fridge" is well insulated, can you point me to that link.