Freezer Fridge Ozefridge

[rockman]

As a past 26M owner, I thought others may be interested in my story of a modifcation I recently made to my new keel boat. If you are considering a built in fridge/freezer on your Mac, then one of these may be the answer.

In this fast paced world, many people forget to thank those that go the extra mile (or is it kilometre?) in customer service. But I would like to share my experience during the recent installation of a freezer on my yacht. After researching the various options, a eutectic fridge with a power monitoring system from Ozefridge was selected. As I was unable to measure the freezer space myself, I relied on the advice of the Catalina dealer. But he did not follow the advice in the brouchure, and selected a plate two sizes too small. So the incorrectly sized plate was selected and installed. It did not help then the third party installer did not follow the instructions and mounted the small plate too low in the box. Throw in some damage to the unit during installation and it all just seemed like it was not meant to happen.
Now, I also got the fresh water cooling system included, this cycles water from the fresh water tank through the heat exchanger, to help the efficiency of the unit. When they did turn it all on, the house pressure pump kept running when the freezer compressor ran. Instead of asking “why is the pressure pump running”, they just dismissed it as “it must have air in the system, it will work itself out”.

Of course, the claim experts (they both had 30years of boating experience) had connected the water lines to the positive side of the pressure pump, so every time the compressor cycled, it opened the cooling water circuit, and the pressure pump forced water through the system. They had also wired up the little water pump incorrectly (I do not think they even opened the instruction manual).

Well, by this stage I was getting frustrated, what was meant to take half a day to install, had taken 2 days and still did not work. I got a friend to take a look at it, and sort out the water circuit issues, and the unit did get cold. But with a plate that was far too small, it did not keep everything in the icebox frozen.

But then the guys from Ozefridge stepped in. Not only did they offer to replace the damaged components, they also offered to upgrade the eutectic plate at cost price (went up two sizes, and almost double the volume). Then they organised their local service agent to come and remove the old unit, and install the replacement bits. All they wanted to do was make sure I was happy with my decision to install an Ozefridge. Jeff Green from Ozefridge even called me on the Saturday and Sunday to track the progress of the problems. Now it’s all installed and working, and my sincere thanks go out to Jeff at Ozefridge for the time and effort he put into fixing a problem that was not his. I know what brand freezer I will install in my next boat!

I have no commercial interest in the company – just a very happy customer

[DaveB]

Rockman,
We don't have bulletin's for freezer or cooling for a Mac. X or M. Best system I have used is the Adler Barber system and that comes with air or Water cooled system. Water system means you have to have a Thur hull water intake with water strainer in Latitudes below 25 degrees Lat, air cooled you need a enclosed heavy insulated box to hook any type of Refrigeration. unit into. Also have lots of knowledge in Cold Plate systems.
Larger boats like you have maybe practicable but not for a Max.
Cold plate systems are not practical on our Max. I could go into deep with this but what Mac. Owners want is efficient refrig. for a short or extended cruise.
Bottom line is if anyone wanted to built in a Ice box with a Adler Barber system air cooled go for it as most of us cruise in a week or less with a Portable Rifig/freezer that works well...acually very well! with very low amp draw compared to any builtins!I do a 4 day min. without starting engine on my twin house 27 deep cycles running the frig. and all elect. without getting to 50% discharge.
Keep the Mac. easy,cool and lively to enjoy.
Dave

As a past 26M owner, I thought others may be interested in my story of a modification I recently made to my new keel boat. If you are considering a built in fridge/freezer on your Mac, then one of these may be the answer.

In this fast paced world, many people forget to thank those that go the extra mile (or is it kilometre?) in customer service. But I would like to share my experience during the recent installation of a freezer on my yacht. After researching the various options, a eutectic fridge with a power monitoring system from Ozefridge was selected. As I was unable to measure the freezer space myself, I relied on the advice of the Catalina dealer. But he did not follow the advice in the brouchure, and selected a plate two sizes too small. So the incorrectly sized plate was selected and installed. It did not help then the third party installer did not follow the instructions and mounted the small plate too low in the box. Throw in some damage to the unit during installation and it all just seemed like it was not meant to happen.
Now, I also got the fresh water cooling system included, this cycles water from the fresh water tank through the heat exchanger, to help the efficiency of the unit. When they did turn it all on, the house pressure pump kept running when the freezer compressor ran. Instead of asking “why is the pressure pump running”, they just dismissed it as “it must have air in the system, it will work itself out”.

Of course, the claim experts (they both had 30years of boating experience) had connected the water lines to the positive side of the pressure pump, so every time the compressor cycled, it opened the cooling water circuit, and the pressure pump forced water through the system. They had also wired up the little water pump incorrectly (I do not think they even opened the instruction manual).

Well, by this stage I was getting frustrated, what was meant to take half a day to install, had taken 2 days and still did not work. I got a friend to take a look at it, and sort out the water circuit issues, and the unit did get cold. But with a plate that was far too small, it did not keep everything in the icebox frozen.

But then the guys from Ozefridge stepped in. Not only did they offer to replace the damaged components, they also offered to upgrade the eutectic plate at cost price (went up two sizes, and almost double the volume). Then they organised their local service agent to come and remove the old unit, and install the replacement bits. All they wanted to do was make sure I was happy with my decision to install an Ozefridge. Jeff Green from Ozefridge even called me on the Saturday and Sunday to track the progress of the problems. Now it’s all installed and working, and my sincere thanks go out to Jeff at Ozefridge for the time and effort he put into fixing a problem that was not his. I know what brand freezer I will install in my next boat!

I have no commercial interest in the company – just a very happy customer

[rockman]

Rockman,
We don't have bulletin's for freezer or cooling for a Mac. X or M. Best system I have used is the Adler Barber system and that comes with air or Water cooled system. Water system means you have to have a Thur hull water intake with water strainer in Latitudes below 25 degrees Lat, air cooled you need a enclosed heavy insulated box to hook any type of Refrigeration. unit into. Also have lots of knowledge in Cold Plate systems.
Larger boats like you have maybe practicable but not for a Max.
Cold plate systems are not practical on our Max. I could go into deep with this but what Mac. Owners want is efficient refrig. for a short or extended cruise.
Bottom line is if anyone wanted to built in a Ice box with a Adler Barber system air cooled go for it as most of us cruise in a week or less with a Portable Rifig/freezer that works well...acually very well! with very low amp draw compared to any builtins!I do a 4 day min. without starting engine on my twin house 27 deep cycles running the frig. and all elect. without getting to 50% discharge.
Keep the Mac. easy,cool and lively to enjoy.
Dave

It took me a while to work out what you were talking about - I think you meant a built-in not a bulletin.
Yes, I realise that most Mac owners go for a portable unit. I know I did on mine (I used a 50litre Waeco). But then again, if you were looking at a built-in system, one of these would be worth considering.
By the way - they do come with water cooling - but you do not have to install a through hull filling, as it cycles the water from the fresh water tank. Plus, using a built in - you get the chance to make a much more efficent icebox.

I always thought that the best option, would be to take up some of the rear berth, by building a large locker along one side of the hull. With an opening from the cockpit, it would provide plenty of storage - accesible from the cockpit.

[Boblee]

Thanks for that Rockman will be looking at a different refrig system shortly when I work out what I will do after selling the Mac (hopefully) but am dissapointed in the efficiency of the Evercool unit in the tropics especially when running on freeze full of fish.