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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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If you have questions that are not answered here, please email us and we will try to answer your question as soon as possible.
Frigoboat keel cooler systems:
How does the Frigoboat keel cooler work?
Why is it more efficient than other systems?
Will it work in tropical waters, & will I be able to keep ice cream & make ice for drinks?
How much current will it draw?
How do I decide what size & type of evaporator is right for my application?
What is so special about the compressor?
Do I need a refrigeration technician to install a system?
Where can I buy a Frigoboat system?
What is the warranty coverage on a Frigoboat system?
Who is Frigoboat, & why have I not heard of them before?
Who is Coastal Climate Control, Inc.?
On large commercial & fishing boats, the cooling water from engines, generators, etc., is often circulated through pipes that are mounted on the underside of the boat, below the waterline. This gives a very efficient method of cooling without having to pump raw water into the boat & then discharge it. We have borrowed the term "keel cooler" to describe a unique fitting that is installed through the bottom of the boat, below the waterline, with the boat out of the water.
How does the Frigoboat keel cooler work?
The keel cooler condenser fitting has two copper tubes projecting from it, & these are connected together through a cupro-nickel loop that is cast into the sintered bronze. Through the action of the compressor, the hot, high pressure refrigerant gas is circulated through the keel cooler where it is cooled & condensed into a cool, high pressure liquid that is then fed to the evaporator (the part that is in the insulated box). Here it is subjected to a large pressure drop & evaporates (boils) at a very low temperature before being fed back to the compressor as a cool, low-pressure gas.
Why is it more efficient than other systems?
In small, 12v dc refrigeration systems, the most popular method of cooling & condensing the refrigerant gas is with an air cooled condenser coil, usually with a fan forcing air over it. This is also common in domestic refrigerators, & the efficiency depends on the temperature of the cooling air. The system is essentially removing heat from the insulated box & giving it up to the cooling air, & if an air cooled condenser is installed in an enclosed space, the air will be re-circulating & getting hotter & hotter, making the system less & less efficient.
A water cooled condenser is generally regarded as being at least 20% more efficient than an air cooled equivalent, & so, as a boat is usually sitting in water, it would make sense to substitute a water cooled heat exchanger for the air cooled version mentioned above. All that is then needed is a pumping system to bring water into the boat, through the condenser coil, & then overboard. This will result in a far more efficient system, but it has drawbacks, the most significant & obvious being the 1 amp (typical at 12v dc) current draw of the pump. Pump failure, clogged strainers, noise & inconvenience are some other negative factors of a pump-fed, water cooled system, so if we replace it with a keel cooler we now have the most efficient system of all, together with minimum current draw (compressor only), almost silent operation, unequaled reliability, & mechanical simplicity.
Will it work in tropical waters, & will I be able to keep ice cream & make ice for drinks?
The Frigoboat keel cooler has been carefully designed & tested to work in conditions exceeding those found in the harshest of environments, & the warmest of waters. If you have not seen the working keel cooler system at boat shows, you will have missed the opportunity to sample rock-hard high-fat ice cream. This is being kept in a cooler with only 1" insulation that is cooled by an off-the-shelf 12v keel cooler system running in 85 deg F or higher water temperature, & drawing just over 3 amps! There are several ingenious ways to make ice, & kits are available.
How much current will it draw?
This is a very difficult question to answer, as there are so many variables. How big is the box? How thick is the insulation? What is the water temperature? What is the ambient air temperature? What is the temperature in the box? What is the operating voltage? etc., etc. In general, operating on 12 volts at 3500 rpm, as a refrigerator it will probably draw between 4 & 4.5 amps, & as a freezer, between 3 & 3.5 amps. Run times can be estimated by consulting the "Consumption Guide", & from that the daily amp/hours consumed can be approximated.
Is the Frigoboat keel cooler more efficient than another system I have seen that uses a modified thru-hull fitting for the condenser?
Both systems work on the same principle & will probably show comparable performance when the boat is under way or rocking in a choppy anchorage. But whereas the Frigoboat keel cooler dissipates the heat into the water surrounding it, the modified thru-hull heats up the water inside the thru-hull which is recessed up into the boat. Unless the vessel has substantial motion, the heated water cannot escape, so that as the column of water heats up, the system becomes increasingly less efficient.
How do I decide what size & type of evaporator is right for my application?
You will first need to measure or calculate the cubic volume of the box to be refrigerated, & estimate the thickness of the insulation. From these figures you can decide what size evaporator to use by consulting the spec sheet. There are 3 types available: a flat plate that can be mounted on one wall or bent to conform to the shape of the box; a vertical bin that started out as a flat plate, & has been formed into an oval shape & a bottom added; & a horizontal model which is similar to a bin, but with the addition of a door secured by bungee cord. For dedicated refrigerators or freezers the flat plate works best & takes up the least room. If you have adjoining boxes separated by an insulated barrier, the flat plate can be mounted in the freezer side and the temperature in the refrigerator controlled with a spill-over fan & thermostat. In a single box application, either a vertically mounted bin or a horizontal model will give a freezing section in the enclosed area while keeping the rest of the box at refrigerator temperatures. If you are planning an all-freezer box or a spill-over system, remember to order a freezer thermostat. If you want the ability to be able to make a box either a refrigerator or a freezer, order a dual thermostat. Stainless steel, brine filled holding plates are also available for special applications.
What is so special about the compressor?
The compressors used in the Frigoboat systems are the BD35 & BD50 made in Germany by Danfoss. This is a new design of 12/24 volt compressor that has a 4 speed, brushless, 3-phase motor powered by an electronic controller. Compared to previous models, these compressors are more efficient, draw less current, & are smaller & lighter. Thanks to the combination of these high efficiency compressors & the Frigoboat keel cooler, we can now install these systems in applications that only a year or two ago would require a bulky, costly, & mechanically unpredictable holding plate system. Many boats have multiple systems installed, & owners appreciate the silent operation, even box temperatures, & the piece of mind that, although highly reliable, there is some redundancy in case of a breakdown.
Do I need a refrigeration technician to install a system?
No. Each component of a Frigoboat system is shipped pre-charged with refrigerant R134a and with copper connecting lines that terminate in male & female fittings. When the fittings of two components are connected together it releases the refrigerant and the circuit is completed. The final seal in the fittings is accomplished with an o-ring, so they do not require to be wrenched down tight & are not prone to refrigerant leaks in freezing conditions, as is common with metal-to-metal seals used by other manufacturers. No refrigeration knowledge or experience is necessary, no special tools are required, & a comprehensive installation manual is shipped with every system.
Where can I buy a Frigoboat system?
If you plan to install a Frigoboat system yourself, you can buy the parts direct from Coastal Climate Control, Inc., but if you are contracting an installer or boat yard to do the job it would be best for them to buy the parts and charge you for a complete installation. Frigoboat systems are not available through discount catalogs.
What is the warranty coverage on a Frigoboat system?
Every system is covered by the manufacturer's one-year warranty. In most cases a replacement part will be sent out by Coastal Climate Control, Inc. from Annapolis, MD, to be easily & quickly installed by the boat operator with the minimum of system downtime. Even out-of-warranty repairs are normally handled the same way to minimize inconvenience. There is a comprehensive worldwide dealer network.
Who is Frigoboat, & why have I not heard of them before?
Frigoboat marine refrigeration systems have been made in Italy for 25 years by Veco S.p.A., & are Europe’s leading manufacturer in this field. Indeed, in many countries the name "Frigoboat" is synonymous with marine refrigeration. Many large-volume & prestigious European boat builders install Frigoboat equipment, & the keel cooler system is rapidly becoming the standard of choice. Until recently Frigoboat systems have not received the exposure & support on this side of the Atlantic that the quality of the equipment has deserved, but that has changed now that Coastal Climate Control, Inc. is representing Frigoboat in the USA.
Who is Coastal Climate Control, Inc.?
Rob Warren established Coastal Climate Control, Inc., in 1991. He had drifted into the highly specialized world of marine refrigeration & air conditioning as a result of an inquiring mind and some unpleasant experiences with troublesome systems whilst employed as a captain aboard sail & power vessels in various parts of the world. Now, with over 12 years experience behind him, Rob has installed or serviced just about every proprietary & many one-off systems on a day-by-day basis. He has worked closely with many system manufacturers, & is well known & respected in the industry. His policy of providing the customer with the best possible system at reasonable cost, led him to research & field test Frigoboat keel coolers by personally installing over 75 systems in the last 3 years. The reliability, performance, quality of design & construction, & customer satisfaction inspired Rob to visit the Veco manufacturing plant near Milano, Italy where Frigoboat refrigeration & Climma air conditioning systems are made. A "meeting of the minds" between Rob & Carlo Formenti, president of Veco, resulted in Coastal Climate Control, Inc. having the honor of exclusively distributing Frigoboat products in the USA.
Coastal Climate Control, Inc
301.352.5738
frigoboat.com