Refrigeration

[Sean]

Has anyone added any type of refrigeration to a H240? Is it possible? I am planning a week long cruise in September, and it would be nice to have. The only thing I have come up with is possibley using a cooler that plugs into a cigarete type lighter. I've seen these in vehicles before, but I'm not sure how much amps they would pull. Any ideas? I would like to use the space that was provided for the cooler.

[Michael Teets]

I used one on my 26... it was fine for short periods but definitely not for a week. They draw about 4 amps continuous so they will drain your battery in less than 4 hours in practice. The best solution I found is to freeze gallon jugs of water and use them as the method of cooling and your drinking water source as they melt.Michael Teetsex-Hunter 26 owner

[Jim Covey]

Sean,I've contemplated the Igloo Survivor which will run off DC / AC / or propane. The only draw back is the price. West has it listed for about $450. Cheaper than installed refrigeration but still a lot of money. It's way down on my list right now.Jim Coveys/v Wampeter

[Andrew Keddie]

Sean,It depends on the climate and type of sailing you do. We have a small Thermoelectric fridge/cooler on our 240 here in the UK that is just fine and fits under the forward berth next to the chemical toilet. Current draw is high at about 4 amps but we have a 105 amp/hour battery and a mains powered charger so we hook up every night to recharge. We have sailed that way for up to 10 days with no problem at all. If you don't like or don't sail near marinas with shore power then it is not really a viable option. If you do then any of the cheap models (less than $100 I would guess) would do just fine. We couldn't find one to fit where the standard igloo coolbox is placed, but it means you can use the standard igloo for all the dry/boxed food instead.Two extra points to think about:1/ Get a mains adapter so you can cool down the box before leaving home, and it is best to make sure the food/drink is chilled before putting it in the box.2/ Run it from the car cigar socket on the way to the boat. We think they are so good that we also bought a 40 litre igloo version (for about $140) to use in our minivan on one day shopping trips to France!Good luck,Andrew

[Ken Shubert]

We've sailed with friends who used dry ice to keep their ice cream cold. A small piece of dry ice seems to last a long time. You probably don't take too many week long cruises on a H240 so this might be the most economical appoach. Try wrapping a good cooler with a sleeping bag or blankets for double insulation too. Be sure to ventilate the area of any cooler with dry ice since it will give off some carbon dioxide as it warms up. Most important is not to open it until necessary.Let us know what you use.Ken S/V Wouff Hong

[Steve Wright]

Here in Wichita, Kansas we can buy aCooler, The Coleman Extreme, It is byfar the best long term cooler made.It has an insulated sealed lid, andtwo inch thick insulation in the sidesand bottom. Ten pounds of ice lasts three or four days in my cooler. I havetwo of them, and even use mine to takefrozen food when I go to the BVI's.If you cannot buy one in your area,contact me and I will get one and shipit to you. Call me at 316-540-3526.Home E-mail:stevewright-cheneykansas@worldnet.att.net

[Pelican]

Good responses to this question. Consider a two battery system for one used to operate a cooler only but as pointed out, a battery will last depending usage and heat 3-41/2 hours. The problem is charging your battery. Your 8 hp engine which has an alternator might keep it topped off but it will not recharge the battery if used or drawn down too much. I wonder about a small 4 hp generator say for example by Yamaha I think would be the ticket to charge that battery which you would be able to buy locally

[Stephen Dawes]

The Coleman Extreme really works. We bought one at Dick's Sporting Goods , Raleigh NC (none of the marine stores carried it) for $30 I think. It has rubber seals and thick insulation. Our ice survived four days+ at Cape Lookout NC in 90 deg. heat! The igloo that came with the boat has now been relegated to backup.Stephen Dawes H260 Tender Morsel