We had a small Electrolux on our last cat, and it worked well, at least
after I corrected the installation errors of the boat builder (this seems to
be quite common). Follow the dictates in the installation manual.
It is very important to have plenty of cooling air. I installed a small
radio Shack fan to pull more air through, and that really made a difference.
The burner wasn't on as long.
I learned from someone at an RV dealer to "burp" the unit by laying it on
each side for a day or so. IIRC this was at the start of the season, or when
it had been shut down for a while.
I wa told that they do need to stay reasonably level, but that the motion of
a boat aids the circulation of the ammonia.
They really were not designed for marine use, and have parts that do rust,
so you will need to wire brush, and spray paint some parts.
Lastly, you need to be careful about keeping gasoline fumes away from the
pilot light.

"Evan Gatehouse" wrote in message
...
I am considering a propane refrigerator on my 40' catamaran.
These propane fridges don't work well with monohulls
unless gimballed but cats do quite well with them. Gemini
cats use them as standard equipment (and they seem to
require little maintenance). My priorities are lightest
weight and reliability. I kept hearing "we've had a propane
fridge for 10+ years with no problems" on the Gemini owners
list.

If I went this route, it would be installed on the
bridgedeck cabin, venting into the cockpit and installed in
a gas tight box, separate from the rest of the boat.

I thought I would just take a stab at rough costs and weight
of two options. The results surprised me:

PROPANE

Weights: (lb)
1 extra 20 lb tank (aluminum) 13
full of propane 20
Norcold 5 ft^3 fridge 99
extra insulation 10
hose, fittings 4
Total weight 146 lbs

Costs:
20 lb tank 125
Norcold fridge 1000
extra insulation 50
hose/fittings 50
Total $1405

(I would already have regulator, alarm, solenoid because I
will have a propane stove)

ELECTRIC FRIDGE

Weights: (lb)
Home made box 50 lb
Ice box conversion kit 20 lb
extra solar panels 2x75 watt 35 lb
extra battery capacity ~120 lb
(say 2x60 lb golf cart batteries)
Total weight 225 lbs

Costs:
Home made box 100
Ice box conversion kit 850 (through careful shopping)
solar panels 650
extra battery 120
Total costs: $1720

I started this exercise convinced that a propane fridge
would be too heavy but now I'm leaning the other way! The
only variable I have left out of the cost side of things is
the cost of propane. But say the 20# tank lasts 1 month;
that's $150-200/year in extra propane. Probably the
increased reliability and lack of maintenance vs. an
electric fridge would offset this to some degree.

Now all I have to do is put some heating coils in the back
of the fridge to heat hot water and I'm set. No need for a
propane on demand hot water heater because the fridge is
doing the work for you. (o.k. I'm kidding about this)

Somebody tell me where I'm missing something on the
cost/weight comparison please!

Evan Gatehouse