(Bill Howard) wrote in message . com...
(Richard Kollmann) wrote in message . com...
Are the new12/24 volt refrigeration systems as good and efficient as
advertised? The full slide show that I use in my presentations can be
viewed on my web at; http://www.kollmann-marine.com

I have your book and have seen your slide show but what about Glacier
Bay's new Micro machine, is it as good as they claim it is? Do you
recommend them?

Bill, I new when I started preparing to write the 12 volt
refrigeration book, three years ago, that the book should cover the
more popular brands of 12 volt refrigeration with capacities of less
than 12,000 Btu per day. My book, Do It Yourself Boat Refrigeration
released in 2000 covered the systems over 12,000 Btu per day.

I saw a cutaway model of the Micro at the boat show; it is a nice
looking unit with interesting new technology for boat refrigeration.
It will take some time before these units reach South Florida, the
Bahamas and the Caribbean, which are the true proving grounds for
refrigeration. Maybe your posted interest in Glacier Bay's Micro
machine will be responded to by boat owners that have the Micro.

The refrigeration units that I recommend for extended cruising must
meet the following:
• The units or components must have accumulated a total aggregate of
100,000 hours in mobile refrigeration operation
• The system or its components must have a proven reliability rate of
..5 per 1000 hours or better.
• The system must match the owner's needs and function properly in the
intended cruising area climate.
• The system must be repairable locally.
• There must be more than one source for replacement parts.
• The company must have a good after market support record.
I realize that if everyone followed my conservative advice there would
be no state of the art improvements in boat refrigeration and we might
all still be buying ice.