Waeco boat refrigerators

On a recent offshore passage, we had an opportunity to take a first look at a portable refrigerator that has changed the way we think of onboard refrigeration. We used a

Waeco Adler/Barbour Coolmatic CF-50, a compressor- type refrigerator box the size of a large cooler, but without the appetite for ice of a cooler.

The CF-50 measures 25 by 14 by 19 inches tall, and has a lid that can be easily set to open from either side. It weighs just under 40 pounds and has a convenient lifting handle at each end.

At the start of the cruise the box was set on one of its colder settings to store frozen food, and we found that the items were chilled to a granitic hardness.

Good news for sailors is that the box will operate properly at a continuous angle of heel of 30 degrees, and the only requirement when stowing it is to provide ventilation for the heat exchanger. In practice that means you can’t sit the box tight against a bulkhead, which never presented a problem either on board or in tests on land.

The literature for the refrigerator promises that it will be able to deliver a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting, and when we came ashore we set up

a CF-50 (the number refers to ` ` its capacity, 49 liters, or 52 quarts) with its supplied AC/DC transformer and set it for its coldest temperature.

With the box empty it cycled more often than it would in the real world, so we set two one-gallon jugs of water in the box to freeze, providing some thermal mass. The box temperature got down to –5 degrees Fahrenheit, freezing the jugs of water so hard they nearly rang when we tapped on the side of the plastic jug.

The temperatures are set by pressing a button that sequences through a series of settings indicated by a row of lights. The temperature settings go in steps of

roughly nine degrees Fahrenheit, from –4 to 50 degrees.

As noted above, we  recorded a low of –5 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting, and found that a steady temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit was obtained at just below the midpoint of the range of lights.

We took the box on a two-week trip on land, installing it in the back seat of a convertible as we toured some of the national parks in the western states.

At times the gray lid on the box became almost too hot to touch as the August sun beat down on it, but inside the box the picnic supplies and rolls of film remained

cool, and even foods sitting next to the walls, where the coils are sited, never froze.

We plugged it into the cigarette lighter plug without worrying that it would drain the battery, as there is a three-position switch on the CF-50 that shuts it off when the supplying voltage drops below a certain level. The cutout voltage settings are 12 volts for high, 11.2 for medium and 10.7 for the low setting. For those with a 24-volt system the settings are 24.8, 23.2 and 21.7 volts.

Average current consumption is roughly 45 watts at 12-volts DC, and we found the compressor operated running time was six to eight minutes per hour to keep it at 38 degrees Fahrenheit with the box in our office and in the heat of the sun the operating time went up to 12 to 15 minutes per hour. The compressor is so quiet that it is difficult to tell when it is running. The operating time would be reduced if the optional insulating blanket, offered by Waeco, were to be used. In our office test, a 12-volt, 80- amp/hour rated, group-24- size battery ran the CF-50 at 38 degrees Fahrenheit for two days before shutting off at the medium (11.2 volts) setting.

We were very impressed with the performance of the CF-50. It never failed to work perfectly, never drained the battery to the point that the car wouldn’t start the next day at either “high” or “medium” settings and food stayed dry and cool, untainted by a rising tide of melted ice. The recent power blackout over much of the Northeast evidenced another excellent use for the CF-50, that of a standby refrigerator. It’s big enough to save a lot of the food in your freezer and could make ice to put in the house refrigerator to keep things cool there. The Waeco CF-50 gets the seal of approval, with impressive performance, solid mechanics and great versatility.

YACHT INTERIORS ...

Space is in short supply onboard a boat or yacht. Therefore, it’s important to make the most of what's available. The interior design of the CoolMatic MDC refrigerators is a good example of how this can be done. Its optimum utilisation of space in height, width and depth, the spacious freezer compartments, the vertical space for 1.5-litre bottles as well as the absence of unnecessary decorative elements illustrate the well thought-out design.

DETAILS

All interior shelves are adjustable in height and have a retaining bar at the front edge. A special fixing device makes sure that they stay firmly in place in all situations. Fold-up sections in the shelves provide additional room for large bottles or bulky items.

During the inauguration ceremony of METS Amsterdam, the world’s leading trade show for marine equipment, WAECO’s brand-new CoolMatic CR series of built-in refrigerators was granted the renowned DAME Design Award 2006 in the category “Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins”.The multinational jury particularly commended the excellent design of the innovative, tropical-rated high-end refrigerators–the well-balanced blend of styling, functionality and construction.

This year’s edition of the annual Design Award METS competition attracted 136 companies from all over the world presenting a total of 166 product innovations. The coveted trophy was granted in five different categories. In its 16th year now, the award has evolved into the most prestigious and worldwide leading design prize of its kind.

When making assessments under the DAME rules, the jurors not only consider the design, the originality and the use of the products, but also the ratio of price to performance. And that’s something where the WAECO CoolMatic CR compressor refrigerators are a safe bet providing great value for money and low running costs. At a power consumption of 40 to 45 watts, the award-winning refrigerators use as little power as a small light bulb.

Compressor refrigerators – ice-cold professionals on board!

Different product lines to suit varying demands...

It takes a wide and diverse range of refrigerators to meet our customers’ individual demands. The WAECO CoolMatic series is perfect for choice. With six different model ranges on offer, our customers can be sure of finding the very appliance to suit their needs and individual onboard situation.

Exclusive homelike cooling comfort

Tropical-rated compressor refrigerators with elegant, functional design and perfect equipment: Danfoss compressor, separate *** freezer compartment, double door lock, interior light and a lot more.

Premium design with cool blue light inside

Recessed door grips

Functional cooling space

Separately insulated *** freezer compartment – tropical-rated

Patented lock: close or vent

Installation with standard or flush-mount frame

Tropical-rated

Impeccable operation in inclined positions

Stainless steel interior and stainless steel front

Compressor refrigerators with direct evaporator: the CoolMatic RSD series comes with stainless steel door panels and interiors. The fold-up front grille protects the contents from sliding. Powerful compressor technology with cool elegance and practical details.

Easy to clean and hygienic: door panel and interior in stainless steel

Standard and flush-mount frame available as optional extra

Ideal for use on sailing and motor yachts, in caravans or motorhomes

Impeccable operation in inclined positions

Onboard refrigerators with cold accumulator

Energy saving compressor refrigerators with electronic programm controller (RSA) or manual thermostat (RPA). Door panel and interior in high-grade stainless steel – hygienic and easy to clean.

With manually adjustable thermostat (RPA series) or TEC electronic programme control (RSA series)

Easy to clean and hygienic: door panel and interior in stainless steel

Standard and flush-mount frame available as optional extra

Ideal for use on sailing and motor yachts, in caravans or motorhomes

Impeccable operation in inclined positions

Onboard refrigerators in absorption dimensions

More power and more comfort in caravans and motorhomes: CoolMatic MDC refrigerators have the same dimensions as commonly used absorption refrigerators – but provide considerably more useful capacity and cooling performance. No need to install a gas supply, and no need for ventilation either. Ideal for solar operation.

No need to install a gas supply, no air intake/outlet required

Highly energy-efficient and therefore very suitable for solar operation

Impeccable operation in inclined positions

Onboard fridge for highest demands

A cooling appliance of superlatives, tailor-made for the top end of the marine market. Outside, a reinforced insulation that resists all temperature fluctuations. Inside, well thoughtout just like a domestic fridge. It’s name? WAECO CoolMatic RPD-190.

Premium refrigerator for larger yachts: ultimate power and convenience!

Flush-mount installation frame available as standard

Condenser ventilation with fan

With integrated mains adapter for 110 – 240 volts AC

Impeccable operation in inclined positions

Jumbo-size cooling on the move

With capacities ranging from 160 to 220 litres, these low-priced units are as big as household refrigerators. Useful extras: the spacious, pull-out multiboxes and two separate doors for the cooling and freezing compartments (HDC-190 and HDC-220). The perfect refrigerators for yachts and commercial shipping.

For larger yachts and commercial shipping

Separate doors for refrigeration and freezer compartments on the HDC-190 and HDC-220

Spacious pull-out fruit/vegetable bins

Impeccable operation in inclined positions