AC/DC SOLUTION

AC/DC SOLUTION

Apr 24, 2016 | Flotsam

AC/DC…this is how to rock on R.E.D.

We made this next improvement to reduce the battery draw while on shore power.  Even when plugged into an AC  source our Dometic CF50 cooler was always taking its power from the battery.

Original DC Adaptor

Original DC Plug

 

DC Adaptor Disassembled

DC Plug Disassembled

The original cigarette lighter plug was canabolized for parts.

AC to DC Adapter

AC to DC Adapter

This 110V to 12V converter will be active when plugged on shore power.  It has a backup connection for 12V which means if shore power is cut, it will automatically provide continual power from the battery to the cooler compressor (B- B+ connection)

Original Adaptor Now Converted to Permanent DC Terminals

Original DC Plug Now Attached to Permanent DC Terminals

 

 

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Connecting to House (B) Battery

 

 

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Ready to test

 

 

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Attached in Galley

 

 

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Some Supervision Required

 

 

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Secured on Plywood Backing

Baltic plywood painted and mounted during last year’s galley project (here) made it easy to secure the adapter.

 

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Plug to 110V GFCI Outlet

 

Cooler with its new mylar blanket (post of the making of here) back in place and ready for the season to begin.

Ready to Rock 'n Roll

Ready to Rock ‘n Roll

The Essentials

Essentials Nicely Chiiled

 

 

AC/DC SOLUTION
Ingredients
  • 110V to 12V converter
  • electrical tape
  • wire cutters
  • crimping tool
  • terminal connectors
  • beer
Instructions

 

PROVISIONING: Refrigeration

PROVISIONING: Refrigeration

Aug 22, 2013 | Flotsam

Limited space and concern for power usage are the big factors on a boat
when it comes to refrigeration.
Some boaters use only camping coolers with blocks of ice.
Some use actual refrigerators with freezers.
We split the difference and have a little of both…
Just 1.7 cubic feet capacity but it serves our needs,
works like a dream and isn’t the usual energy hog.
There is another model – DZ50 dual zone – part refrigerator, part freezer
but do we really need a supply of Haugen Daz?
Polar Bear 24-pack
we usually put either a block of ice
(even when the ice has melted, the water doesn’t leak through the cooler)
or a jug of water that we have frozen at home or at the club
before leaving and it really does keep things cold for 2-3 days.
We use it mainly for drinks – beer, wine, juice, bottled water.
A word about egg refrigeration and limited space…
…Coleman Egg Holder
François has often told me that as long as I rotate the eggs each day,
they don’t need to be refrigerated.
My reaction – euuww!
But I read a recent post from the Boat Galley that confirmed it can be done.
I marked one side of the container with Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
and the flip side with Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
This way whichever day was up was the current day – a good reminder that it had been flipped.
Because I still didn’t believe it could be done, as an experiment,
I placed just 4 eggs in the container and rotated it each day for a week.
Now, if the egg had gone ‘off’ I would know as soon as I cracked it.
and to my surprise when I went to make breakfast after 7 days
the eggs didn’t jump out of the shell or the pan
and our omelette tasted just like all my other omelettes – delicious.
I have seen the light!
Now we have gained an extra 4″x6″x2″ in our cooler.
This item sort of fits with the topic of refrigeration and space
…Coghlan Egg Holders
I found them at Mountain Equipment Coop
but have seen them at Amazon.com for you online shoppers
I use 2 to keep boiled eggs which I do refrigerate.
If I keep food in little packages,
I can stash them here and there amongst other larger containers.
Now, time to go turn my eggs…