Select Fridge – for a dedicated fridge designed to operate around +4C

Note that for a fridge we recommend 75mm thickness of insulation (minimum 50mm).
The maximum volume of a fridge using a single compressor and evaporator plate is 380 litres.
Fridges which are larger than 380 litres will require 2 systems to cool effectively to maintain +4C

Select Freezer – for a dedicated freezer system designed to operate and maintain -18C

Note that for a freezer we recommend 100mm thickness of insulation (minimum 75mm).  The maximum volume of a freezer using a single compressor and evaporator plate is 120 litres.
Freezers which are larger than 120 litres will require 2 systems to cool effectively to maintain -18C

Select Combination fridge freezer (spillover system) if you are looking to create a top opening fridge (+4C) and freezer (-18C) with two adjacent/joined boxes or one box with a divider.

Note: that if the volume of your combined fridge and freezer is calculated on a ratio of 3:1 freezer to fridge. If your volumes are too large for a spillover system you will need to fit two separate systems one for the fridge and one for the freezer.

To calculate the volume of your insulated box select the option that matches your box and enter your dimensions in millimeters (mm):

Cube

Partial Cube (with a sloping wall)

Or click the option to add the volume manually

Note: we only need to know the volume +/- 5 litres so don’t worry about calculating all your dimensions to the absolute millimeter.

Box evaporators can be mounted horizontally or vertically, allowing an area to store frozen food and make ice.  Horizontal mounting is ideal for front opening fridges or top opening where the lid does not cover the whole of the box, (leaving a return to mount the plate).

Flat or Plate evaporators are more suited to top loading boxes, especially freezers, combination systems or fridges where the lid reveals the complete box.  They can also be used for front opening fridges where no ice box is required.

Flat plate evaporators can be bent to suit the shape of your insulated box  All our plate evaporators can be bent to suit your insulated box. We will need your box dimensions, size of lid opening and where you wan the pipes to exit and we can then send you a sketch of how we will bend the plate confirming dimensions.

For a Fridge – select the evaporator whose maximum fridge capacity is closest to the volume of the insulated box you are refrigerating.  If the plate is too big it will not stay cold enough and will cause condensation making your fridge very wet.
For a Freezer – always select the largest plate possible, you cannot over size a freezer plate.  A true freezer is rated at -18°C or below. (4 star rating).  For a 5 star fast freeze freezer you need to achieve -26°C and below to pull things down to frozen without risk of a temperature rise which could affect existing food in the freezer.
For a combination system the same rules apply as a freezer, specify the biggest plate possible.

Water is far better at dissipating heat than air, so water cooled systems will reduce power consumption by at least 20%.  The graph below shows average consumption by volume for water and air cooled Frigomatic fridge systems

Note that these figures are based on air and water at the same temperature. Normally in hot weather air temperatures are higher than the sea water temperature so the actual efficiency gain will be much higher is the air temperature is 30C and the sea water temperature is 20C

For boats cruising in hot climates like the Med or the Tropics we recommend you select water cooling, either keelcooled or pump water cooled.  Water cooled fridge systems are the most efficient possible because water dissipates heat far better than air (some 20x more effective) so will dramatically reduce your power consumption.

Boats cruising in Northern European waters will normally have lower ambient temperatures so air condensing sets are more than adequate, although water cooling will still be more efficient it is less critical.

If you are starting in Northern waters and heading South then select Med

Frigomatic use aluminium finned forced air condensers. A low voltage brushless DC fan pulls the air across the aluminium fins giving greater surface area to dissipate the heat effectively.

Air cooled compressors need good ventilation in and out (the minimum square area for each grill is 144cm2, which is equivalent to a grill size of 12cm x 12cm

Air cooled condensers can be ducted for greater efficiency

Keel cooled refrigeration reduces power consumption by a minimum of 20% (often significantly more in high ambient conditions), because water dissipates heat approximately 20 times better than air.  

The Keel cooler uses the water on the outside of the hull to cool and condense the refrigerant.

• Produced in marine bronze the sintered plate protects the heat exchanger from damage
• Sintered bronze is porous so the water passes through to the heat exchanger inside
• The heat exchanger is manufactured from cupro-nickel for maximum resistance against sea water corrosion.
• Supplied with sacrificial zinc anodes as standard for further protection from galvanic corrosion.

The keel cooler is extremely quiet in operation as there is no cooling fan required.

As the heat exchanged is bonded on the outside of the hull there is no heat put back into the boat form the fridge or freezer which in hot climates will significantly reduce the temperature in the galley and saloon.

Pump water cooled refrigeration reduces power consumption by a minimum of 20% (often significantly more in high ambient conditions) compared to air cooled systems, because water dissipates heat approximately 20 times better than air.  

Frigomatic pump water cooled systems have a highly corrosion resistant Cupronickle sea water condenser and use a diaphragm pump to deliver a flow of 5-10 litres per minute of cooling water.

The Frigomatic water cooled condenser also has a built in overheat switch to protect it should the sea water flow become restricted or blocked.

Pump water cooled is ideal for larger multi compressor systems or for aluminium boats where a keelcooler is not recommended due to the dangers of galvanic corrosion