The cold remains a technical fact that is difficult to understand on a boat. And yet how important it is! It's so pleasant to serve yourself a cold drink, to keep your food fresh. Just like at home! Only on a boat you're not at home. There is the problem of autonomy, especially in terms of energy.
How does a fridge work?
There are two technologies for making cold weather. The first by Peltier effect is the cheapest, but above all the least efficient. It can be found on some portable coolers. The most efficient is the compressor, which compresses a gas before expanding it. This decompression creates cold. But this reaction also causes heating that must be cooled. Either with an air exchanger (a radiator associated with a fan) or with a water exchanger (a radiator installed under the hull that uses the water under the boat to cool down). In both cases, the cooling unit can be integrated into the refrigerator or be remote when there is a lack of space.
We contacted the manufacturer Vitrifrigo, a leader in on-board refrigerators and who works with all the major shipyards. We asked them the key points that make a good refrigerator.
Insulation
Producing cold efficiently is important, but not letting it escape afterwards is also essential. The insulation of Vitrifrigo fridges is composed of an external coating in galvanized steel (or 316 stainless steel) and an interior in thermoformed plastic (for easy cleaning). Between the two, a closed cell polyurethane foam combined with high density polystyrene forms a perfect insulation.
Noise
On a boat, the fridge is often not far from a berth (when it is not right underneath...). Having a compressor that makes no (or very little) noise is important. At Vitrifrigo, aware of this nuisance, the compressors are equipped in this way.
Lighting
What's the point of trying to consume as little as possible if the lighting inside the fridge is not as efficient. Vitrifrigo fridges are equipped with LED lighting with low consumption. But that doesn't mean you can't see it! The LEDs are arranged in a T-shape at the bottom of the fridge so that you can see all floors.
Power supply
At sea, the fridge is powered by 12 or 24-volt on-board batteries. Once back in port, some fridge models can also be connected to shore power. This varies from 100 to 240 volts (depending on the country). Vitrifrigo offers motors that support all these combinations to sail on all the seas of the world.
Finishes
By offering built-in or surface-mounted refrigerators, Vitrifrigo adapts to any situation. The same goes for the handles, which can also remain recessed. The front panels of the doors can also be changed to fit the desired finishes.
Combinable functions
Refrigerator, freezer, ice maker. Drawer opening, through front door, from above. All fridge combinations are available in the comprehensive Vitrifrigo catalogue.
