More space in cockpit

[jandane]

I changed the refrigerator under the seat and installed a cool box with compressor under the feet. Advantage is, it it better accecible, more easy to fill from the top and the food stays where it should be. The locker in which the fridge was, had a drawer fixed on two sliders and can be drawn out in full length, giving a fine space. The seat is mounted on a hinged plate and can be folded thus giving a big table 
      

[nauticalnick]

Hi Jandane,

That's a very good idea.

The LM30 has a very similar layout but in mine the coolbox and compressor are under the wheelhouse floor so it's not very accessible ! l would like to move the coolbox to the same position as yours - what make of coolbox is it and is the compressor fixed to the coolbox or is it on flexible pipework.

Reggards,

Nick

[Charles]

In Marguerite the fridge has been under the driver's feet ever since we acquired the boat and it suits us very well there. It is powered by mains electricity when shore power is connected or from the auxiliary battery when the engine is running; there is a device which automatically disconnects it when the motor is not running to prevent it draining the battery; there is no separate compressor. I'm afraid that I don't know what make it is.

The space under the driver's seat is given over to a substantial, side-loading locker and is also the point where the switches for shore power and the battery charger are located. Above the locker and just below the seat is a sliding table which the chef finds very useful indeed when preparing meals.

Charles

[oceandancer]

Hi guys,

I have a similar arrangement to Jan's in Ocean Dancer but the table top sits under the helmsman's seat which has a quick release. You can then remove the seat, slide the top over to the left to make a worktop. We use this when staying overnight and it doubles the worktop area of the galley, very significant in the LM27 which has very limited workspace to port.

My fridge is also beneath the helmsman's feet. It's a Waeco CF118 which has a compressor and runs from either battery or mains but there is another option. I have run a fused line straight from the alternator so it gets 14v only when the engine is running. If you set it to freeze it gets cold (3-5deg) in about 25min and whilst you're preparing to get under way and have motored to where you begin sailing it's cold enough to chill the beer for a day out and switches off with the engine.


             

[jandane]

Charles. My fridge is connected just as your's. Except from the battery arrangement. I have two aux batteries, all together 160 Ahr plus the battery for starter and thruster. The batteries are connected to the charger via a smart device which makes sure, that at first the starter battery is filled when engine is running. When so, the other two are charged. When the engine is off, the fridge uses power from the two aux batteries and a solenoid/rectifier makes sure, that the starter battery wil not be discharged. In reality, I can drain the two batteries completely and still have full power on the starter battery. I had it made when I chanced engine from the old Volvo MD11C to the. Volvo D1-30. I once drained the starter battery when sailing with the old engine, and tried to start the engine with the cranker handle. Having tried this once, you will never do it again.