Island Packet 38 Reefer Rebuild

I completed the rebuild on the IP-38 and finished documenting the procedure I used on our website at  Reefer.  I found that by posting this document as an html page I was able to provide more information than I had ever been able to when I tried to use any of HC's various websites.  Plus I own the pictures and text and can update the info periodically.  If you have any questions on have any comments, please let me know.

In the mean time - 17 days till we travel to our boat!

Freezer Fridge nearly complete

I finished the new doors for the boat and installed them - really look nice.  I'm still waiting on some miniature mounting tywraps so I can secure the temperature probes but otherwise finished!

I plan to document the process on the 38 in an html document and will post that on our web site when it is completed.

The Box!

You sometimes hear that you should be thinking outside the box, however, when you are working on one it is hard to do that.  So this morning while I was working on an IP-38 I was inside the box thinking  (actually epoxying some seams).

All things said though I've been waking up in the wee hours of the morning thinking about this project and today it came together nicely.

Compressors installed

Lights work

Smoke test!

After a very short time the fridge was down from 90 degrees ambient to 40 degrees and the freezer was down to 18.8.  Left things running for another hour and each side cycled.  Now for the hard part (actually not so hard) finish protecting the compressor plumbing, keel coolers and wiring in the lazarette and then will build the divider and finish with new reinsulated rear hinged doors.

Time for dinner now!

This years shipment is on the way

We traveled to Miami this morning to drop off two shipping barrels of boat spares, supplies and provisions for this winter season in the Caribbean.  The trip over was fine and we arrived at the Tropical LCL Warehouse and went right up to the loading dock - no one in front of us.  Within 2 minutes a forklift and pallet were waiting by the tailgate of the truck and within 5 minutes we had paid for the shipment, picked up two new barrels for next season and were on our way back home!

While on Alligator Alley today we came upon 4 single vehicle accidents - not sure if the drivers fell asleep, were texting or what but it was roadside carnage!  This was on the roadway between the toll plazas.

Got home early so installed a shelf for two new Frigoboat compressors on an IP-38.  Put the flat plate evaporators in the boat yesterday afternoon and hope to wire and connect all refrigerant tubing tomorrow  morning and test both sides.  Still have to fabricate the divider and new doors but want to make sure everything works first.

Here is a photo of the control panel that I had made and the new digital controllers before installation on the boat.  Will post additional photos of the project within the next several days.