Deconstruction of a Yacht Refrigeration System

What we started with on Elysium
What we started with on Elysium
Removing the old Copper Tubing
Removing the old Copper Tubing
Looking for solid wood
Looking for solid wood
Removing the DC 5000
Removing the DC 5000
Compartment Cleared out
Compartment cleared out
Cruiser Assistance
Cruiser Assistance
Tented and a messy operation
Tented and a messy operation
Time for cool air
Time for cool air
The operation was a success
The operation was a success
Fitting new wood in place
Fitting new wood in place
Carefully removing trim
Carefully removing trim
Two needed tools
Two needed tools
Careful plug removal
Careful plug removal
Removing floor trim
Removing floor trim
The trim and side panel is out
The trim and side panel is out
Vacuum Panel (VP) exposed
Vacuum Panel (VP) exposed
VPs on both sides now open
VPs on both sides now open
Outside of the refrigerator box
Outside of the refrigerator box
Refrigerator box exposed on two sides now
Refrigerator box exposed on two sides now
The bottom of the box is removed
The bottom of the box is removed
Refrigeration box out starting on freezer
Refrigeration box out starting on freezer
Careful removal of freezer box
Careful removal of freezer box
Boxes are out
Boxes are out.
Blueboard is not to be like this
Blueboard is not to be like this
cleaning up the space
W/ cleaning up the space
digging out bad wood
Dave digging out bad wood
Sloppy VP top
Sloppy VP top
Cutaway of a VP
Cutaway of a VP
Wet side of VP
Wet side of VP
Glassing in the new wood
Glassing in the new wood

Refrigeration Changes

This picture essay is a close approximation of how we went about replacing our refrigeration systems and boxes. This page is the deconstruction and the next is the rebuild addition of the Engels.


For a couple of years I've thought about changing the refrigeration / freezer system. While I thought we had the "gold" standard I just couldn't get it functioning the way I htought it ought to. So I watched other yachties, talked to other yachties, read all I could and finally settled on replacement with with some Engels. W/ had difficulty reaching the bottom of the refrigeration box so we decided on two units, a smaller on top and another underneath. Fortunately Engel has a drawer that seemed to fit the bill. We purchased two drop ins and one drawer. This page follow the work in getting everything ready to build in some the new system. An update, in2024 all were working well. Then I noticed the Engel in the Freezer started to cycle. The freezer started to warm up. The unit was failing.