?04 34PC Cockpit Fridge
- Thread starter gustaf
- Start date
GandDFreehold
Member
We love our cockpit fridge. The only complaint I have is that when the sun is beating on the SS steel door, the beer tends to warm up a bit. (That's never good) My fix was to hang a towel on the bar over the fridge to keep the sun off of it. That seems to be effective.
Per the TAG folks, the size that they install from the factory is a Cruise 49 Drawer. Ordered up and hope to install soon.
@Catch22 - did you just attach to the fiberglass that was there or did you put spacers in to bring it forward a bit and be more flush mount? Also, I think that is needs to be lifted up, so what did you use to fill the gap? Thanks!
@Catch22 - did you just attach to the fiberglass that was there or did you put spacers in to bring it forward a bit and be more flush mount? Also, I think that is needs to be lifted up, so what did you use to fill the gap? Thanks!
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There is a plastic stand for it to sit on to raise it up, and spacers along the side you can kind of see in this photo. We didn’t have an ice maker, we replaced a fridge that wasn’t working so we didn’t have to make any adjustments. The stand/spacers look factory
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Kimo
Member
Catch 22
Does your new cockpit fridge run on either 12v DC or 120v AC?
I ask because while our cabin fridge will run on either, our cockpit ice maker (that we do not use) runs only on 120v AC (which is one of the reasons we do not use it - the other being no desire for "freshwater" tank ice).
I would like to replace it with a fridge to supplement the cabin fridge, but only if it would run on both.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
GandDFreehold
Member
My 34 PC runs on AC or DC. AC breaker is below, DC breaker is under the wet bar sink, by the battery switch.
Kimo
Member
Thanks all for the responses. gustaf I'll be following your updates as you have now rekindled my interest in a similar project.
Short of pulling my existing U-Line B95 freezer from the cockpit cavity and checking myself, can any of you who have been back there tell me if i should expect to find wiring and harnesses for BOTH AC and DC behind the freezer (this is a 2001 31pc, and the freezer is operated on AC only), or just AC? If just AC, any suggestions on pulling 12v to that area?
Finally, any suggestions for a refrigerator that would be close to a drop in replacement for the existing U-Line B95?
Perhaps the aforementioned Isotherm 42 or 49 would work, but I note these have been used for later model 34pc applications.
Thanks
Short of pulling my existing U-Line B95 freezer from the cockpit cavity and checking myself, can any of you who have been back there tell me if i should expect to find wiring and harnesses for BOTH AC and DC behind the freezer (this is a 2001 31pc, and the freezer is operated on AC only), or just AC? If just AC, any suggestions on pulling 12v to that area?
Finally, any suggestions for a refrigerator that would be close to a drop in replacement for the existing U-Line B95?
Perhaps the aforementioned Isotherm 42 or 49 would work, but I note these have been used for later model 34pc applications.
Thanks
In terms of where to get a fridge, I got mine at here: https://www.truckfridge.com/product/t680-and-t700-kenworth-truck-refrigerator/ and have bought from these guys before for my previous 31PC. It is the Isotherm DR49 drawer fridge and they sell it in stainless at the same price - $699. The only challenge is that the mounting bracket is not stainless (it's black steel) but I have purchased a stainless one for $100. All in all, way cheaper than purchasing from any marine suppliers and its the exact same fridge. You can spend the ~$500 you save on stocking it with beer for a summer or two 
I'll post pics as I make progress.
I'll post pics as I make progress.
Kimo
Member
. . . All in all, way cheaper than purchasing from any marine suppliers and its the exact same fridge. . . .
I'll post pics as I make progress.
Wow. These guys really are well below market for their re-branded Cruise fridges. The 49 Drawer looks just a bit too deep for our space, but I see they also carry the regular 49, which is a couple of inches shallower. Thanks for sharing this vendor, and I'm definitely looking forward to your progress and pictures.
Kimo
Member
Catch22
I have also been researching the Cruise 42s (primarily for the shallow depth and the remotely locatable compressor) but can't seem to find any product actually in stock. A few questions if you don't mind?
Could you share with me where you found yours and the approx. price?
Also, did you remove and relocate the compressor to a different location, or just leave it as originally attached - perhaps there is a cutout in your bulkhead?
Where did you pull the 12v power from? Was it already present from the previous installation, or did you pull it from a nearby harness? And do you recall the wire color - red with black stripe perhaps?
And lastly, any more pictures of the installation and finished job?
Thanks
Well, I finally got around to finishing the fridge install project. I was able to get it installed without needing to cut the area behind the fridge (there was another post on here about someone who installed the same fridge on a 37PC and cut a big hole behind the fridge). Mine does protrude just a bit at the door but is really minimal in my opinion.
I created a platform for the fridge to sit on as well as had to trim a bit of the fiberglass that the old ice maker leveraged as a mounting flange. The platform is made out of PVC boards that you can purchase at your local home improvements store.
I also had to use a few pieces of 5/4 PVC trim to create the mounting flanges for the fridge. It ended up working out such that the right side of the fridge is flush with the adjacent pillar that has the outlet and the left side of the fridge is about 3/8" proud of the door below the sink when it is closed. The biggest challenge was cutting the flanges because you cannot keep them square due to the angles of the fiberglass pillars that you are mounting them to but a table saw made pretty easy work of that.
Here are some pics of the project and final result. I also purchased the stainless steel flanges because the black ones that the fridge came with just wouldn't have looked good but they were helpful in doing some trial fitting.
Now I just need to find a louvered grill for the area below the fridge.
I created a platform for the fridge to sit on as well as had to trim a bit of the fiberglass that the old ice maker leveraged as a mounting flange. The platform is made out of PVC boards that you can purchase at your local home improvements store.
I also had to use a few pieces of 5/4 PVC trim to create the mounting flanges for the fridge. It ended up working out such that the right side of the fridge is flush with the adjacent pillar that has the outlet and the left side of the fridge is about 3/8" proud of the door below the sink when it is closed. The biggest challenge was cutting the flanges because you cannot keep them square due to the angles of the fiberglass pillars that you are mounting them to but a table saw made pretty easy work of that.
Here are some pics of the project and final result. I also purchased the stainless steel flanges because the black ones that the fridge came with just wouldn't have looked good but they were helpful in doing some trial fitting.
Now I just need to find a louvered grill for the area below the fridge.
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Kimo
Member
Nice job gustaf!
That PVC board/molding is virtually indistinguishable from starboard plastic, and waterproof too. It's what I was going to use had my similar project not stalled due to fitment issues.
I've been following this thread for the replacement of my unused (but working) icemaker in my 31pc. Although I also purchased the Isotherm Cruise 49 (but in the silver brushed metallic version vs. the Clean Touch because the former is .75 inches narrower than the latter), when I got it down to the boat I realized that despite my measurements it still wasn't going to fit -- by only 1/4 to 3/8 inches. Aaaarrrggghhh.
Even using the side screw proud mount option -- without using the flange (which adds 1.5" to the 15" width of the Cruise 49) -- I simply could not find a full 15" without cutting into the rounded fiberglass side trim pillars - which I was unwilling to do. If I went through all of that and the fridge still didn't fit or was aesthetically unsatisfactory, I couldn't then simply reinstall the old icemaker. Even the inner cavity sidewalls would had to have been cut out in part because of a slight bow to the left wall, as well as the back wall for adequate ventilation.
My stock icemaker is only 13-7/8" wide x 14" deep, so a 15" x 16.5" box was just not going to fit without major surgery. I knew it was going to be close from my earlier measurements, but it turned out not close enough.
And then when I realized that the 12v feed for the cabin fridge was not in any harness anywhere near the icemaker cavity, and I would also have to pull 12v up from some appropriate source to be switched with the house battery switch, I just decided to punt. And I rarely punt.
Walking back up the pier with the brand new fridge was a walk of shame - as I had not planned on being a quarter inch shy.
Clearly, the 34pc has a little extra space to work with, as I even see some room between your flange and the rounded fiberglass pillars on either side. Glad yours worked, really looks great.
PS - Understood on the need for a louvered grill underneath. I was going to re-purpose the icemaker's grill with some modifications, but if that didn't work was going to use this one after I ripped it across to be the correct height. I figured you'd never see the rip under the proud mounted fridge door.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Accord-Ven...6-in-x-14-in-Actual-7-7-in-x-15-71-in/1095587
PSS - Just curious where you pulled 12v from for the fridge, as i see you too were replacing an AC icemaker.
That PVC board/molding is virtually indistinguishable from starboard plastic, and waterproof too. It's what I was going to use had my similar project not stalled due to fitment issues.
I've been following this thread for the replacement of my unused (but working) icemaker in my 31pc. Although I also purchased the Isotherm Cruise 49 (but in the silver brushed metallic version vs. the Clean Touch because the former is .75 inches narrower than the latter), when I got it down to the boat I realized that despite my measurements it still wasn't going to fit -- by only 1/4 to 3/8 inches. Aaaarrrggghhh.
Even using the side screw proud mount option -- without using the flange (which adds 1.5" to the 15" width of the Cruise 49) -- I simply could not find a full 15" without cutting into the rounded fiberglass side trim pillars - which I was unwilling to do. If I went through all of that and the fridge still didn't fit or was aesthetically unsatisfactory, I couldn't then simply reinstall the old icemaker. Even the inner cavity sidewalls would had to have been cut out in part because of a slight bow to the left wall, as well as the back wall for adequate ventilation.
My stock icemaker is only 13-7/8" wide x 14" deep, so a 15" x 16.5" box was just not going to fit without major surgery. I knew it was going to be close from my earlier measurements, but it turned out not close enough.
And then when I realized that the 12v feed for the cabin fridge was not in any harness anywhere near the icemaker cavity, and I would also have to pull 12v up from some appropriate source to be switched with the house battery switch, I just decided to punt. And I rarely punt.
Walking back up the pier with the brand new fridge was a walk of shame - as I had not planned on being a quarter inch shy.
Clearly, the 34pc has a little extra space to work with, as I even see some room between your flange and the rounded fiberglass pillars on either side. Glad yours worked, really looks great.
PS - Understood on the need for a louvered grill underneath. I was going to re-purpose the icemaker's grill with some modifications, but if that didn't work was going to use this one after I ripped it across to be the correct height. I figured you'd never see the rip under the proud mounted fridge door.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Accord-Ven...6-in-x-14-in-Actual-7-7-in-x-15-71-in/1095587
PSS - Just curious where you pulled 12v from for the fridge, as i see you too were replacing an AC icemaker.
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Thanks Kimo! We are really happy with the results as well!
That's too bad that yours will not fit. I wanted to avoid making a lot of cuts to mine as well so I completely understand where you're coming from.
As far as the 12V, when I removed the breaker panel there was a good size red wire that was not connected to anything that had factory piece of heat shrink tubing on the end of it. I cut the end of it and got lucky that it was a house battery switch activated 12V. The panel already had a spot for the cockpit fridge breaker so I purchased a new 15A breaker and off I went.
That's too bad that yours will not fit. I wanted to avoid making a lot of cuts to mine as well so I completely understand where you're coming from.
As far as the 12V, when I removed the breaker panel there was a good size red wire that was not connected to anything that had factory piece of heat shrink tubing on the end of it. I cut the end of it and got lucky that it was a house battery switch activated 12V. The panel already had a spot for the cockpit fridge breaker so I purchased a new 15A breaker and off I went.
Kimo
Member
Thanks for the info about the 12v. Sounds like there is a breaker panel on the 34pc's port side near the cockpit fridge, and a harness located nearby? Not so on the 31pc.
Also, re-reading your posts I see that you had used an Isotherm in a previous 31pc that you owned. Can you tell me about that? I'm assuming it was a cabin fridge replacement and not a cockpit fridge? Many thanks for all of the info.
Yes, the 34PC has a breaker panel under the cockpit sink that had a spot for a breaker for the cockpit fridge. I just needed to put the breaker in and wire it up.
I did purchase an Isotherm from the same guys I purchased this one from but it was for the cabin - not the cockpit for my 31PC.
I did purchase an Isotherm from the same guys I purchased this one from but it was for the cabin - not the cockpit for my 31PC.