What makes the E-Z Kold cold plate systems superior?
An evaporator system removes the heat only while the unit is running, whereas a cold plate stores the cold and removes heat BTU's long after the unit has stopped running. Engine-drive cold plate systems may certainly freeze down the plate faster - but you are then required to run the engine to maintain the frozen state, this may be an inconvenience or even a health hazard if you leave the boat for an extended period of time while having food in your refrigerator/freezer.

Our 12 volt cold plate systems run off your marine batteries, which can be easily recharged when the engine is running or when other power is available. Since the amperage draw required to maintain the frozen state of the plate is minimum, your batteries would not need recharging for 2-3 days under most normal usage*. Solar and Wind generated power can effectively replace power consumed thereby reducing the need to run the engines for even longer periods.

E-Z Kold cold plates are made of welded high quality stainless steel and are filled with a non-toxic eutectic solution (glycol/water type solution), which can absorb a lot of heat - the reason why a similar solution is used as a coolant in automobiles. Some other cold plates are filled with a brine (calcium chloride) solution. Brine filled cold plates have the unfortunate characteristic of switching from the frozen to thawed state very rapidly, while the E-Z Kold units thaw far more gradually, making compressor cycling requirements less critical and using less power. And unlike brine filled cold plates, E-Z Kold plates are made or corrosion resistant stainless steel with copper fittings.

As the refrigerant passes through the cold-plate it absorbs heat from the eutectic solution, freezing it to a temperature of approximately at about -25 ºC, much colder than frozen water 0 ºC.In our tests the freezer has stayed below the freezing point (0 ºC) for 72 hours after the compressor is powered off. Under normal operating conditions, this means the compressor is only required to run 1-2 hours, usually twice in a 24-hour period (assuming adequate insulation: i.e. 4” high quality foam rated ~R28).

E-Z Kold uses name-brand components such as the Danfoss compressors. The Danfoss compressors are designed to operate efficiently and continuously at up to a 45º heel. They are extremely quiet when running and have a brushless motor to avoid the possibility of radio interference. The Danfoss BD 3.5 compressor , removes approximately 400 BTU's of heat per hour. An 8 cubic foot ice box with 4" of high quality insulation will typically allow 1,300 - 1,500 BTU's to leak in over a 24-hour period.
Since the E-Z Kold conversion unit kits are designed for do-it-yourself installation, we have also kept the components, such as the thermostat and fan simple to reduce failure and to be easily replaced by the end-user. Digital thermostats while nice to look at, generally have a higher failure rate in the marine environment than a mechanical switch. Instructions for installing your unit are complete and easy to follow.

The E-Z Kold systems are fully charged and test run in the factory for a minimum 24 hours before being shipped. The connectors are quick connect / quick disconnect pressurized fittings which can be connected / disconnected repeatedly without a noticeable loss of refrigerant.

E-Z Kold products are fully covered by a two year warranty from date of installation. As boaters ourselves, we understand the importance of refrigeration and will always strive to resolve any problems you encounter quickly and courteously.
* Size of the ice box, amount of insulation, volume of food stored in icebox, frequency of use, the number and type of on board batteries, weather conditions all have an impact on the power consumed.

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What is a Cold Plate?
Also known as a holdover plate or a holding plate, a cold plate is a metal box that is filled with a “eutectic”solution that can absorb a lot of heat. Since any solution that changes state expands and contracts, the metal must be strong enough to withstand any buildup of internal pressure. Inside the box, immersed in the solution, is tubing through which the refrigerant gas flows. The compressor unit condenses the refrigerant gas to a liquid, and releases the energy (heat) that it had absorbed to convert it from a liquid to a gas. As the refrigerant passes through the tubing in the cold plate, it expands, absorbing energy (heat) from the solution around it. As the energy (heat) is removed from the solution, it will freeze to a solid.
The cold-plate takes longer to freeze down than a frosted evaporator when first powered on, typically 12-24 hours. After the initial freeze-down period, you will have a mass of frozen eutectic solution that will thaw at a very slow rate, requiring only a small amount of actual run time to replace any thawing which has occurred.

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What's a BTU?
A British Thermal Unit is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

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Why does the compressor run a lot when I first install the unit?
When the solution on the plate is frozen solid, It can absorb a lot of heat before it changes back to it’s liquid state,, conversely, it takes a lot of energy to remove the stored heat in the solution. We recommend that for the first 24-36 hours a supplementary source of power be used to replenish the battery power of your vessel. NOTE: the units are 12 Volt and can only be connected to your boat’s marine batteries, never attempt to connect directly to a battery charger.

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Why is there frost build up on the lines running from the ice box to the compressor?
It is normal that some frost builds up on the lines leading from the condenser to the cold plate - the amount of frost will depend on the humidity level as well as the ventilation in the space the line passes through, 12" - 20" (30 - 50cm) is normal. You can use pipe insulation around the line to reduce the possibility of mildew developing.

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Why is there moisture around the seal on my icebox lid?
Moisture collecting around the seal of the lid or door is a sign that the cooler air is escaping from the ice box and you should replace the seals or check the placement of food to ensure that the door/lid is not being obstructed from closing properly.

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How do I divide my icebox into fridge and freezer sections?
For most people 1/3 freezer to 2/3 refrigerator provides the best ratio. The divider should be insulated (to prevent the cold plate from freezing any food in the refrigerator portion that abuts the divider) and it should be 4-5” shorter that the walls of the icebox which will allow some of the freezer’s cold air to spill over and cool the food items in the refrigerator. portion. Some innovative people have installed insulated dividers with louvers or a series of holes and even a sliding cover to adjust the amount of spill over. If installing our wrap-around box style cold plate, you would install it at the top of your ice box, it’s interior is the freezer, and insulate the exterior sides that face the refrigerator portion to prevent the freezing from extending throughout the ice box.

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Can I mount the condenser sideways?
No, always mount the condenser as level as possible in the upright position (mounting rails are built into the bottom of the unit).

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How do I remove the frost that builds up on the cold plate?
Your cold plate is not like a “frost free” refrigerator you use at home, and should be defrosted occasionally, by turning off the unit, removing all food items and leaving the lid or door ajar. Place a towel on the bottom of the icebox to collect the water that drains there. Do not attempt to scrape off the frost with a sharp object - you may damage the cold plate. Under normal operating conditions there will always be some frost buildup on the plate. As it can absorb a lot of heat, the cold plate may take a day or so to defrost completely - and you will then have to allow it sufficient time to re-freeze before placing items in the freezer.

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How do I reduce frost buildup in the icebox?
Try to reduce the amount of time the ice box is open to external air, Plan your placement of food so that items used frequently are easiest to reach. Label containers so that there is no guess work when you are looking for items. Check for any leaks in the seals of the door / lid. Be sure the door/lid is closed tightly when you are finished.Keep foods with high moisture content (sun\ch as fruits and vegetables) in tightly sealed containers.

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I’ve added extra insulation, but it’s not as efficient as I thought, why?
Cold air is heavier than warm air, so if you have not insulated the drain in your ice box you could be losing your cold air that way. Depending on the type of insulation used and the method of installation, gaps may have occurred or the insulation may have been unevenly applied. Most insulation depends on tiny air pockets to provide a barrier to heat loss, if the insulation has moisture trapped within it, it will reduce it’s efficiency. Check for any moisture, before applying the insulation. The bottom is critical but often a very difficult place to add additional insulation to the exterior of the box. Check out our space age insulation which can be applied to the interior of the ice box as an alternative.

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We boat in the Great Lakes, do we need a water cooled unit?
Everyone’s refrigeration requirements are unique- if you ever intend to take your boat to warmer waters, you should consider installing a water & air cooled unit now. All of our water & air cooled units can be run as air cooled only (there is a switch to turn off the pump - or just don’t install the pump at this point). When the air temperature is over 90°F (32°C) the water cooling provides a much more efficient means of radiating the excess heat removed from the ice box. Even if you never plan to take your boat south, water & air cooled units run for shorter periods to maintain the cold plate state than just the air cooled units. An additional 1.5 amps is required to run the pump, but overall the water & air cooled units tend to draw less power.

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Where is the best place to install the condenser unit?
The condenser/compressor unit should be mounted upright in a space that has good ventilation, such as a a sail locker or under a berth. A shelf or some method of protecting it from large heavy objects landing on it should be installed if the locker is large enough to accommodate other items as well as the compressor. The engine compartment is not recommended, but can be used. It is strongly recommended that you install a water & air cooled unit if placing the compressor/condenser unit in the engine compartment.

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Can I install the condenser unit in the engine compartment?
The engine compartment is not recommended as a location for the compressor/condenser unit, but can be used. It is strongly recommended that you install a water & air cooled unit if placing the condenser unit in the engine compartment, See “best place” response above.

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How far away can I place the condenser from the icebox?
We normally supply 12 feet of tubing to allow for bends in the line leading from the icebox to the condenser. However, if we can provide you with the amount required for your particular situation (max 20 ft/6m). Running a string along the path the tubing must follow will give you a rough idea of the length for your situation. There is no additional charge for increasing or decreasing the length of the tubing.

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