Refrigeration for Pleasureboats: Installation, Maintenance and Repair

There is a lot of good stuff in here on boat refrigeration, but it is rather dated. There is a 2 page update from 1994 on R134a, with a new table of properties and the note that you will have to convert all the calculations from R12 to R134a. It doesn't discuss any of the new insulation options such as vacuum panels or aerogel. It focuses heavily on pumped, water-cooled systems and secondarily on air-cooled systems. It doesn't discuss keel coolers or other more recent developments.Having said that, all the description of refrigeration cycles, operating, tuning, etc., is still valid and well done. There is probably more detail in here than needed for most people. A lot of the focus is on building your own system and choosing and sizing components. Not as applicable if you are using one of the many "kit" systems such as Frigoboat, Isotherm, Technautics, etc. Kollman marine keeps his information more up to date and it may be more valuable if you are looking into systems such as these.If you are looking to build-your-own, then this will help, but you will still want to supplement your knowledge with any developments made in the last 20 years.

This book is technical, and without any previous HVAC knowledge, it'll take some review work to put the pieces together. That being said, it will get you from total ignorance to ability to design, order parts for, and build your own onboard refrigiration unit or freezer. This does need revision, as R12 refrigerant has gone by the wayside, and newer products are now used. The components and design elements however, remain unchanged.If you want to design and build the perfect onboard unit, I'd say you have to have this book.

Well written, shame not better diagrams, especially colour. A lot of repetition from Nigel's bible Boat Owners Mechanical & Electrical Manual

Bought it because my husband needed it to help decided what to do about our bulit to last but 25 year old refrigeration system. He says it is a great book but aalso surrisingly delightful just as a great read. This Calder guy has personality to spare. Refrigeration for Pleasure Boats: Installation, Maintenance and Repair

Excellent in all aspects, I got tired of waiting for tecnicians that never arrived. One day after 4 years I decided to get my sailboat's refrigeration back and running, Purchased the book, instruments, and all paraphernalia associated with it, including a Ritchie Vacuum pump from EBay as well as an electronic gas snifer or leak detector. We bought all this among 4 sailboat owners and never again had to call on service. The book is invaluable. And think of the bundle saved plus we don't depend on anyone to resolve our problems.Hillar

Read as part of research for building d.c. powered refrigerator for renewable energy powered household. Combined some of Calder's advice with that of another author with some opposing views and built an efficient and durable fridge/freezer unit for home use.

Mr. Calder's book is OK for those who are just starting to consider their refrigeration needs. However, there are a lot of new developments in marine refrigeration, and no good guide to walk us through it. I wish I had browsed a copy of this book in a library since I won't be using it for long term.

This is a great book, but Nigel Calder could spend some time updating it because 99% of the focus is on that very destructive R12 refrigerant (which was the weapon of choice when the book was published in 1990) and there is only a brief mention of R134a refrigerant, which most modern boats now use.

Anything that Nigel Calder writes is worth owning........... and is worth its weight on board the boat. The fact that he illustrated his books so well and has so many practical tips and applications makes this a worthwhile read when you experience refrigeration issues on board your boat. His recommendations of what to keep as spares proves very worth while when your fridge stops working at a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean -written with experience!! This is my second copy as the last copy was lent out but never returned - they realised the usefulness of the book and then 'lost' it.

Very well priced and well presented.

Better information elsewhere not as detail for troubleshooting as I needed