Refrigerator blues!

[Lance Jones]

Ok, the blues I'm a singin' are the blue color of the ice!!!!!  We recently had our original A/B go down for the count. I replaced it with the new version compressor and cold plate. MAN!!! The cold plate is about 25% bigger than the original. As a result, we keep it on the lowest setting and STILL have ice cold beer. Granted, the temps are only in the upper 70s now; but, I can imagine how much more efficient it will be than the old one. Now to re-do the shelving in the ice box. Any suggestions?

[Stu Jackson]

Lance, what specific model A/B did you purchase?  Compressor and evaporator model #s, please.

[Ken Juul]

I am assuming you need to figure out new shelves because the cold plate covers the inside wall of the box so the lip that the shelf goes into is now blocked. 
I used Lexan cutting boards from Bed Bath & Beyond, another great boat store!  Fitted two smaller ones into the exposed lip for the lower shelf.  Drilled a couple drainage holes just in case something is spilled. For the upper shelf I fashoned an upside down U out of 1/2" pvc for the inside wall support, the outside shelf edge rests in the upper shelf lip.  Used a larger cutting board for the top shelf.  The inside edge rests on the support and is held in place by a pair of flexible plastic straps wrapped around the support and pop riveted to the shelf.  The shelf and the support cannot be permanently attached, there is not enough room to get in and out of the ice box.  Another method would be to drill through the shelf and support in a couple places and use small flat headed bolts to maintain position.  I was fortunate in that the copper line to the compressor is routed so that it locks the lower ends of the U in place.  If this isn't your case you could mount PVC cap ends to the lower shelf to keep the support legs in the proper place. Top shelf is only in the front half of the box, allows storing large bottles in the back half and access to even the lower forward end without emptying the box.  If you want to go full length on the top shelf, I would consider making the support with 3 legs so you don't sag in the center. I would also make it a two piece shelf for easier access.

[Lance Jones]

Stu,
The coldplate - VD-152 Large Vertical Evaporator
A/B Compressor - CU-100 Air Cooled Compressor

Ken,
Great ideas!

[ed webb]

I just bought some wire shelves at Lowes that have a lip on one side. I am going cut them to length and put a rubber cap on the exposed ends