Refrigeration Upgrade - Digital Automation

More on the water maker installation coming soon, but today I wanted to spread the word about a product I have successfully installed numerous times in the past that will upgrade the older mechanical controls on marine refrigeration systems.  Full Gauge makes many different types of digital controls that are used in the commercial and industrial market. I have found that they also make some digital controls that work very nicely in a marine environment, as well.

Full Gauge MT 511Ril is a programmable digital thermostat that can control almost any refrigeration system up to 16 amps of power draw.  It can also be used with almost any air conditioning and heating systems with some minor modifications to the existing electrical.  It is a very cost effective way to improve temperature control and visibility.  I have found that this unit can be ordered and shipped for under $100 and can be installed with little effort.  It is easy on the eyes, can be installed anywhere on the boat with a footprint of 2.8" x 1" (71 mm x 28 mm) and a depth of 2.8" (71mm).  The MT 511Ril comes with the mounting clips to mount into a bulkhead or navigation station panel.


The major features of this control is that now the electronics can be installed anywhere and can be read easily without opening the refrigerator door.  It operates on 12-24v DC or 115v AC.  The digital sensor replaces the fragile capillary tube that older controls once used, therefore removing the distance constraint that the rotary controls once had.  It has the ability to control the temperature from  -58 to 211degrees F and also gives you an adjustable temperature differential between compressor-off to compressor-on.  This temperature differential can mean significant power savings when you are out to sea.

Another new model that I have just ordered for stock is the MT 511C, it has all of the same qualities and features yet is much easier to mount due to it's round hole pattern.  See the photo below.

Other temperature controllers made by Full Gauge also sense the build-up of frost on the evaporator.  These devices have two temperature sensors and compare the temperature differential between the evaporator plate and the freezer/refrigerator box.  When the temperature difference is too great, the unit will then shut off the compressor and wait for the temperature of the plate to get above freezing which will melt the ice.  Once it senses a "no ice" condition, the compressor continues to operate normally.

The MT 511 is a device I would recommend to anyone that has the older non-digital controls on their refrigerators, freezers, heaters and air conditioning units. Have you had any experience with this product?  Any stories to share regarding your older temperature controls?  Post them here!