I was thinking that the modular systems are more ruggedized (avoiding overly small or delicate connections) and in spite of the cost, would be better overall.

I see what is happening, that the cost of a small cheap system is such that replacing it many times over, even just for the convenience of "cold drinks at the dock" is still vastly cheaper and easier than using one of those "purpose built" installations.

I'm still trying to get a handle on my cool/cold needs verses what is available. As it is, I tend to only run the chill box when the engine is running and I depend on the stuff in the box only needing to be cool vice cold. (I don't keep raw meat in there, just cheese, and drinks and stuff that wants a bit of cool, such as pasta salad). I have some repairs to make on the box itself, so I have not yet come to depend on it yet.

I am watching this thread to get potential ideas. I don't really want to hack up my entire galley to replace the insulation, which due to age is likely quite degraded. If anything, I might consider lining the inside of the box with some vacuum panels, block the drain, and fix the lid and recharge the freon. (R-12, so it cannot be recharged in the US) I understand there is a new product called Freeze-12 which may be used to recharge older R-12 systems.

As it is now, we freeze things (water in containers and raw meat) before we leave home, and depend somewhat on that cold mass and a bit of cooling from the existing system, run periodically. That works for short periods... however is not a solution, long term... so again... just looking at potential solutions.

Fair winds