My 20+ year old refer is dying. Anybody got a recommendation for a good replacement and best place to purchase. I've heard good things about Sea Frost.
Ken : Not to belittle your question, but isn't 23 years of service good enough to replace it with the same brand? The plumbing etc. would be all the same.
My thought
I wish it was that easy. Company got out the the business in the mid 90's.
Ken
My 20+ year old Adler Barbour, stopped working last year. I assume yours most likely is also a Adler Barbour as these were installed by Catalina. Using Ron's reasoning, I installed a new Adler Barbour system, found the best price at Defenders.
Using the same system greatly simplified the installation, and if this new unit lasts as long as the original, then I won't be sailing anymore! The new model, I believe is more efficient than my original R12 Model and has the new quick connect fittings. :D
Gratitude came equipped with an inoperative/unrepairable AB system. I replaced it with a Sea Frost system.
The original AB compressor had been installed in the starboard lazarette adjacent to the walk thru transom and years of exposure to seawater from fenders being dropped on top of it had caused the system to corrode. I did not want that to happen again and also didn't want to relocate the system either. The Sea Frost system has a very nice enclosure that shields it from anything that might drip off the fenders.
Sea Frost customized the plate to fit the ice box dimensions for a very small charge. Running the tubing and wiring to the ice box was simple. The plate is held in place with some standoffs - I used some longer standoffs to provide more air circulation on both sides of the plate. I also use a small battery operatied fridge fan to minimize the temperature difference from the top to bottom of the ice box.
The system works well but my admiral would have liked the unit to have a freezer compartment , which the Sea Frost plate does not offer. It does offer verticle ice trays which work fine for me.
Ken, I don't think you can go wrong with a Sea Frost. Here's Maine Sail's testimonial. While his "issue" is a tad different than yours, I'm sure Sea Frost makes a simple 12V system that would work for you.
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=944256&highlight=Sea%20Frost
Yup, they do! :clap
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=725235&highlight=Sea%20Frost
I installed an Engel refrigeration unit this past spring. So far it's worked well but I don't have any previous experience with refrig units so I might not be the best judge. Keeps the box down to 40* on the #2 setting. Supposedly if I keep it on 3-5 it will turn the whole ice box into a freezer. The system was about 2/3 cost of a comparable AB system.
mr, what model Engel did you purchase?
It's called the ice box conversion kit. Only problem was the lineset was only 12' so you are limited as to where you can put the condenser section.
https://www.engel-usa.com/products/fridge-freezers/ice-box-conversion-models
HI,
Might not be the best place, but the PO placed it under the stove.
I know, it take a nice storage space, but Hey! it was there ;-)
Ken, you guys south of the 49th have a much better selection but when I did mine a few years ago, all initial estimates including shipping put me over $900 plus some great Canadian taxes.
I ended up with a Canadian product, Nova Kool, with of course uses the standard Danfoss compressor. Because I did a huge purchase of electrical stuff at the same time, The Rigging Shoppe gave me a deal, $855 plus tax.
I moved the compressor location to midships behind the rudder post (image). Just made another shelf (image) and bolted it under the lip around the aft water tank. I wanted it in a well-ventilated area for efficient cooling.
The new set-up required 17 feet of copper lines vice the normal 12'. No extra charge, but I just had to wait 3 weeks to get it. One retailer wanted to charge me an extra $50, even though Nova Kool wasn't charging him any extra... Bas..ard! Not a big deal to get longer lines, just ask around.
I installed the evaporator box forward in the icebox (there really is no great way of doing it in such a small space, but this is working out pretty well) (image). The lid comes hinged, but I just pulled out the pins and lift it on and off; no problems.
This is a DC only unit, which is fine by me; alongside my Xantrex is doing it's thing anyway.
Guys at my Club had some problems with other manufacturers and distributors, but mine could not have worked out better.
Steve
Ken,
Don't hesitate to call Catalina Yachts. When mine died after we purchased the boat. I called them up and I got a replacement at an unbelievable price. Has something to do with the number they purchase plus, customer loyalty.
Ken,
I replaced my similarly aged AB with a new AB this past spring.
Am very happy with it. Read my earlier post.
Quote from: Bob K on August 24, 2013, 07:30:24 PM
Read my earlier post.
That would be this thread:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7514.msg51891.html#msg51891
Scroll up for the start.
I thought I had some refrig issues this summer up north. I had a commercial guy down to the boat and turns out it likely overheated. He did say that if it starts acting up there may be a leak of the old R12. He claimed to have source for R12 up here if the leak could be located and repaired. Fortunately I don't have that problem, at least not yet.
Hawk
I'm pretty sure mine is low on freon R134. Unfortunately no way to recharge without cutting lines and adding a fill port then vacuuming out the system and recharging. Not worth the effort for an old system. Limping along waiting for the Boat show.
I as so impressed with sea frost, or is it sea freeze? out of Bellingham. I called and he came right down to the boat. took out the old alder barber. although he offer to switch out just the thermostat, which is as it turned out what the problem was. but the one he makes was a much smaller unit. although it is a little noisy at times when the fan kicks in, louder than the old alder barber. but I think less battery and great cooling, freezing. so all in all, glad I replaced it. prevents one more thing from ruining a vacation.
Likely the next shoe to drop on my boat.
Steve, how were you able to work in that space ?
What is the power consumption of the Nova Cool compared to the AB?
Steve!
A word of aution re your Condensor Location! It is located underneath both Scubber hoses, both of mine were split right at the bend resulting in big water leaks whenever it rained. Due to its location these leaks were not easy to find. In addition you have several other close by hose connection, all are potential water leak candidates, your electronics most likely would be damaged in the event of a water leak.
I replaced my A/B unit last year and mounted the Condensor on the Starboard side aft locker platform which was recomended by Catalina. This location provides good ventilation and ease of service.
Andrew,
I know a lot of guys dread the idea of pulling off those aft teak panels, but I do it all the time; takes me maybe 15 minutes from when I get the idea, to get off the steering quadrant cover, port and aft teak panels, less if I use an electric driver.
During previous improvements to the boat I also relocated the instrument wiring so it would run outboard rather than under my muffler and then outboard of my aft water tank so that would come out easily too. I pulled my tank years ago to put in an access port.
As for power consumption, I don't have the manual handy; the Nova Kool site says 2.2 - 6.6 amps which depends on the application. Although I haven't measured it, I'm sure I'm pretty near that 2.2 amps with our fairly small icebox (with added insulation). These guys say "1.5 to 2.5 amps per hour in an adequately insulated ice box."
I suspect all manufacturers are all pretty close.
Karista, nice install.
I appreciate your concern, thanks, but....
The current location (actually between the two scupper hoses) is about 18" from where Catalina put the original, nice and low where the coolest air is (and to keep that sports car handling :D).
Every hose on my boat has been replaced. Not to say that no fitting could leak, but I do a pretty thorough inspection beginning and end of every season.
I also like it low to leave more space in the aft lazarette for accessible storage with no fear of damaging the unit. Although I haven't had to make use of it yet, it's there when I need it.
The two biggest concerns to me for my install were 1 - Best insulation for the Icebox I could do, and 2 - Coolest and most abundant air over that compressor and condenser.
A few clowns, like the guy at Ray's Marine told me that I couldn't do 17' of copper tubing, but when I spoke to knowledgeable professionals they said there was zero concern – guess I'm proving them right.
As for service, if I ever have to do that in the next 15 years, it really doesn't take that long to get at it, either from the top or through the cabin.
Would not do a thing differently, 3 years of bliss.
Edit: links did not come out in line, here's Nova Kool, http://www.novakool.com/products/conversion_units.htm
here's the "These guys" one, http://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=11375|11233&product=17281466&code=Nova%20Kool%20LT-201-FL
My 16-year old Adler Barbour stopped working earlier this year. I had it in the yard later and asked them to diagnose the problem and they told me it was the compressor -- not a small thing. I told a friend in the marina who is an electrician and he checked it and said he thought it was the electronic module. Further, he said there's a former AD tech who lives in Florida who will bench test your module for the cost of shipping, and if bad will sell you a new one for $150. I sent it to him,he tested it and said it was bad. I bought a new module from him, installed it and the box has been working like a charm ever since. Just an idea before you replace the whole unit. If you want the name of the AD guy in Florida and his contact info, let me know and I'll dig it out of my e-mail.
Quote from: Carl Crothers on September 01, 2013, 01:19:48 PM
If you want the name of the AD guy in Florida and his contact info, let me know and I'll dig it out of my e-mail.
Carl, that would be helpful, and I'll link it to the Critical Upgrades page. Thanks.
Would that be Richard Kollmann? http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6630.msg43766.html#msg43766
Great thread. Thanks for the information.
Has anyone done an accurate measurement of the length of copper tube provided by AB to go from the starboard lazarette locker of a Mk II to the reefer in the galley. It is certainly more than 12 ft (the standard length provided by most manufacturers and less than 20 ft by my rough measure. But if I need to get a custom length I would like to be able to order it with confidence before tearing the old unit out.
Hi, John. IIRC, it's the 16 foot length, the "usual option" from most vendors. However, because the orientation of your unit may be off 90 degrees from others (my unit faces aft, I've seen ones facing amidships) that critical last few inches may be different. Meausre once, cut twice...
Carl, that would be helpful, and I'll link it to the Critical Upgrades page. Thanks.
Would that be Richard Kollmann? http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6630.msg43766.html#msg43766[/i][/i]
Stu, that's correct. His e-mail is richard@kollmann-marine.com
Follow up. After the advice here and on other forums, I stopped by the Sea Frost booth at the Boat Show. They sold me. I called Clive, he is one of the most helpful folks you will talk too. Got the freezer bin without the lid. Installed it and turned it on. Set it on max cold (at the dock). Next morning everything in the icebox was frozen. Cut the thermostat back to 1/4, that seems to be about right for fall temps in the Chesapeake. Last night was the first night running only on batteries since the install. Woke up this morning with only 10% of battery capacity gone (link lite) compared to the 50-60% used with the old compressor. Can't say enough good about it. Probably paid about $300 more than the AB system. It is worth it.