refrigeration repair/replace

[boblin]

My compressor is not working, and I'm wondering which way to go. Repair guy says it could be rebuilt or replaced with new but it would take new fittings on evaporator lines and a complete evacuation of lines and refill ($$$$)and I would still have a 27 year old evaporator. He recommended a complete new system (compressor and evaporator) that is pre-charged and pretty easy to self install. Any thoughts on this? My compressor is located on port side of aft locker.

Thanks

Bob

[Carolina Soul]

Sounds like a new system is the way to go.  I had a similar issue on my 1988 - system not working when I purchased the boat.  I removed the compressor, use the box as an ice box (dry ice works well with no melted residue) and installed an Engel for in port.  I have not looked back.

[Stu Jackson]

If you're sure it's really dead, after reading through here:

Refrigeration 101 - link to Richard Kollmann's website

http://www.kollmann-marine.com/

I agree that a complete new unit is in order.  Besides the fact that the refrigerants have changed over the years, a fridge specialist in my area said that older evaporators aren't matched to newer compressors.

Besides, it's easier to start over, plug & play.

Good luck.

[Ron Hill]

Bob : I wouldn't spend 2 seconds thinking about spending $$ on trying to rebuild anything on a 27 year old unit!!  (new coolant and the labor??, absolutely NOT!!)

Go for a new one!! 

[Ken Juul]

If you have the need for a freezer, the Sea Frost system is the way to go.  Installed one a couple years ago and could not be happier with it.  Execellent customer service! 

[pablosgirl]

Hi Bob,
We went through a similar problem at the end of last year.  Called out the tech and he found that the system still had a freon charge and said that it was either the control module or the compressor that was bad. He recommended replacing it.

Decided to keep funding the kids in collage and contacted Richard Kollmann as Stu suggested.  He said that the Danflos compressors we built tuff and the control module was the likely culprit.  He also said they were easily damaged by voltave spikes.  Went out and found a used module at a boaters resale shop and installed.  The module was Indead the source of the problem and our fridge has been running continuously since December..  Richard will test your module for a small fee.  Something to think about.
Paul

[boblin]

Thanks  all for the replies. The tech that checked the unit could not get resistance at any of the terminals, and the fact that he recommended buying a pre-charged unit and installing it myself gives me a comfort level with his diagnosis. i guess what I am looking for is some one with hands on experience in buying and installing a new unit. The ones I've seen advertised say that the evac. unit can be installed up to 6 ft. away from comp. I would need at least 12 to 14 feet of tube to replace current system as it is installed now.

Thanks again

Bob

[Steve McGill]

Bob,

I'm sure there are others, but Adler / Barbour makes a few units that can be placeed up to 15' from the evaporator.

You can check their WEB site or many of the merchant's selling their units like defender.com.

Three years ago I replace mine with an Adler/Barbour unit and needed 15', the old compressor was in my aft locker and I wished
to maintain the same setup.

Good luck,

Steve

[Stu Jackson]

Steve's right.  It's WAECO Dometic for using Google to search for their website.