here is the adler barbour troubleshooting guide excerpt available on the A-B website: i'd call the # and talk to an AB expert (free) before spending $$$ on a thermostat or refrigerant recharge. if it's a compressor problem the cost skyrockets... (almost better and more cost efficient to put in a new AB than repair an old compressor...)
Intermittent compressor/ Poor electrical supply, chronic Review manual, correct wiring
fan operation voltage fluctuations faults, recharge or replace battery
Faulty control module Replace control module
Faulty compressor Call WAECOUSA (860.664-4911)
STUFF TO TRY YOURSELF BEFORE SPENDING $$$:
1) on my old AB coldmachine installed 1980 i found that after 20 years i had to recharge the refrigerant every two years to keep the machine running well.(not a problem when you could still use the old freon, a much more expensive process now since they changed to refrigerants you cant buy and that 'only the licensed AC tech ' can install.. )
1) T Stat issues: AB went to digital t-stats in 97 so i assume yours is the manual knob stle not the newfangled LED panel: so check your manual t stat knob: after 20 years (1980-2000) suddenly our ABColdmachine wasnty controlling temp too well. i found that the inside plastic hub of the manual T stat knob had fractured so the thermostat knob movement was not accurately controlling temp. pull the plastic knob off the t stat control, at look at the underside. "if it's broke, fix it. " i repaired my knob with an electric tie and some superglue... that repair lasted until we sold the boat in 2007.
2) Compressor issues: but we also found that after 27 years the copper lines into the compressor had developed pin hole leaks so it was not holding a refrigerant charge...cooling gradually declined so i had to keep it on coldest to get any cooling at all. and recharge every year 9fortunately a buddy and i swap services -i do his boat electric repairs and he did my AC charge for cost of the r efrigerant... ) as to the voltage into the compressor, you could also try cleaning and dielectricing the hot terminals into the rear of the compressor unit and into the cooling fan to make sure you have the best connections for your battery to suppply power to the compressor...clean the dust off the fan unit and any part of the compressor you can easily reach .
if noen of these selfhelps fix your problem...
hmmm your unit is 17 years old now ??
