I'm considering replacing my dead Frigibar with an AB-CM. Is this installation something you can do yourself, or do you need a refrig technician to charge the lines? Special equipment needed? Do the lines come pre-charged? If so, how do you reduce the length of line without losing the charge? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Warner
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AB good stuff
I installed an Adler Barbour system in my H31' ice box, if the cold machine is as easy as my compressor/evap. was, should'nt be a problem. Works great!I bought a norcold unit which did'nt work, took it back and took the advice of other sailors/boaters here, ab is the way to go.My unit came pre-charged and connection is easy-just read and follow directions (like everything else)
I installed an Adler Barbour system in my H31' ice box, if the cold machine is as easy as my compressor/evap. was, should'nt be a problem. Works great!I bought a norcold unit which did'nt work, took it back and took the advice of other sailors/boaters here, ab is the way to go.My unit came pre-charged and connection is easy-just read and follow directions (like everything else)
Line Length
The line lengths cannot be changed, unless you're into soldering or flaring fittings, perhaps. If the lines are too long it's no problem to just make a coil, say 30cm in diameter or so, to take up the slack. Obviously the lines should not be kinked. One key element of assembly is to connect the charged lines quickly once the seal is pearced. Being a little on the nervous side about this I persuaded a member of our club who is a commercial refrigeration mechanic to do this while I watched but it's nothing that I couldn't have done. When things start hissing the pulse rate goes up a bit. Electrical lines: In my opinion this is one of the weak links of many installations. The compressor motor starts up fully engaged so there is already a load on it and it needs all the current it can get. Don't undersize the wires or the motor will not have all the current it needs at startup. Current requirement: Figure 3.5 times running current at startup. Line loss: I used 3 percent voltage drop vice 10 percent, at startup, because the A-B cycles a lot. Length of conductors: figure the round-trip distance from battery post to - battery post; that's usually a long distance. To shorten distance consider if a small sub-panel will help. Might be useful for the Autohelm or water pump too. If you aren't sure just keep asking questions (or pay someone). Good luck.
The line lengths cannot be changed, unless you're into soldering or flaring fittings, perhaps. If the lines are too long it's no problem to just make a coil, say 30cm in diameter or so, to take up the slack. Obviously the lines should not be kinked. One key element of assembly is to connect the charged lines quickly once the seal is pearced. Being a little on the nervous side about this I persuaded a member of our club who is a commercial refrigeration mechanic to do this while I watched but it's nothing that I couldn't have done. When things start hissing the pulse rate goes up a bit. Electrical lines: In my opinion this is one of the weak links of many installations. The compressor motor starts up fully engaged so there is already a load on it and it needs all the current it can get. Don't undersize the wires or the motor will not have all the current it needs at startup. Current requirement: Figure 3.5 times running current at startup. Line loss: I used 3 percent voltage drop vice 10 percent, at startup, because the A-B cycles a lot. Length of conductors: figure the round-trip distance from battery post to - battery post; that's usually a long distance. To shorten distance consider if a small sub-panel will help. Might be useful for the Autohelm or water pump too. If you aren't sure just keep asking questions (or pay someone). Good luck.
pre-charged
Warner, I believe I spoke with you earlier today. The ColdMachine is pre-charged and designed for a do-it-yourself installation. DO NOT shorten the tubeset! Simply coil the excess tube in a horizontal plane above the condensing unit.
Warner, I believe I spoke with you earlier today. The ColdMachine is pre-charged and designed for a do-it-yourself installation. DO NOT shorten the tubeset! Simply coil the excess tube in a horizontal plane above the condensing unit.
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