I have a 1994 Hunter 35.5 with the Adler Barbour refrigerator and was wondering about leaving it on when not on the boat. I live about 35 minutes away and try to get down weekly but sometimes it would run for longer when I'm not aboard. I stay connected to shore power and leave the charger on. I'm wondering if I'd be doing damage to the refrigerator or the batteries by doing this. Also, a couple of weeks ago it ran for a few days and I notice one of the lines had iced up running to the cooling unit. I'd appreciate any advice.
Adler Barbour 12V refrigerator
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Let It Run
Many years ago, I had the same question and talked to the AB tech. He told me to just leave it on. You can turn it down, since you won't be opening and closing it when you are not there, but they are designed as full time and should easily last 20+ years. He also had the same suggestion for running it when you are on the hook; it is more efficient to run it than turn it on and off. To save battery draw, raise the temp. Won't hurt the batteries but may shorten their life some (a little). Rick D. PS: the line icing up some is normal.
Many years ago, I had the same question and talked to the AB tech. He told me to just leave it on. You can turn it down, since you won't be opening and closing it when you are not there, but they are designed as full time and should easily last 20+ years. He also had the same suggestion for running it when you are on the hook; it is more efficient to run it than turn it on and off. To save battery draw, raise the temp. Won't hurt the batteries but may shorten their life some (a little). Rick D. PS: the line icing up some is normal.
If you keep perishables
on board let it run. After several years of service since I've had the boat, I just had a board replaced for $400 which was due to another problem. I asked the expert the same question and he said it's okay to let it run all the time.
on board let it run. After several years of service since I've had the boat, I just had a board replaced for $400 which was due to another problem. I asked the expert the same question and he said it's okay to let it run all the time.
Always On
Hugh, we have the same boat and same refrigeration system . We turn it on in May and off in October. We are on the boat during the weekend and for 2 or 3 weeks of vacation. Works fine. Leave it on all the time it is OK.
Hugh, we have the same boat and same refrigeration system . We turn it on in May and off in October. We are on the boat during the weekend and for 2 or 3 weeks of vacation. Works fine. Leave it on all the time it is OK.
Never turn it off.
Hugh: We never turn ours off. It has run for several years. The only question would be your charger/battery setup. If you have flooded batteries and you do not have a smart charger this may be an area that you want to address. Keep it plugged in and check the water in the batteries. If you are not having any excess water usage you should be good to go. As far as you lines icing up, consider putting some of that pipe insulation around them.
Hugh: We never turn ours off. It has run for several years. The only question would be your charger/battery setup. If you have flooded batteries and you do not have a smart charger this may be an area that you want to address. Keep it plugged in and check the water in the batteries. If you are not having any excess water usage you should be good to go. As far as you lines icing up, consider putting some of that pipe insulation around them.
Check the thermostat and lid insulation
to insure the unit would not be running more than it should. If it is working properly you may leave it on. Make sure the battery switch is in either 1 or 2 not on both as if someone would accidentally shut your power off you would not drain both batteries.
to insure the unit would not be running more than it should. If it is working properly you may leave it on. Make sure the battery switch is in either 1 or 2 not on both as if someone would accidentally shut your power off you would not drain both batteries.
Adler Barbour 12v refrigeration
Thanks for all the input. I think I'll just leave it on during the sailing season which fortunately for us runs March-November.
Thanks for all the input. I think I'll just leave it on during the sailing season which fortunately for us runs March-November.
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