Adler Barbour fridge fault

[Veraneo]

Hi,

Did anyone experience problem with their Adler/Barbour fridge?

I am getting the error code 3 on the controller LED. I am wondering if it is the Danfoss controller module or the compressor itself that is faulty.

Regards

 

[Stu Jackson]

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

Great site for learning. Try the Tech Tips tab.

 

[Veraneo]

Thanks Stu

The info available on Kollmann-marine were of great help.

The troubleshooting error code provided by the controller LED was not accurate. It was pointing the compressor has being the problem, but in fact it was the controller itself.

Prior to buy any new parts, I borrowed a controller from a friend and it solve the problem. Many boats are equipped with this common part.

So, it has been not so hard to troubleshoot, and not too expensive to repair by myself.

 

[Long Story]

I've been dealing with issues on my unit all summer, (well Tech has at my $$$$) Where do I look to see these flash codes? Is this obvious to the casual observer?

Russ
s/v Long Story

 

[Veraneo]

Russ,

The following link will show you a picture of the complete condensing unit that is located in the stern starboard.

http://www.defender.com/expanded.jsp?path=-1|2276179|2276204|2276226|2530817&id=1599545

The troubleshooting LED is located on the stainless steel control box.

Also, follow the link provided by Stu above, there is a lot of helpfull information.

 

[paulj]

i've Been Dealing With Issues On My Unit Summer, (well Tech Has At My $$$$) Where Do I Look To See These Flash Codes? Is This Obvious To The Casual Observer?

Russ
S/v Long Story

Wysiwyg



paulj :troll:

 

[Long Story]

Thank you all - very helpful!

Russ
s/v Long Story

 

[2 OLD PIRATES]

This might be lame question, but here goes. Is it possible to take 120v step down to 12v and run the fridge directly from shore power, by passing the batteries.

Cheers
2 OLD PIRATES

 

[peter_ms]

Sure, you would need a 12V power supply with enough capacity to carry the reefer. You have that built in at the moment; the battery charger...

 

[Stu Jackson]

This might be lame question, but here goes. Is it possible to take 120v step down to 12v and run the fridge directly from shore power, by passing the batteries.

Cheers
2 OLD PIRATES

Peter's right.

But, why bother?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

This might be lame question, but here goes. Is it possible to take 120v step down to 12v and run the fridge directly from shore power, by passing the batteries.

Cheers
2 OLD PIRATES

Are you trying to run the refer without batteries installed?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Are you trying to run the refer without batteries installed?

Ahh, "the" leading question. The answer is to read the A/B manual, which says: Don't do it.

 

[peter_ms]

Take an inexpensive 12V battery; put it in and the charger will carry the reefer with the capacitance effect of a battery to keep A/B happy

 

[woodster]

on my weco refer it has a power supply that runs on 120 vac and supplies 12 v dc the the refer ...isotherm also has that feature..... in othere words if i disconnect the 12v bat it kicks in and supplies 12v to the fridge but the little box is about 285.00 iircc

 

[Stu Jackson]

Take an inexpensive 12V battery; put it in and the charger will carry the reefer with the capacitance effect of a battery to keep A/B happy

Could you explain why this is a reasonable solution/suggestion?

 

[peter_ms]

Could you explain why this is a reasonable solution/suggestion?

Stu

He hasn't explained why he wants to run the reefer direct on 120V, but if it is because the main batteries are pooched and he only wants to run the reefer; the boat charger is capable of running the reefer but won't carry compressor start without a battery buffer. Hence almost any size battery will provide that...

If his charger is pooched; rather than look for an AC alternative (other than replacing the compressor with a 12VDC/120VAC unit), he needs to bite the bullet and replace the charger..

If everything is fine on the boat he can keep it plugged in (he obviously has 120v!) and carry the reefer as normal and there is no reason for a 120v alternate source...

Could you explain why you think not?
Peter

 

[2 OLD PIRATES]

Wow great responses. The reason for the question was since I have shore power why not use it and take the load off the batteries. My charger is working well and I have a solar panel hockup which is working well also. I am replacng the batteries next spring with 4 Trojan 105's 6 Volts. I still have to check to see if the solar panel will work with the new battery setup. As for the charger that I'll be replacing.
Thanks guys for your input, always appreciated.

Cheers
2 OLD PIRATES

 

[peter_ms]

Wow great responses. The reason for the question was since I have shore power why not use it and take the load off the batteries. My charger is working well and I have a solar panel hockup which is working well also. I am replacng the batteries next spring with 4 Trojan 105's 6 Volts. I still have to check to see if the solar panel will work with the new battery setup. As for the charger that I'll be replacing. Thanks guys for your input, always appreciated. Cheers 2 OLD PIRATES

There is no load on the batteries. The charger keeps them up and carries the reefer at the same time
P

 

[LeoLambert310]

For your information this is what I found and did with the results.
Last year at the Catalina rendezvous we had an owner and electrical engineer give a talk on 12 volt systems. Taking this to the next step what he stated was as the boat ages the wire and contacts corrode to a point where you will give a high line loss. What happened to us is our fridge started to act up, works very well under shore power and running the engine but would cycle and only be cool under battery power. What I did was replace the 10 gauge wire with 6 gauge net outcome was the system is working very well so much so that we now have to check to see if we have the unit on as its now so quite that we can’t hear if its running or not. Power consumption seems to be less do to less cycles under battery power. I know the wire gauge is an over kill but I don’t have to worry about line loss and the fridge will get full 12 volts and amps to drive the compressor.

 

[2 OLD PIRATES]

Hi Leo:

From what you just said, would it be a wise move to upgrade to 6 gauge from 10 since I'm replacing my 4D's with 4 Trojans 6Vs.

Cheers
2 OLD PIRATES