Adler Barbour Refrigeration Issue

[dis-patch]

I'm a newer sailboat owner. Four months living aboard Dis-patch my 1997 Hunter 376. I've had an issue with my refrigeration from the get go. First it was clogged lines. PO didn't seem to have the inclination to maintain the system. But even after I thought I had cleaned them out with Barnacle Buster the out flow is still just a trickle. Then I was enlightened that I needed to clean the sea strainer every few weeks. Still just a trickle. Then I replaced the lines. And still just a trickle. I've even taken apart this little pump that was there and cleaned it out. I wasn't even dirty when I got it opened, but cleaned it while I was inside. Still just a trickle, the water just doesn't seem to be flowing freely at all. And I've got another issue also. I'm having to defrost the freezer insert just about every 2 weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions, within reason, as to what I can do to solve my headache here and keep my refrigeration system running in top performance?

 

[Allan Frey]

>I'm having to defrost the freezer insert just about every 2 weeks.

The rubber gasket on the door is probably not sealing and needs to be replaced. Warm humid air is probably getting in.

Test by opening the door and laying a dollar bill across the gasket. Close the door and drag the bill around the door. You should not be able to drag if there is a good seal. If the bill slides around, you need a new gasket. An easy job.

allan

 

[Stu Jackson]

Google Richard Kollmann, he's the fridge expert.

 

[dis-patch]

WOW! Thank you for that quick easy and inexpensive test. Those are the kinds of tricks I'm wanting to learn. The boxes look as if the rubber gaskets are new. That may not be the case. I do notice that when I open that door there is considerable amounts of water droplets on the underside of the door.

 

[Stu Jackson]

dis - insulation, insulation, insulation...

 

[dis-patch]

OK! Insulation, where? Not trying to be funny or stupid, just not sure where you mean for me to place more insulation.

 

[Stu Jackson]

No, I understand. The bottom and sides of production sailboats' "boxes" which the evaporator is placed is rarely insulated, nor is the top. My top has a thick coating of insulation on the inside when you lift/open it. I still have not added insulation around the sides and bottom, but that will make your fridge work a lot less and save electrons. As you've learned, the "leak" at the edges of the top let in outside air and creates the buildup on your evaporator. We use the dollar bill test between the top of the fridge and the edges. Also, at night, either turn it off or at least put a towel or some kind of other insulation material over the top.

When you get the time, check out Kollmann's website, good stuff there.

Do a search (upper right tab) here on Adler Barbour (exact phrase) and read away, good stuff here on skipper's experiences.

Good luck. You'll learn to love it.

 

[dis-patch]

Have any idea's about my water flow problems? Easy way's to flush and maintain my lines? Does my unit have to have water running through it? I've heard that the water cooling is just an option and can be removed.

 

[Stu Jackson]

dis,

Please, please, pretty please: When you get the time, check out Kollmann's website, good stuff there.

Unless you've been there and haven't gotten any satisfaction.

Richard is also good at answering emails.

 

[robertsapp]

Magnetic Seals?

Here's a question I've been wondering about. Modern refrigerators use magnetic seals that hold themselves closed. Most of the boat systems I've seen use the old compression gasket type seals, which don't work as well. Has anyone ever seen a kit that would let you convert an existing refrigerated box to magnetic seals? The kit would obviously have to include some sort of steel strips to attach to the box lip for the magnetic seals to grab, since most refrigerator boxes are fiberglass or wood.

 

[dis-patch]

Re: Magnetic Seals?

That would be a very good question for Kollmann. I'm waiting for administrative approval on his web site in order to participate. I am going to try the dollar bill test when i get home on Thursday and as soon as I have got approval for participation I plan to ask the exact same question that you've just posed about the magnetic seal. Thanks for bringing it up.

 

[John T1594]

Drain

Not sure about fixing your water flow problem but here is another hint to keep the refrigerator &/or freezer cooler and also reduce icing. Place a rubber or cork stopper in the drain inside the unit. It will keep the heavy cold air from draining into (and cooling) your bilge - thus sucking warm humid air around the refirg door.