Air cooled fridge--French built Oceanis 43

[Michael Boyle]

Hi All,
I have been monitoring my fridge, used in UK/French waters during last summer. It runs for approx 25min in 60 stopping an starting at about 2min intervals. Air temp is less than 20 deg C most of time and any change doesn't seem to affect running time. I have tried changing the thermostat setting but makes marginal difference. Fidge is full most of time (keep it so with beer or wine to ensure a full cold capacity) Boat only 18month old. haven't as yet tried cleaning the cooler I assume that it is under the fridge behind the grated facia and will do so when next on board.
Any ideas to improve cooling. Is it worth fitting a through hull heat exchanger rather than the air cooled system? Will be having her out in May for check and antifoul. Do you know if you can patch them into existing compressor is it a question of buying a new compressor unit?
All suggestions gratefully recieved
Michael

 

[DeniseO30]

Your questions seem to indicate your not the DIY type, So why don't you first have it checked by a professional? The questions you will be asked are;
1, is the evaporator obscured and or covered in frost? (never use an ice pick to defrost)
2, Is the lid/door air tight?
3, have you made very sure all the electrical connections are tight and you have good power supply?

Just saying, you really should go on the assumption that the system installed was right and applied correctly and it may just have a problem before you think about changes or "improvements"

 

[Stu Jackson]

It might help to know what manufacturer.

 

[Mike B]

Mike, gently pry off the grills in front of both compressors then clean the coils. They're held on with a semi pliable glue. I was able to reinsert mine without regluing. You'll be surprised how much dust and lint accumulate on the coils in a short period of time. Removing the grills is the only way to get to them for a thorough cleaning. Make sure you get the tubing as well as getting good air flow over the coils is key to cooling. I also installed a stainless vent over each compressor in the removable wooden cover to increase air flow. I would also recommend purchasing a couple of synthetic ice packs and leaving them in the freezer compartment of the fridge. We picked up some off the web that are flat until they're soaked in water. Once they absorb the water you place them in the freezer. They fall somewhere between normal and dry ice and do a great job of keeping the fridge cool. They also work well in a cooler. We keep a couple in the main freezer then swap out the ones in the cooler periodically.
Mike

 

[Mike B]

He has a Beneteau 43.

 

[Michael Boyle]

Thanks Mike, we have cooler capsules in the freezer just to maintain the cold, plus a number of ice cubes moulds for the gin. Will get a couple more and rotate with fridge--good idea
You mentioned compressors. I had assumed that there was only one that cooled the element around the freezer that then cooled the the cool cabinet section of the fridge. The whole fidge section looks as if the only ventilation is through the grill at cabin sole level and poorly fitting side panels with the hull. I had wondered about putting the additional ventilation from under the chart table, near cabin sole and also into the under sink area. Did you consider that?
Many thanks for reply, I had thought that I was fairly handy at DIY but obviously not given that impression.
Michael

 

[Gunni]

Start by cleaning the condenser coil as Mike B says. This a regular maintenance item on the refrigeration system (but much overlooked). The excessive cycling, and poor cooliing are classic symptoms of a blocked condenser coil, and the compressor controller is shutting down to protect the compressor.

 

[DeniseO30]

To really check out the operation you need to know the diagnostics for the particular unit. You can look it up and most likely download the manual. Any advice we give you may be helpful but; without real time read outs of voltage, amps, pressures and temps it's mostly guess work. The module that controls and protects the compressor is hyper sensitive to voltage, and amperage.
"Just dump some refrigerant in it" is suggested most often. BUT; the system only holds ozs. not lbs of refrigerant. Most well meaning pole will overcharge these little systems. It's R-134 right?

I'm guessing an electrical problem. Just a loose connection would do it because it will slowly make the amp draw rise over a given amount of time. Low voltage supply will cause amp draw to rise also.

 

[Ron20324]

... the only ventilation is through the grill at cabin sole level ... I had wondered about putting the additional ventilation from under the chart table, near cabin sole and also into the under sink area. Did you consider that?...

Mike, my B323 has the compressor in the same cabinet as the sink, which is separated from the fridge by a wood panel that does not come all the way down to the floor. The compressor heat would build up in the sink cabinet, then waft over to the fridge through that low open area. /// Like yours, there is ONE vent down low. This vent COULD let in cooler air IF there was some place for the hot air to go. Since hot air rises, if you can put a second vent higher up on the opposite side of the first, that will allow a draft to go through the cabinet with compressor. /// When away from the boat I leave the under-sink door open as an additional way to vent the heat out of the cabinet.

When you have the fridge "full", do you leave space for the cold air to move around the items?

 

[Mike B]

Mike, we have the 2008 43 which has two compressors located in the cabinet under the oven. Your French built version may be different but I would definately locate the compressor(s) and thoroughly clean the coils. Use a light to inspect and ensure you have removed all the dirt. If you have limited air flow across the coils or through the box where the compressor sits it will have a major negative impact on cooling ability. If possible install extra ventilation to aide air flow. If after you clean the coils you still have a problem then remove and reseat every connector on the compressor's circuit board. Sometimes the connections can oxidize reducing the volateg flowing to the compressor. Since you've never cleaned the unit my guess is doing so will remedy the situation. Good luck.
Mike