Catalina 315 Isoterm Refrig Question

[CaptBob]

Hi Folks,
I took delivery of my new Cat 315 in Sept 2022. Winds didn't cooperate this fall so didn't do much in the way of sailing. By the time I got oriented to the new boat, it was time to start thinking about winterizing. So the boat is now winterized and asleep for the winter. I didn't use the refrigerator that much before winterizing, but I did notice that the top of the counter above the Isotherm Cruise Elegance Refrigerator gets extremely hot. I know there is a fan that is supposed to exhaust hot air out through the bulkhead (there are vent holes) in the port lazaret. However, I don't feel a lot of hot air or hear the fan. Appreciate hearing back with what your experience is with this refrigerator .

Thanks,
CaptBob
"Kimberly" Catalina 315 #87

 

[jssailem]

No idea about your warranty, so I would suggest you fire up that bad boy and see if it cools beer. Or soda if you play that way.

There should be heat going somewhere. They use a controller. The controller can go phissts... and then nothing works.

 

[Johnb]

We have a Cruise Elegance 85 and the air above the compressor is barely perceptibly warmer than ambient when it (and the integral fan) are running. It is installed in a cabinet with about 3 inches of space around it.

Something is wrong if the fan is not running.

 

[CaptBob]

The refrigerator is cooling the few times I ran it. I'll run it more when I de-winterize in early spring. Is the fan audible and push a lot of warm or hot air?

 

[Johnb]

The refrigerator is cooling the few times I ran it. I'll run it more when I de-winterize in early spring. Is the fan audible and push a lot of warm or hot air?

The air is not very warm - it is dissipating less than 50 watts. The fan is audible.

 

[jssailem]

Some fans provide a vibration more than a noise. The modern design is to use a variable fan motor like that used in computers. They can be nearly silent when running. The better insulated the box is the less the fan and compressor will run. You may be able to feel the compressor running more than heat a fan.

The ability to move the air is key to shedding the heat from the compressor.

 

[CaptBob]

Thanks guys.

How about some info from Catalina 310 or 315 owners?

CaptBob
S/V Kimberly

 

[Steve_Catalina]

Catalina310.org

 

[Tom J]

Thanks guys.

How about some info from Catalina 310 or 315 owners?

CaptBob
S/V Kimberly

The compressor for the fridge in the C310 is located under the starboard stern quarter seat. Remote location from fridge, so no noise and lots of ventilation.

 

[CaptBob]

Thanks Tom J. Wasn’t Sure where the compressor was on a 310.

 

[leo310]

On mine its located by the water heater on the shelf

 

[CaptBob]

Thanks Leo310.

 

[Skipper John]

Congratulations, Captain Bob, on your new 315! Ours is #81, just a bit ahead of you.

Yes, the Isotherm refrigerator fan blows into the port lazarette. The vent opening seems small, and we make sure to keep our plastic trash can liner from blocking it. We have not noticed much heat on the counter above the refrigerator.

Perhaps your fan is not operating correctly or the vent is blocked somehow?

Good luck figuring it out! John

 

[CaptBob]

Thanks John, This is what I've suspected. The fan may not be working properly or not at all. I too try to keep that vent opening from being blocked, but that doesn't seem to help a lot. I'll investigate further. Thanks again.

CaptBob

 

[CaptBob]

Skipper John, Can you hear the fan running?

CaptBob

 

[Skipper John]

Sorry to report that work and the rainy weather here in CA have kept me away from the boat. I hope to go for a trip in March and will check, but can't do so now.

We do hear that compressor cycling on and off, but I don't remember hearing any distinct fan sound.

Sorry!

 

[CaptBob]

Okay. Thanks again John.
CaptBob

 

[Skipper John]

I checked with another 315 owner who says that his countertop does not get hot, and that the air seems to be expelled into the lazarette as designed. FYI. John

 

[CaptBob]

Thanks John. Hope to check my refrig this weekend, weather permitting.
CapBob