Cold Machine condensor fan not working properly

Status
Not open for further replies.

Persy

.
Dec 22, 2004
192
Hunter 42 Madisonville
The condensor fan in my 2001 Adler Barbour Cold Machine comes on when the unit is 1st turned on, but then after only 30 seconds or so, turns off...compressor stays working, but no fan... The unit won't freeze up the plate, it just gets them cold. The compressor gets very hot. I got the plate to freeze by putting a small room fan on the compressor unit to cool the condensor coils. The compressor never stopped running and I finally just turned off the unit. The freezer thermostat will not adjust & is stuck on max, so I'm getting that replaced, but it doesn't seem like that should affect whether the fan cycles on & off with the compressor. Any ideas?
 

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,183
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Sounds Like Power Module

See this link. However, that's a lot of money for a guess. I think you'll need a visit from the refrig guy. Or, if that thought offends your sense of independence, you can always buy Kollmann's book (I did). See this link: http://www.kollmann-marine.com/ Rick D.
 
Jan 4, 2004
11
- - Deale, MD
Me, too ...

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear of your problem ... I'd begun to think I was alone with this. I have a 2002 H-356, and have experienced the same problem with the spill-over fan ever since the boat was new. The symptom sounds identical to yours: The spill-over fan comes on when the system is first fired up, runs for awhile, then shuts off and never comes on again. So, the temperature in the refrigerator side initially cools down to the safe range, but once the fan stops functioning the temp rises and never comes down below about 50 degrees. The freezer section is running fine ... compressor comes on and off, and temp stays at about 20 degrees with the thermostat set on 5 (7 is max). The dealer has made numerous unsuccessful attempts to find the trouble, and finally commissioned a marine refrigeration expert with no greater luck. The last "fix" was to replace the spill-over fan thermostat and relocate it to a different mounting position, on the theory it was falsely reading the temp on the coldest wall that is shared with the freezer section. Well, that has made no difference either. After an initial run period, the spill-over fan still stops and never restarts ... regardless of its thermostat setting or the temperature in the refrigerator. There must be a simple solution, so any advice is deeply appreciated! Pete S/V "Sh'boom!"
 

Bob F.

.
May 6, 2004
60
- - San Diego
My fix on my H376........

First i replaced the fan. Then I assumed the relay/switch was over heating since it only happened on hot days. So I always keep a settee cushion "ajar" to allow some air to circulate, I also have the raw water pump "on" to help cool it. Its been 18 months and no problems. Yes that little part Rick refers to is very expensive. Bob F
 

Persy

.
Dec 22, 2004
192
Hunter 42 Madisonville
clarification of which fan....

The fan that is not working correctly is the cooling fan for the condensor coils, not the spillover fan to the refrig, which works fine. (I edited original post to reflect this)
 
F

Franklin

My 375

has problems with the Frig too. It seems my compressor never stops working, nor the water pump. The freezer seems to get cold and frozen but the frig sometimes does and sometimes I'm not so sure it does (I don't keep it on much anymore because it never shuts down and that's a hugh power drain). The fan one time wasn't turning so I put my hand down there and gave it a little twist and it started up so I think the fan may need to be replaced, but that doesn't explain why the compressor never stops working and it does get a little hot (not sure if it's too hot or not). Unless somebody has had this problem, I think one day I will call the refrig guy.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.