Dometic Adler Barbour Cold Machine

Dec 25, 2000
5,932
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Hi Maine Sail, just finished installing a CU-100 Adler Barbour Cold Machine with a vertical box evaporator. The installation instructions say to apply a liberal amount of R134 refrigerant oil to the coupling threads before connecting the evaporator tubes to the compressor. No oil came with the system.

Mixed opinions from the professionals about whether to use vaseline, silicon dielectric grease, or no need to bother, as a substitute. Your thoughts please.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Hi Maine Sail, just finished installing a CU-100 Adler Barbour Cold Machine with a vertical box evaporator. The installation instructions say to apply a liberal amount of R134 refrigerant oil to the coupling threads before connecting the evaporator tubes to the compressor. No oil came with the system.

Mixed opinions from the professionals about whether to use vaseline, silicon dielectric grease, or no need to bother, as a substitute. Your thoughts please.
i am not maine but if they say oil with 134 oil there is a reason ...it could be to keep the threads from seizing up or gaulding or it may help seal the joint ...you can get this at any auto store or maybe even wally world ...i do know if you contaminate the refrigerant it will be less efficient

there used to be a lady who contributed here named Danise spelling ? that own an hvac company that would know.... wonder where she is
 
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Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Woody, Denise is still over on Sailnet.

Terry, try Kollmann's website: http://www.kollmann-marine.com/

Or call Dometic tomorrow morning, after all, they wrote the danged instructions but didn't give you the "tool."
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,932
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Adler Barbour Cold Machine Replacement

Thanks Woody and Stu, yes I plan on giving Dometic a piece of my mind tomorrow. I'm sure they have a good reason behind their leaving the oil off of their parts list. I'll let you know what they say.
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,932
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Adler Barbour Cold Machine

Sunday I sent an e-mail to Dometic for advice on what lubricant to use on the coupling threads between the evaporator and compressor. Heard back from them this morning (impressed with their speedy response). The tech said they use a light machine oil such as 3-In-One brand. He said it only takes a drop, just to help minimize any thread galling.

Okay! Easy solution. Will finish up the install this coming weekend and turn the system on to get the beer chilled before heading north to Princess Royal Island British Columbia to see the Spirit Bear.
 
Last edited:
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Sunday I sent an e-mail to Dometic for advice on what lubricant to use on the coupling threads between the evaporator and compressor. Heard back from them this morning (impressed with their speedy response). The tech said they use a light machine oil such as 3-In-One brand. He said it only takes a drop, just to help minimize any thread galling.

Okay! Easy solution. Will finish up the install this coming weekend and turn the system on to get the beer chilled before heading north to Princess Royal Island British Columbia to see the Spirit Bear.
Yep you are just looking to prevent galling and also to prevent any contamination. This is why they recommend a little 134, to prevent contamination by a foreign substance.... If you are careful you can use pretty much any lube that would prevent galling..
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,932
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Adler Barbour Cold Machine

Hi Maine Sail, thanks for the input. Applied a drop or two of 3-IN-ONE light machine oil to the coupling threads and finished up the install this last Friday. The system came right up. By yesterday the beer was nice and cold ready for consumption. After washing the top side in the sun those cold beers sure tasted good.