Freezer repair, 2015 Oceanis 48

[Roger F]

We have a Vitrifrigo freezer. Model BN100BT – DE, Compressor BD50F per label.

According the service tech it appears to have a slow leak and likely will need to be replaced due to difficulty in a fix. Has any one run into this issue? It has kept frozen on the top but not the bottom and it does much better after adding more coolant...for a month or two.

It appears that the unit is built in so the entire counter will need to be removed in order to remove and replace the unit. Is there another option?

Thanks!
Roger

 

[Baby Sea Wolf]

Can you provide a picture of the front of your built-in freezer?

 

[Roger F]

It is a top opening freezer with 2 sides built in, 1 side hull, and other side is against the front opening fridge. It appears the top portion of the freezer is built into the counter top

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

I have installed 2 of these, Isotherm 2010-SX Compact Air Cooled Refrigeration Component System with ISEC*

 

[Baby Sea Wolf]

On one side, maybe near the floor, there should be some ventilation holes for compressor cooling. Can you locate them and take a picture again?

 

[Roger F]

Accessed to refill with coolant. Both seem to be working fine.

 

[Montage_55]

Hi Roger, I have an Oceansis 55 with the same problems. The freezer works well but it leaks water. I think the Fridge does also. I have taken things apart as best I can in order to get the Fridge out but I'm stuck. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take the entire countertop a part and I don't know how or where to start. You mentioned "According to the service tech" Who is this? As anyone got the Fridge out of the counter? I understand the compressor line will have to be cut. Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Roger F]

Montage - actually our slow leak is coolant not water. Did you check your drain plug and hose and is the drain pump work well (our drain sump button is beneath the stove beside the freezer).

 

[HaroldW]

I had the same issue on a 2013 Beneteau Oceanis 50. I replaced the evaporator coil. I am an hvac technician. It requires some brazing and the system is a little difficult to charge. I saw this done on a much newer boat that must have had a coil that failed when under warranty. I no longer own the boat but will try to find a picture of the new coil and post here in a couple of days. You can purchase a slab coil from Vitrifrigo and bend it in a U shape. The coil is placed inside the box instead of around the outside. That would be impossible to do without tearing up the cabinet.

 

[Roger F]

Thanks Harold that would be great!

 

[HaroldW]

I was wrong about it being flat. I got the flat one for a different job. This is the parts breakdown I used and I think it is the same as your system (see attachment). The company that I get parts from does not sell retail but check out Vitrifrigo Plate Evaporators (suremarineservice.com).
I have never bought from them, so at your own risk. If the attachment does not open, reply to this again. I have never responded in one of these so might have done it wrong.

 

[Roger F]

It opened up fine! I will reach out or if need be coordinate with a local marine service repair group. Much appreciate and I will report back after we give it a try. Cheers!

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

I refit my 2 freezers with:

Isotherm 2010-SX Compact Air Cooled Refrigeration Component System with ISEC

 

[Roger F]

I refit my 2 freezers with:

Isotherm 2010-SX Compact Air Cooled Refrigeration Component System with ISEC

What size freezers do you have?

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Not sure of the size, will measure and report over the weekend. My freezers are top loaders, I bet yours are front loaders. Many different kit size options are available, have you looked to see if one fits?

 

[Roger F]

Ours is top loading also. The inside lip is about 12x16 and then expands out to about 20x16 but smaller section on bottom, so likely in the 1.5 CF range.

 

[Montage_55]

Montage - actually our slow leak is coolant not water. Did you check your drain plug and hose and is the drain pump work well (our drain sump button is beneath the stove beside the freezer).

Late reply Roger. Yes, the drain pump worked well and the freezer get really cold. I have condensation issues. I just removed the refrigerator and now have better access. Everything opens like this I might as well change the fridge unit. I'm curious, what was your final solution?

Best
Joseph

 

[Montage_55]

I end up taking the entire unit out. So I can fix that condensation problem because of poor build quality. No i did not need to take the counter out. See attached pictures. Hope this help others

 

[RitSim]

My compressor controller was shot and the repair of the older controller was almost the cost of a new setup. So I replaced y controller and compressor with a dual voltage compressor and controller (12VDC/120VAC). My setup had two screw type connections that made that possible. I have also read about people finding leaks in their evaporator and buying a new evaporator panel and carefully bending it to fit. That's above my pay grade. If you have a tubing leak, you may be able to solder a "saddle" patch over the hole. However, the leak may actually indicate that there is internal corrosion.

 

[Mechone]

My compressor controller was shot and the repair of the older controller was almost the cost of a new setup. So I replaced y controller and compressor with a dual voltage compressor and controller (12VDC/120VAC). My setup had two screw type connections that made that possible. I have also read about people finding leaks in their evaporator and buying a new evaporator panel and carefully bending it to fit. That's above my pay grade. If you have a tubing leak, you may be able to solder a "saddle" patch over the hole. However, the leak may actually indicate that there is internal corrosion.

Bending the plate is done screwing a 4 inch ABS pipe across where you want the bend clamping the plate to a piece of wood with the ABS, then slowly bending around ABS pipe