Frigoboat Refrigeration System Repair

M

Mike H.

.
Mar 16, 2009
303
Hunter Vision-36 Richmond
Hello All:
We just took delivery on our 1988 Beneteau First 35s5. We have lots of repairs to make, but this is a refrigeration question.

What I know:
The system gets power.
The fan runs.
I don't hear the compressor running.
The compressor warms up.
There is some cooling at the part in the ice box, (evaporator(?)).
Some tubes at the compressor are cool and warm.
The compressor is a FRIGOBOAT model AV12, probably original.

Can this be serviced and made to work? What could be the problem?

Thanks,

Mike
 
rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
If it is using R22 it is not worth fixing. After this year you won’t be able to buy any more
 
G

GBGraham

.
Nov 10, 2017
258
Hunter Legend 260 Epidavros
If it's new to you, how long have you had it running? Do you know the model?
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

.
Apr 8, 2010
2,088
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
I installed a Frigoboat system in approx 2004, and it worked wonderfully for a little over a decade. Then it would stop cooling altho a small recharge would get it working again for part of a season. My local refrigeration tech advised me not to spend more of (my) money or (his) time. What happens is that sometimes those original O rings in the connections start to seep some refrigerant and there is extremely little of it there to lose in the first place.

Once you 'break' the connections it is very difficult to recharge after vacuuming down. While Possible to cut the copper, reconnect with new solder joints, and re-fill via the schrader (sp) connections, getting the amount right is difficult with a little digital scale for the refrigerant, on a moving vessel. And then... the compressors do have a finite life. You might have a model 35 compressor, and they are long-lived, but not immortal.

I removed the old system and installed a new Isotherm system with internal radiator/heat exchanger. I recently patched the hole in the hull where the former 'keel cooler' was located. New unit is just as quiet and AFAIK the amp draw is just as low. There systems have indeed gotten more efficient over the years.
We turn ours on in March (approx) and off when we winterize the boat in November. Nice to have cold drinks anytime we are at the dock or out for a sail.
 
C

CarlN

.
Jan 4, 2009
603
Ketch 55 Bristol, RI
Call Coastal Climate in Maryland for technical support. They are the experts in the US and glad to help over the phone. It's important to replace the "O" rings on the quick connect fittings every five years. The rubber gets old and starts to leak. A spare set was taped to my compressor in a little plastic bag when new. It's a 10 minute job to change these O rings - no refrigeration tools needed. No gas leaks out. Unfortunately, if your refrigerant has already leaked out, replacing the O rings won't help. Coastal Climate can send you new O rings and discuss with you how to recharge these systems if the gas leaked out. Don't let a HVAC tech who is not expert in Frigoboat touch it.

https://www.coastalclimatecontrol.com
 
M

Mike H.

.
Mar 16, 2009
303
Hunter Vision-36 Richmond
Thanks everyone. I'll call Coastal Climate and see what they recommend.
 
Whatfiero1

Whatfiero1

.
Mar 29, 2017
576
Hunter 30t 9805 littlecreek
Ok so r22 and r12 are very similar and use same oil. Ironically r143 the recharge kits they sell at auto parts stores will cross very well. I have friend that dumped direct into his 22 and it works fine. And another friend that evacuated all 22 out vacuum overnight then put 143 in and he can make ice. So worth a shot. Doesn't take much like a shot don't follow gauge that comes with gun
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom