General Questions

[Frank Walker]

Phil,I have a 10 year old model SCM-10 Cold Machine. Recently I upgraded my electrical system and am now able to accurately measure the current draw to the condenser unit. My unit draws 10 to 12 amps depending on battery voltage and a few other variables. The nameplate on the compressor says 7.5 amps. Am I about to be in the market for a new machine or is this within the normal expected range. The unit is on continiously (powered up but cycling)and cools fine.I have the water cooling option which I use when away from the dock. When operating in hot ambient conditions does using the water source reduce the evaporator temperature or what. The standard line is it reduces the running time but there is more to the story than this.Last what is the best way to determine the proper charge when adding R12. My system leaked down once while I had the condenser out for a little TLC and I have never been quite sure if I recharged to the correct levelThanks Frank in Florida

 

[Phil Williams]

Old SuperColdMachine

Your compressor is getting to the end of its life. The compressor on your unit is of a different style than what is used to today. Yours has brushes in the compressor and as they wear out the amperage goes up. Your unit also has more heat removing capability, when new, than the compressors of today.The water cooling jacket removes the condenser heat from the boat. The normal maner of doing this is by using air blown over the coils. When using water to cool the condenser you save energy as the temperature difference between the water and the air blown over the coils is less. Water cooling does not allow the box temperature to go lower, it allows the gas pressure to be lower by having lower condensing temperature which in turn lowers the amperage draw on the compressor.Contact the Adler/Barbour customercare department and they can send you a charging table which will help you to determine if your system is correctly charged. Telephone 860-664-4906, e-mail kenyoncustomercare@kenyonmarine.com