I purchased my 376 in the spring of 1998. When I launch this spring, I will begin my 3rd. year with this boat. From the start, the refeigeration unit (compressor) has run almost continously. The factory rep. has even been on the boat to change the seals. All of the little things that have been done, has not change the situation much. Hunter and TBM have the records of all the work that has been done to date. The system cools, but in order to keep it cool, it must keep running. Something is wrong with the unit. I need help. I really don't want to go through anyother season with this same problem. I can't keep runnng the engine to keep the batt. charged up when we are out at anchor or on a ball. Neil Hunt nhunt@A1access.net
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Jay Hill
Can you list the little things?
Can you tell us everything that has been done to the unit so far? Might give us an idea of what to suggest. Until then, is the thermostat unit connected to the compressor via tube or wire? In either case, check for kinks, breaks, and connections from thermostat to compressor. You can replace parts 'til you're blue in the face and without success but if they're not connected sufficiently, the compressor will always run. (I'm sure thermostat is on your list of replaced parts?)
Can you tell us everything that has been done to the unit so far? Might give us an idea of what to suggest. Until then, is the thermostat unit connected to the compressor via tube or wire? In either case, check for kinks, breaks, and connections from thermostat to compressor. You can replace parts 'til you're blue in the face and without success but if they're not connected sufficiently, the compressor will always run. (I'm sure thermostat is on your list of replaced parts?)
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Ralph Johnstone
Insualtion ? ? ?
If the compressor is functioning properly and, as you say, things are not freezing solid .......... any chance the box is suffering from a lack of insulation or up against a hot engine compartment ? ?
If the compressor is functioning properly and, as you say, things are not freezing solid .......... any chance the box is suffering from a lack of insulation or up against a hot engine compartment ? ?
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Les Blackwell
A bit of my experienceN
Neil I have a new H380 which appears to have the same type of refrigeration. A Freezer connected to a refrigerator? Anyway, I have been to hell and back getting ours to run properly and it isn't quite right yet. I started like you by having it run most of the time. It ran so much that people on the docks and neighbor boaters called the port (and the Dealer in Seattle) to say that my boat was sinking because the bilge pump was working all the time. It wasn't the bilge pump but the refrigeration unit. If you have water cooled unit like I do and it doesn't seem to make much difference as to the brand, you have to have a good seal on your lids. If the seal material is poor, you get air leaking in which will produce moisture that freezes. (I'm assuming that Hunter did at least as good a job on insulation for you as they did on mine) We have a small fan to blow the air into the refrig side. What I have found out that this causes some suction on the freezer side which draws in the warm air. SeaFreez, a manufacturer in Bellingham,WA, is getting rid of the fan and setting up flow over holes to the refrig. I'll get rid of one thrermostat and let the freezer do the cooling for both units. Once done, I'll take pictures so that everyone can see. So far with SeaFreez's help we have got the unit to not run very much at all, but the top lids had to be re-aligned and new gasketing material put in. We're still not happy with the gasketing but it is working. Oh, yes, be sure the drain plug is in tightly at the bottom, otherwise the cold air leaks out. I did this for several weeks before I realized what the hell was going on. Very frustrating when I can be so stupid. Summary: we have cut back alot on the running of the cooling unit which use to run almost all the time. Les
Neil I have a new H380 which appears to have the same type of refrigeration. A Freezer connected to a refrigerator? Anyway, I have been to hell and back getting ours to run properly and it isn't quite right yet. I started like you by having it run most of the time. It ran so much that people on the docks and neighbor boaters called the port (and the Dealer in Seattle) to say that my boat was sinking because the bilge pump was working all the time. It wasn't the bilge pump but the refrigeration unit. If you have water cooled unit like I do and it doesn't seem to make much difference as to the brand, you have to have a good seal on your lids. If the seal material is poor, you get air leaking in which will produce moisture that freezes. (I'm assuming that Hunter did at least as good a job on insulation for you as they did on mine) We have a small fan to blow the air into the refrig side. What I have found out that this causes some suction on the freezer side which draws in the warm air. SeaFreez, a manufacturer in Bellingham,WA, is getting rid of the fan and setting up flow over holes to the refrig. I'll get rid of one thrermostat and let the freezer do the cooling for both units. Once done, I'll take pictures so that everyone can see. So far with SeaFreez's help we have got the unit to not run very much at all, but the top lids had to be re-aligned and new gasketing material put in. We're still not happy with the gasketing but it is working. Oh, yes, be sure the drain plug is in tightly at the bottom, otherwise the cold air leaks out. I did this for several weeks before I realized what the hell was going on. Very frustrating when I can be so stupid. Summary: we have cut back alot on the running of the cooling unit which use to run almost all the time. Les
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gary
insulation
on my catalina 400 they forgot to insulate the box. this caused the frig and freexer to run all the time. gary
on my catalina 400 they forgot to insulate the box. this caused the frig and freexer to run all the time. gary
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Phil Williams
What to look for.
A compressor unit will run continually for many reasons. 1. The thermostat is not working properly and stays in the run position. 2. The system has a refrigerant leak and will not cool properly thus making the compressor run continously. 3. There is too much warm air coming into the box to allow the unit to bring the box temperature down to the thermostat setting to shut off. Check the thermostat and see if it will turn the compressor off by rotating it from stop to stop. Does the white evaporator have frost covering it? Is so about how much is covered with frost and how thick? This will help to isolate the problems.
A compressor unit will run continually for many reasons. 1. The thermostat is not working properly and stays in the run position. 2. The system has a refrigerant leak and will not cool properly thus making the compressor run continously. 3. There is too much warm air coming into the box to allow the unit to bring the box temperature down to the thermostat setting to shut off. Check the thermostat and see if it will turn the compressor off by rotating it from stop to stop. Does the white evaporator have frost covering it? Is so about how much is covered with frost and how thick? This will help to isolate the problems.
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E. Neil Hunt
Thanks for all your replies. Just to let you know all that has been done, here we go. ck'ed unit for leaks (2) recharged unit (1) Dan from the factor came up and installed new gaskets all around. Replaced thermostat on fridge side. Replaced thermostat on freezer side. Gave neighbor a beer to make up for the unit pumping water all the time. Good neighbor's, that worked. Spring is right around the corner, so that will give us another season to work the problems out. There must be a way to do that!!! Thanks for all your replies. Neil Hunt
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Paul Imirie
Freezer runs and freezes
I have a new 376,(had been in dealer stock since 99). The refeer/freezer runs nonstop. Everyting freezes and I can't get it to stop. Both thermostats are set at their lowest settings. The boat is berthed in Mexico until April, so I can't get it to the dealers until then. Anyone have any suggestions. Paul I
I have a new 376,(had been in dealer stock since 99). The refeer/freezer runs nonstop. Everyting freezes and I can't get it to stop. Both thermostats are set at their lowest settings. The boat is berthed in Mexico until April, so I can't get it to the dealers until then. Anyone have any suggestions. Paul I
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Mickey McHugh
If too COLD or NOT
Two things: First to Paul Imirie of Long Beach, During commissioning of my H40.5 on both the freezer and the frig, the dealer forgot to place the thermostat sensor bulb down in the tube below the cold plate. It was just coiled around in the top of turning them both into SUPER freezers. Soda cans were EXPLODING! Once moved, no problems. If it's installed properly, it needs replacement. Second, I was on a 410 yesterday that had courtesy lights in both the frig and freezer. He had a bad switch and the frig light would not turn off. It had been that way for a year and he always thought the frig ran too much. I'll let you know if fixing the switch helps, but I sure it will. Also, on air cooled units like mine on a H40.5 check the condenser coil fins on a regular basis. They dust up very quickly which makes them run a little longer. It's a pain because they are inside the dinette seat but just remove the whole seat top (lots of screws) to gain good access. While there, clean everything else in the locker (spring in just around the corner).
Two things: First to Paul Imirie of Long Beach, During commissioning of my H40.5 on both the freezer and the frig, the dealer forgot to place the thermostat sensor bulb down in the tube below the cold plate. It was just coiled around in the top of turning them both into SUPER freezers. Soda cans were EXPLODING! Once moved, no problems. If it's installed properly, it needs replacement. Second, I was on a 410 yesterday that had courtesy lights in both the frig and freezer. He had a bad switch and the frig light would not turn off. It had been that way for a year and he always thought the frig ran too much. I'll let you know if fixing the switch helps, but I sure it will. Also, on air cooled units like mine on a H40.5 check the condenser coil fins on a regular basis. They dust up very quickly which makes them run a little longer. It's a pain because they are inside the dinette seat but just remove the whole seat top (lots of screws) to gain good access. While there, clean everything else in the locker (spring in just around the corner).
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Paul Imirie
Refer runs
Mickey, Thanks, I will give the thermostat sensor bulb a look. I just got back tonight from the boat. Another 376 owner there said that he had the same problems and called the manufacture. He was told to shut off the water pump. I have done that and all seems to be working well. Paul I
Mickey, Thanks, I will give the thermostat sensor bulb a look. I just got back tonight from the boat. Another 376 owner there said that he had the same problems and called the manufacture. He was told to shut off the water pump. I have done that and all seems to be working well. Paul I
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Bryce Grefe
refer problems
I have a 410 with the same problems. Freezer doesn't freeze and both boxes are the same temp +/- a couple of degrees. Late last summer, with water temps around 70 degrees F the freezer wouldn't get below 32F. Marine Air has extended the warranty on my refer until they can determine the problem? Of course thats this spring when I want to sail and not fix the refer. I've since contacted Ocean Options, the marine air rep in New England, and talked to Mike Bowden the President. He indicated the poor design implementation on the 410, & I assume other newer models. He also indicated the importance of plugging the drain hole, closing off the fan and air vent between the refer and freezer. However, he also indicated the best fix is to have two separate compressor units, one for freezer and one for fridge. He is going to be a the Hunter factory on 2/23/00 to further discuss this problem and see what Hunter suggests and/or is willing to do. I hope to hear from him by weeks end and will post his recommendations/solutions on this forum. Bryce Grefe S/V Spellbinder
I have a 410 with the same problems. Freezer doesn't freeze and both boxes are the same temp +/- a couple of degrees. Late last summer, with water temps around 70 degrees F the freezer wouldn't get below 32F. Marine Air has extended the warranty on my refer until they can determine the problem? Of course thats this spring when I want to sail and not fix the refer. I've since contacted Ocean Options, the marine air rep in New England, and talked to Mike Bowden the President. He indicated the poor design implementation on the 410, & I assume other newer models. He also indicated the importance of plugging the drain hole, closing off the fan and air vent between the refer and freezer. However, he also indicated the best fix is to have two separate compressor units, one for freezer and one for fridge. He is going to be a the Hunter factory on 2/23/00 to further discuss this problem and see what Hunter suggests and/or is willing to do. I hope to hear from him by weeks end and will post his recommendations/solutions on this forum. Bryce Grefe S/V Spellbinder
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