h410 owners refrigeration

FrankT

.
Jun 11, 2004
37
Hunter 410 middle river, md
Our H410 has a spill over refrigeration / freezer set up. I'm not happy with the set up and l'm looking to install separate refrigeration compressors for the freezer and the refrigerator. The current AB compressor is located in the starboard settee. My question for H410 owners is if anyone has installed a second compressor and if so where did they locate the unit? Also how difficult was it to run the freon lines from the compressor to the refrig ?
Thanks
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
I'm happy with my system so if you want to ask questions go ahead.

But I read of someone adding a seperate system to their boat and believe they installed the compressor under the stove in that storage space. I bet if you take the stove out running the lines etc. wouldn't be a problem.

I think I read the story here under the 410 model info/reviews in the "upgrade" section.
 
Jun 2, 2004
241
Hunter 410 Charlevoix, MI
I have not added a second compressor but I have replaced mine. I think there is plenty of room under the settee for both compressors. I had to do a major disassembly to get the new lines in and it required cutting and reassembling the refrig lines.
 

FrankT

.
Jun 11, 2004
37
Hunter 410 middle river, md
Don, Bill
Thanks for the quick replies. I've replaced the thermostats, the seals and have the circulating fan. I still have to defrost more frequently than I like and temperature control and redundancy for cruising are other objectives. I will search the upgrades section. Thanks.
 

FrankT

.
Jun 11, 2004
37
Hunter 410 middle river, md
Bill
I replaced the thermostats 'in-kind' ( the old refrig unit had corroded). I purchased the units from West Marine and while the package information is in my file, the product numbers are not displaying the items on the WM website so can't help too much. I do recall that the thermostat for the refrig is different than that for the freezer.
I looked at the digital units and in particular the Coastal MkII units which CTime installed. A lot of folks have good experience with these units but I stayed with the mechanical units on advice from a local tech.
I did install wireless temperature monitors in the freezer and refrig but don't have that info handy. I can get it from the boat on my next visit if you're interested.
 
Jun 2, 2004
241
Hunter 410 Charlevoix, MI
I too replaced the original thermostats with basically identical replacements. I have wondered about digital but not pursued it . I have wireless temperature monitors in both boxes too.
We do not use the primary box as a freezer. Both boxes are set up as refrigerators. We live aboard and have little use for frozen foods but like a lot of cold beverages :--)
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,817
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
l'm looking to install separate refrigeration compressors for the freezer and the refrigerator
I have found that the Hunter's 410, 430 and 450 have basically the same layout of "extras". My 430 has enough space aside the existing unit.

Perhaps you have another choice, and what most landlubber Refrig/Freeze combos have...

A small internal circulation fan with an adjustable louver between Freezer and Refrig box

I have found the problem is there are 2 competing thermostats in mine, air leakage in, and my cold plate is at the bottom.

Cold air doesn't Rise very fast. If I set it too low temp I will freeze beer on upper back shelf.
Here is quick find of rechargeable fan with light even. There are many more...
https://www.amazon.com/COOSA-Portab...-2&keywords=12vdc+rechargeable+fan+with+light

Place something like this near the cold plate and blow upwards or circulate.
Jim...
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
Don, Bill
Thanks for the quick replies. I've replaced the thermostats, the seals and have the circulating fan. I still have to defrost more frequently than I like and temperature control and redundancy for cruising are other objectives. I will search the upgrades section. Thanks.
I don't see adding a seperate unit for the refrigerator instead of the spill over arrangement doing anything to for the frost problem other than that you don't introduce moisture to the freezer plates as often and the refrigerator plates would be less cold so frost up less (maybe).

I'm happy with my system and the only things I've done is replace the condenser fan with a quiet one (can't hear it run when sitting over it now) and I put a small battery recir fan in the frig side to make it more even. But those don't do anything for the frost and I defrost every 3-4 weeks (I completely do it once in a while and sometimes just do at the fan and hole for the spillover system).

I have a electronic thermo for the spill over fan but haven't put it in yet. I also have been considering putting a sheet of plastic or Teflon on the freezer evaporator plate a cross from the spill over holes to replace the ice build up there.

BTW - the last 3 years I've turned my system on in April and not turned it off till Oct.
 
Last edited:
Jun 4, 2004
1,087
Mainship Piliot 34 Punta Gorda
I installed an air cooled unit under the stove for the refrig. It keeps the refrig really cold. I replaced all the seals but still get frost billed up in the refrig but not in the freezer.