Hunter 380 Freezer problems

planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
I found that my refer unit had a blown fuse. Replaced it and popped again,,,disconnected the pump and again it popped so I am assuming my compressor is locked and time for a new one. Intersted in all suggestions and thanks in advance. fyi original unit and had been acting up

Ron
 
planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
Damn,,,really hoping for magic cure,,,so ,,,given that ,,,has anybody replaced and have any suggestions on brand/units ?
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,960
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Does the fuse blow immediately, or after a few minutes of running time, which would indicate a cooling water circulation problem?
 
SG

SG

.
Feb 11, 2017
1,670
J/Boat J/160 Annapolis
Did you by some strange chance find the manual?
Does your Hunter 380 have a Polarmate (Grunert/Dometic) system?
If so, did you check the diagnostic lights pattern:
http://www.tropicalmarineairconditioning.com/sheets/L-2058.pdf
See page 12 - 13
Also look at checklist of what starts before the "breaker blows" (as Capta asked above)
upload_2018-10-6_9-37-59.png


IF (which I don't know) it's a Grunert -- they essentially used the DC, converted (or inverted) it AC, and then powered the unit.

As I vaguely recall (when on an acquaintance's Hunter), do you have a spillover system (i.e., the refrigerator is cooled by a small fan or louver that blows cool air from the freezer area)?

It's possible, I suppose that you have a short in one of the components, other than the compressor. I'd make sure it wasn't that.
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,960
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Another thought, which you did not address, but since this unit has been 'acting up', did you have anyone in to check out the system? Did that person by chance add gas? If he added too much gas, this could also result in your problems.
One of the hardest things to find in the marine field is a competent and honest marine refrigeration tech. After thousands of dollars wasted on techs on half a dozen islands, we now do our own and our system has never worked better.
 
SG

SG

.
Feb 11, 2017
1,670
J/Boat J/160 Annapolis
I think that the Polarmate is a sealed system (I'm not sure that's an option.)
BUT USE THE DIAGNOSTIC LED'S, if you can. They usually will allow you to diagnose the problem.
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

.
Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
I have an air compressor that sometimes locks up. Smack it with a 2x4 and off it goes!
 
planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
Thanks to all,

It is a spillover system. Toploading freezer and fridge with evapcoils in the freezer and a mechanical thermostat.

The acting up was that I was getting ice buildup on the connection points. So I became leery about leaving it on while we were away.

Here is a pic of the compressor and the only info I have on the system
 

Attachments

Last edited:
planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
From what I can gather this is an Adler- Barbour unit and the icing at the connections is common and fixed with insulation. I'm going to try the "handy helper" (2x4). If it still pops instantly, I think my next step will be to pull the junction box. Maybe something is going on there if ice melt got to it. You can see it next to lines on the right (terrible location for access and I will probably splice some wires and move it to the other side)

If that doesn't do it I guess my only option is to search for somebody here in Dallas that knows these systems and maybe I can mate up a newer high efficiency compressor to the existing evaporator, pull a vacuum and recharge.

Fortunately, the weather is cooling off and I am into my fall boat maintenance for the next few weeks
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

.
Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
I would not put a new compressor with an old evap. The old evap probly has contaminants that you do not want in a new compressor. If you end up replacing, then do the whole system.
 
jlp0217

jlp0217

.
Jun 27, 2014
117
Jeanneau Moorings International 50 Everett
I would not expect a locked compressor to trip the breaker. I would expect the motor to: 1. hum, 2. get hot, and 3. thermal protection to kick in and cut power to the motor. All these take some time, and will not draw much more current than the motor does while running, unless it get hot enough to melt something. Most motors have some sort of built in thermal protection. I think you have a short in the wiring or controller or a bad breaker.
 
Ken Cross

Ken Cross

.
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
jlp0217 said:
I would not expect a locked compressor to trip the breaker. I would expect the motor to: 1. hum, 2. get hot, and 3. thermal protection to kick in and cut power to the motor. All these take some time, and will not draw much more current than the motor does while running, unless it get hot enough to melt something. Most motors have some sort of built in thermal protection. I think you have a short in the wiring or controller or a bad breaker.
Click to expand
Easy enough to check. Just disconnect (or cut) a wire going to the compressor. If it still trips, the problem is wiring or control circuit. If not, it's the compressor.

Ken
 
planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
With schedules, weather, holidays, and parties have not been able to get back out with enough time to investigate. I am hoping to get a nice day temp wise and just head out to spend the day playing on the boat. I'll open up the Laz and start checking everything with my meter and isolate all the components. Thanks to all and Merry Christmas
 
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planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
Hello again all!!! Well with everything else going on in life I am finally able to get back to serious boating. Over time everybody I talked too said they would bet on the control module. At the miami boat show i got a card on a guy that has them and put the card where I wouldn't lose it. Nuff said . Anybody know where I might get one?
 
planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
SG said:
Did you by some strange chance find the manual?
Does your Hunter 380 have a Polarmate (Grunert/Dometic) system?
If so, did you check the diagnostic lights pattern:
http://www.tropicalmarineairconditioning.com/sheets/L-2058.pdf
See page 12 - 13
Also look at checklist of what starts before the "breaker blows" (as Capta asked above)
View attachment 157147

IF (which I don't know) it's a Grunert -- they essentially used the DC, converted (or inverted) it AC, and then powered the unit.

As I vaguely recall (when on an acquaintance's Hunter), do you have a spillover system (i.e., the refrigerator is cooled by a small fan or louver that blows cool air from the freezer area)?

It's possible, I suppose that you have a short in one of the components, other than the compressor. I'd make sure it wasn't that.
Click to expand
It is a Grunert PMWC12-134. No manual and still looking for one. Fuse blows instantly.

IF (which I don't know) it's a Grunert -- they essentially used the DC, converted (or inverted) it AC, and then powered the unit.
** This is why I haven't tried to take 12vdc directly to the compressor yet like somebody else suggested. Trying to find a guy I met in Fla who has the control modules.

Isolated the pump and its good, ohmed out the stat and that wiring is clean.
 
planoron

planoron

.
May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
OK!! found it! I'll post some pics for later queries. I was finally able to finagle and cut the wires going to the controller easy reconnect. the location was B---H!! I will be extending the wiring to another location which will allow quick access. The controller board is toast, discolored and you can see tackiness on components. Looking now to be able to ohm out the compressor (4 Pin). its a Danfoss controller so no biggy getting replacement.,
 
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