Hunter refrigerator

[mikej21]

Last season when I had my 2005 Hunter 33 pulled for winter storage the refrigerator was working great. This April when the boat was launched everything was great except the refrigerator. It has power just does not get cold... Yeah, I know freon. However, If I add freon without having the leak found and fixed; I am just spinning my wheels because it will leak out again. My marina feels I should replace it. Although it looks just like any small refrigerator that someone would think costs up to $200 it's not. Boat refrigerators are a fortune for what they are.
They start online for about $800 and go higher. So if I purchase one with installation through the marina I am guessing this will cost in the end 1250 - 1500.

So, my question is has anyone every lost their freon and had it repaired? How difficult was this and approximate cost to do?

Thank you

Mike J - Ripple

 

[KD3PC]

An AC guy should be able to check for leaks and recharge. There is merit to the idea of a 10 year old unit...may not be worth it to repair.

 

[seabair]

Mike - it is actually rare for the compressor to fail on a marine refrigerator. This component is generally a real work horse. It is equally rare to lose coolant - when this happens it usually occurs early in the life of the unit and is due to improper "welds" or connections in the tubing. Since your unit is 10 years old, I doubt if it is either a coolant or compressor issue. To check - is the compressor running continuously, and simply not cooling? If the compressor is not running it is probably a defective thermostat (about $40 and simple to replace), or the circuit board ($150-300) which is in the back of the refrigerator immediately next to the compressor.

 

[carbonrobot]

Agree with seabair on this one. I used to be a hvac service tech. Small refrigerators will rarely fail compressors or have leaks. The other hard part is the also rarely have service ports installed, so can't be easily connected for servicing of the gas.

 

[Arctic Pro]

Hello!
I recently lost my freon on a NovaKool in my Hunter 34. Reason? Stupidity. I tried to chip off ice build-up from the freezer unit which had built up due to the door being open. The hi-tech tool I was using (a screwdriver) pierced the loop built into the freezer box.

A marine tech came to the boat (in the water) at my marina, we had to remove the unit (not easy) and carry it to his work-van in the parking lot. 2.5 hours later (much of that taken up by a pressure loss test).

Cost: A new evaporator (freezer box) was delivered for $165.00
Labour (not including mine) $450.00

I contemplated getting a residential 110V bar fridge hooked up to my inverter. Probably more robust than the marine one, and 1/3 the cost. Would have been cheaper to replace the NovaKool, than fix it.

 

[Scott B]

I had mine out just couple weeks ago. There's a total of 6 screws in the face trim and it slides out. I run mine continuously from spring launch to fall haul-out ( since 2007 ) and not had any issues. I'd look into the above as far as fixing before going full out replacement.

 

[whatfiero]

Check all connections at compressor the compressor has a danfoss controler mounted to side of compressor watch penguin YouTube videos check voltage at unit controler shuts down at voltage less than 11.9 volt corroded terminerals will do that there is also an led test port on controler that will self diagnose unit watch videos

 

[aoversier]

What kind of unit is it ? (brand name) I installed a Adler Barbour unit on my 1986 Hunter 34 which had no refrigeration when I bought it. I have found it to be both reliable and easy to have serviced. Yes. don't try to "chip" the ice with a ice pick or knife. Simply turn the unit off long enough for the ice to be easily fall off or be removed by hand. I live aboard and don't even have to remove all the food for this procedure. This is a 12 Volt system.

 

[Jake N Eggs]

I had a problem with my fridge a couple of years ago. I pulled the fridge forward and found that the coil cooling fan had seized up. The compressor was running but not cooling the fridge. I removed the fan and peeled the protective sticker off the fan to access the bearings. I lubricated the bearings and got the fan turning. No problems after that. I have had to shut it down and let it defrost when the temperature outside was stinking hot because I had the setting on the fridge too low. Did I mention that I like my beer cold.

Good luck.

 

[Benny17441]

I like Seabair explanation, I could not have said it better in such few words. Before you decide to replace the unit call a marine refrigeration tech to give you a diagnostic and repair estimate.

 

[mikej21]

Everyone thank you so much for your responses and insight to my issue. I will try to let you know how I get this resolved.

 

[40 South]

I had a similar problem with the built in Engel refrigerator on my 1986 Hunter 40. It would run on 12V and 240V but not get cold. I took it out with the intention of getting an expert to look at it. I thought refrigerant had escaped. During the process of fitting a new 240v plug to the lead and testing it started to get cold again. The solution…. take it out, shake it up a bit, test, put it back and away you go! There was actually nothing wrong with it!

 

[Sea Phanthom]

Since there is very little insulation in the refrigerator compartment anyway I am considering replacing the refrigeration unit with a small ice maker been getting a Yeti to store ice and perishables I welcome our thoughts