i just purchased a 1981 Watkins PH. The compressor has been mounted, but the wiring and plumbing has not been connected, and the evaorator has not been mounted inside the icebox. Is this a do-it-yourself job if one is fairly handy and mechanically inclined, or, should I have it done "professionally" ??
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Easy to do...
Mounting the compressor was the hard part for me. I had to build a mount for it. The plumbing and wiring went very fast and easy. Make sure you use a large enough guage wire for the distance from the panel to the compressor. Too much voltage drop and the unit won't work right. A little bigger might even be better. Steve
Mounting the compressor was the hard part for me. I had to build a mount for it. The plumbing and wiring went very fast and easy. Make sure you use a large enough guage wire for the distance from the panel to the compressor. Too much voltage drop and the unit won't work right. A little bigger might even be better. Steve
Wiring.
Steve, what do you and others think of NOT going to the panel? How about an inline circuit breaker and directly to the battery? My compressor(new A/B came in the mail yesterday) will be on the wrong side of the boat. Very near the batteries but far from the panel.
Steve, what do you and others think of NOT going to the panel? How about an inline circuit breaker and directly to the battery? My compressor(new A/B came in the mail yesterday) will be on the wrong side of the boat. Very near the batteries but far from the panel.
Common Controls...
Ed, The only arguement I would hav3e against putting in a breaker ner the batteries and the unit is that you would now have a "new" place to look for problems. It most likely would not be a problem for the person that did the install, but for anyone else they would look at the breaker panel only to discover they problem is somewhere else. I have no idea what the codes or standards are on this. Electrically, it would work, but I would still recommend using the breaker panel. Steve
Ed, The only arguement I would hav3e against putting in a breaker ner the batteries and the unit is that you would now have a "new" place to look for problems. It most likely would not be a problem for the person that did the install, but for anyone else they would look at the breaker panel only to discover they problem is somewhere else. I have no idea what the codes or standards are on this. Electrically, it would work, but I would still recommend using the breaker panel. Steve
Compromise?
My Link 2000 is right over the icebox, goes through the bulkhead between the galley and the starboard locker(where the batteries are located). I could mount a small panel with C/B right beside the Link 2000 and label it REFER. A wire to the electrical panel is doable and I do have spare breakers. It is just such a long and hard to access wire run from the compressor in the starboard settee to the port and aft panel. But probably the right way.
My Link 2000 is right over the icebox, goes through the bulkhead between the galley and the starboard locker(where the batteries are located). I could mount a small panel with C/B right beside the Link 2000 and label it REFER. A wire to the electrical panel is doable and I do have spare breakers. It is just such a long and hard to access wire run from the compressor in the starboard settee to the port and aft panel. But probably the right way.
Ed, here's an idea.......
Ed, why don't you put the mini-panel in for the refer as you would like. Then, use a labelmaker, and put a label on your main panel like "refer breaker on stbd bulkhead" or wherever you are mounting it. Maybe also use an mini-panel with an led to make it more obvious. In my boat, the icebox and compressor and panel are to starboard, and the battery bank is to port. The compressor is already mounted, but I have to wire it, plumb it, and mount the evaporator in the icebox.
Ed, why don't you put the mini-panel in for the refer as you would like. Then, use a labelmaker, and put a label on your main panel like "refer breaker on stbd bulkhead" or wherever you are mounting it. Maybe also use an mini-panel with an led to make it more obvious. In my boat, the icebox and compressor and panel are to starboard, and the battery bank is to port. The compressor is already mounted, but I have to wire it, plumb it, and mount the evaporator in the icebox.
Thanks Gene, . . .
for the ideas. But I just thought of another problem. If I wire directly to the battery I will be shortcutting my Link 2000 I think. I would not see the amps to the refer. Maybe from the #4 cable where it attaches to the starter from the main battery switch? Then I could still use the LED panel idea. I'll see what I can pick up in the WM electrical section this weekend.
for the ideas. But I just thought of another problem. If I wire directly to the battery I will be shortcutting my Link 2000 I think. I would not see the amps to the refer. Maybe from the #4 cable where it attaches to the starter from the main battery switch? Then I could still use the LED panel idea. I'll see what I can pick up in the WM electrical section this weekend.
self or pro
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but after being in the industry for many years, I have found that due to changes in the manufacturing process and cheaper materials now being used in the marine refrigeration industry, it is usually best to have the system professionally installed, charged, and tested. These so called pre-charged sytems are usually in need of some service after installation due to human error, faulty components, or mishaps in the manufacturing process. It will save you a lot of headaches in the future, the work will be guaranteed (if done by a reputable company)and there will be no worrys about leaking couplings, poor factory solder joints, non-marine type components deteriorating and many other problems associated with the cost cuts that are always present in any industry. Do yourself a favor and have it done by a pro. The bonus?... You will be supporting the smaller local businessman. Who can argue with that? (again, ONLY IF THEY ARE REPUTABLE!!)
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but after being in the industry for many years, I have found that due to changes in the manufacturing process and cheaper materials now being used in the marine refrigeration industry, it is usually best to have the system professionally installed, charged, and tested. These so called pre-charged sytems are usually in need of some service after installation due to human error, faulty components, or mishaps in the manufacturing process. It will save you a lot of headaches in the future, the work will be guaranteed (if done by a reputable company)and there will be no worrys about leaking couplings, poor factory solder joints, non-marine type components deteriorating and many other problems associated with the cost cuts that are always present in any industry. Do yourself a favor and have it done by a pro. The bonus?... You will be supporting the smaller local businessman. Who can argue with that? (again, ONLY IF THEY ARE REPUTABLE!!)
I certainly will.............
........if I can find one. I am always a supporter of the local (reputable) businessman. I have a problem paying dealerships $65/hr or more to do things poorly. I would rather keep the money in the local community. I do a lot of my own maintainance work, but I don't want to bite off more thabn I can chew.
........if I can find one. I am always a supporter of the local (reputable) businessman. I have a problem paying dealerships $65/hr or more to do things poorly. I would rather keep the money in the local community. I do a lot of my own maintainance work, but I don't want to bite off more thabn I can chew.
Not me.
If I had to pay for these kind of upgrades I would be sailing a Sunfish. I guess those of us without the means should stay off the water. Always thought after working for 40 years that I should be able to sail a nice boat.
If I had to pay for these kind of upgrades I would be sailing a Sunfish. I guess those of us without the means should stay off the water. Always thought after working for 40 years that I should be able to sail a nice boat.
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