Newer Hunter 33 Refrigerator Operation

[Steve Dion]

Have you had the dealer check the freon (coolant gas) level checked. If it is too high or too low it will NOT work properly.

 

[Scott B]

Have you had the dealer check the freon (coolant gas) level checked. If it is too high or too low it will NOT work properly.

Yes he's had the frig checked.

Well, we have had the refrigerator checked by the manufacture. no problems. We carry two 31's for house. We normally run both the freezer and refrigerator. The freezer runs like a champ. It looks like the frig takes about 3.5 amps. I have checked the charging system and the batteries, no problems there. We usually consume about 30-35% of the battery per day and unless I can charge we are exhausted in two days or so. It takes quite awhile to recharge the batteries. I have added insulation between the motor and the fridge. Added a small fan behind the fridge to help keep air over the condenser coils. We do run the fan when the motor is running. That does seem to help. We have started putting an ice block in and shutting it down at night. I cannot think of anything further that I can do. Very frustrating!!!!!!

Bottom line is everything is operating as would be expected. The frig is a front load frig. Freezer is top load. You cannot run both frig and freezer for two days on a 260 ah house bank without running the batteries down to a point that the frig stops running. If he's using 30-35% of the house bank in one day, he needs to recharge. The stock alt. takes a long time to charge up the batteries to 80%. I only run the frig. for that very reason and use a cooler with ice blocks for beer etc.

 

[J Hunter]

Just to clarify, because it sounds like Scott's take on this is best explaining your difficulty, Nodak, does your frig have a low voltage cut out and if so is it shutting down on that before it warms up, or does the compressor just stay on as it warms? Have you inquired with the frig manufacturer whether the cooling capacity will vary significantly as the voltage changes within the acceptable operating range?

 

[Nodak7]

J. The alternator does keep up with the fridge and charging the batteries. The Fridge was sent back to the Manufacturer and they stated that there were no problems found with it.

As mentioned above I feel like I have about run out of options. Not certain what to do next.

 

[Nodak7]

Not certain about a low voltage cut off. The compressor just seems to fall behind and runs and runs. The compressor gets so warm that it heats the counter top.

 

[Steve Dion]

I know that you had the compressor checked, but anyone check the coolant/oil level? We had this problem on our car. It was "over-charged" from the factory.

I would make this a dealer/hunter/mfg issue and see what they will do to resolve it.

 

[Scott B]

The compressor just seems to fall behind and runs and runs.

That is the first time you've mentioned that. Does the fridge cycle on and off or constatntly run or on more than usual? That would be a problem with the fridge. You should time the cycling and let the mfg. / Hunter know.

 

[Nodak7]

Steve, I am not certain what the manufacturer checked other that it "operated". It did not look as if any levels where checked. I have never timed the cycles other than I hear it (especially at night) all the time when we are out.

The Dealer (Crows Nest Yachts, Mnpls) has been a lot of help and very supportive. I have had them in the loop since the start. But resolution just seems to be taking a long time.

 

[Scott B]

I would start by timing the cycle in 1 or 2 hours. That would go a long way to proving it is working or not. Having concrete figure will support your case.

 

[Nodak7]

I found out that Hunter has agreed to replace the refrigerator.