If you are having trouble with your boat’s refrigeration unit, do not call a mechanic. In most cases you can repair it yourself. The most common boat 12 or 24 volt refrigerator compressors are made by Danfoss. These compressors are used by Adler Barbour, Frigoboat, Grunert, Waeco, EZ Kold, Technautics, SeaFrost, Isotherm and several other companies. On Danfoss BD compressors manufactured before 1996 simple tests without tools can be done to isolate the trouble which will allow the boat operator or anyone onboard to correct 90% of possible problems. But if assistance is needed it is available free at http//www.kollmann-marine.com.
After 1995 only Danfoss BD 35 and BD50 energy efficient compressors were produced. One feature on all these new BD compressors is their ability to electronically advise an operator of the location of a problem. A troubleshooting micro processor similar to an automobile’s computer warning light can be installed that will flash a code that will indicate what the problem is. On automobiles an expensive test meter is required to read troubleshooting information, but on BD compressors a simple LED connected to the Danfoss control unit flashes a code. By counting the number of troubleshooting LED code flashes, repeated every four seconds, the item causing the problem will be defined.
There are five different LED signals. They are listed below.:
1.One flash, Boat wiring or battery voltage low,
2. Two flashes fan drawing more than ½ amp.
3. Three flashes, Units amperage too high, someone has tampered with refrigerant.
4. Four flashes, compressor under heavy starting load and can not reach 1850 rpm control speed in time.
5. Five flashes, compressor running under heavy load and module overheating.
I still provide free refrigeration help on my forum or by email. I can also help with free 3 and 4 pin Control module testing..
Richard Kollmann
Richard@kollmann-marine.com
After 1995 only Danfoss BD 35 and BD50 energy efficient compressors were produced. One feature on all these new BD compressors is their ability to electronically advise an operator of the location of a problem. A troubleshooting micro processor similar to an automobile’s computer warning light can be installed that will flash a code that will indicate what the problem is. On automobiles an expensive test meter is required to read troubleshooting information, but on BD compressors a simple LED connected to the Danfoss control unit flashes a code. By counting the number of troubleshooting LED code flashes, repeated every four seconds, the item causing the problem will be defined.
There are five different LED signals. They are listed below.:
1.One flash, Boat wiring or battery voltage low,
2. Two flashes fan drawing more than ½ amp.
3. Three flashes, Units amperage too high, someone has tampered with refrigerant.
4. Four flashes, compressor under heavy starting load and can not reach 1850 rpm control speed in time.
5. Five flashes, compressor running under heavy load and module overheating.
I still provide free refrigeration help on my forum or by email. I can also help with free 3 and 4 pin Control module testing..
Richard Kollmann
Richard@kollmann-marine.com
