Has anyone had a problem with the lines between the compressor and the cold box sweating? We have a 1999 H340 and ice forms on the insulated lines. When the ice melts, it produces a fair amount of moisture which collects in the compartment. Also, the compressor seems to runs constantly even when the thermostat is set low. We would be interested in hearing if others have had this or a similar problem, and what can be done to eliminate the sweating problem as well as the lack of cycling.
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Not cycling
The lines sweating can be fixed by placing some pipe insulation material over the lines. This material can be purchased from your local home supply store or hardware store. The white evaporator in the ice box should be freezing and have a thin layer of frost around it. If this is not the case then the system is not performing properly. How cold is your ice box? Is the food staying cold enough? What setting do you have your thermostat set on? The compressor used on these refrigeration systems is so quite that it is difficult to know when the unit is on unless you have a meter showing amperage draw. You can send your answers to the above questions directly to me at; pwilliams@waecoadlerbarbour.com Phil Williams
The lines sweating can be fixed by placing some pipe insulation material over the lines. This material can be purchased from your local home supply store or hardware store. The white evaporator in the ice box should be freezing and have a thin layer of frost around it. If this is not the case then the system is not performing properly. How cold is your ice box? Is the food staying cold enough? What setting do you have your thermostat set on? The compressor used on these refrigeration systems is so quite that it is difficult to know when the unit is on unless you have a meter showing amperage draw. You can send your answers to the above questions directly to me at; pwilliams@waecoadlerbarbour.com Phil Williams
refrig
I bought a 99 380 and had nothing but problems with the refrig. I contacted a well known refrigeration person here in Alameda, CA. I had a water cooled only refrig. He spottted two problems. 1. The unit should be air/water cooled. 2. The compresser being placed under the salon seats had no ventilation. He replaced my unit (at no cost to me) with a air/water cooled unit and I installed a vent so that air could circulate. This solved the entire problem and the unit worked great. Since then I have moved up to a 460 which is only water cooled. The unit on my 460 works great. It has a seperate refrig/freezer and cycles very seldom. JR
I bought a 99 380 and had nothing but problems with the refrig. I contacted a well known refrigeration person here in Alameda, CA. I had a water cooled only refrig. He spottted two problems. 1. The unit should be air/water cooled. 2. The compresser being placed under the salon seats had no ventilation. He replaced my unit (at no cost to me) with a air/water cooled unit and I installed a vent so that air could circulate. This solved the entire problem and the unit worked great. Since then I have moved up to a 460 which is only water cooled. The unit on my 460 works great. It has a seperate refrig/freezer and cycles very seldom. JR
Refrigeration Ventilation
The compressor unit should have two vents, one for the air to exit and one for the air to enter and the cross sectional area is fairly large. On our H-35 with an Adler/Barbour I have a fairly large louvered vent for the exit air and rely on "leakage" from all the cabinetry, including the bilge, for the supply air, and this works very well. If there is an inadequate supply air source then the system will be wasting energy as well as putting an additional load on the system. When looking at used boats it's apparent that many owners never clean their compressors which is another item that will ruin efficiency and waste energy. Even small amounts of dust really reduces efficiency therefore it is very important that the fins be cleaned well and regularly to keep the refrigeration unit running properly and at peak efficiency. Our box is over 13 cubic feet and we've cooled it with effectively and efficiently with the standard Adler/Barbour now for over eight years. The next project is to add is a light in the box.
The compressor unit should have two vents, one for the air to exit and one for the air to enter and the cross sectional area is fairly large. On our H-35 with an Adler/Barbour I have a fairly large louvered vent for the exit air and rely on "leakage" from all the cabinetry, including the bilge, for the supply air, and this works very well. If there is an inadequate supply air source then the system will be wasting energy as well as putting an additional load on the system. When looking at used boats it's apparent that many owners never clean their compressors which is another item that will ruin efficiency and waste energy. Even small amounts of dust really reduces efficiency therefore it is very important that the fins be cleaned well and regularly to keep the refrigeration unit running properly and at peak efficiency. Our box is over 13 cubic feet and we've cooled it with effectively and efficiently with the standard Adler/Barbour now for over eight years. The next project is to add is a light in the box.
Low Freon Level will do that
Nobody mentioned that the freon level of the system could be low. When the freon first goes low, the lines freeze up and will not chill the evaporator * the part inside the fridge). Sounds to me that your system may need a slight topping off of the R-12. Good luck. Jack Beneteau 370 (certified automotive technician for over 23 years)
Nobody mentioned that the freon level of the system could be low. When the freon first goes low, the lines freeze up and will not chill the evaporator * the part inside the fridge). Sounds to me that your system may need a slight topping off of the R-12. Good luck. Jack Beneteau 370 (certified automotive technician for over 23 years)
Second to Jack's Suggestion..
..just had to do exactly the same thing as the prior poster noted...add freon. I had a slightly loose connection that caused a loss and resulted in the condition you describe. You will likely have to have a technician do so, however. Rick D.
..just had to do exactly the same thing as the prior poster noted...add freon. I had a slightly loose connection that caused a loss and resulted in the condition you describe. You will likely have to have a technician do so, however. Rick D.
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