Refridgeration Seawater Control

[jdknutson]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the Refridgerator Switch on the breaker panel and the Seawater Control switch on the wall is?
I understand one is a water pump. But are you supposed to put both switches on at the same time? The switch alone on the panel will cool both the freezer and refridgerator. Should the water pump be on to keep it from overheating?

 

[Alex Dare]

both on

I believe you have an Adler Barbour "Super Cold Machine" system on your boat. The "Super" means it has a water cooled rather than just air cooled coil. Both switches should be left on for proper operation. It's a good system but the little circulator pumps do fail from time to time.

 

[Allan Frey]

I have a 376.

The refrig/freezer can be used in an air cooled mode or in a water cooled mode. The default is air cooled; when you throw the breaker switch it is in air cooled mode. If it is warm in the boat, there is not enough differential in temperature at the coils for the refrig to work effectively. Then you throw the wall switch on, in addition, to add water cooling. Just make sure that when you turn on the wall switch that water comes out of the hull on the starboard side at the beam. The pump sometimes loses its prime and you have to reprime it to get the water circulating and not burn out the pump.

Allan