Refrigeration Temp not regulating

[lnikl]

On our recent trip we found that our refrigeration unit would not cycle to keep the temperature "right". It ran continuously even though I had turned it down all the way, including trying the "stop" setting. Not looking for sympathy but all my beer was frozen solid :cry:

The refrigeration unit is an Adler Barbour on a 1983 Hunter 34. Presumably it is the original that came with the boat. Clearly, it continues to work well -- too well.

Is this likely to be a simple problem of a malfunctioning thermostat control (presumably a fairly easy swap for new) or is there something more complicated that I should be concerned about. I would appreciate hearing any experience you may have.

 

[kloudie1]

Sounds like a bad thermostat or a short in the wires between the thermostat and the control unit. Since thermostat is a simple "on/off" you can troubleshoot it by (power off first) removing the wires at the control box and noting the resistance as someone turns the knob from off/full hot to full cold.. Should be open at first then click to a short with a little rotation of the knob. Look carefully at the connectors to be sure that there is no short at the control unit. Thermostats do fail. but not really that often.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

If you are going to replace the thermostat I would look at the digital versions sold on ebay or Amazon.com.
Bob

http://www.amazon.com/Amerlight-TM-...=8-16&keywords=digital+temperature+controller

 

[Don Lucas]

If you are going to replace the thermostat I would look at the digital versions sold on ebay or Amazon.com.
Bob

http://www.amazon.com/Amerlight-TM-...=8-16&keywords=digital+temperature+controller

I wouldn't as that just adds complexity.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I wouldn't as that just adds complexity.

Don, I'm not sure why you would think that. They are both just thermostats. I intend to replace my mechanical thermostat with one of the electronic ones I referenced. At $18 I think it is a great solution.

I replaced my mechanical one with another mechanical one just after we bought our boat ($68). After a couple of weeks of adjusting it cycles the fridge temperature between 32* and 40*. I complained to the vendor where I purchased it because of the excessive hysteresis. He explained these mechanical controls are designed to measure temperature of a metal plate, not the air temperature as they used in our fridge using a spill over fan. He said it was working as designed. It was a shop that specialized in repairs to boat refrigeration systems in Miami, so I believed his explanation.

I think this electronic unit is a big improvement over the original equipment and only about 1/3 the cost. The set up and adjustment should be easier and faster with a digital readout of the set temperature. Several sailors on this forum have installed them and as far as I know are quite happy with the improvement.


Regards, Bob

 

[Don Lucas]

I think this electronic unit is a big improvement over the original equipment and only about 1/3 the cost. The set up and adjustment should be easier and faster with a digital readout of the set temperature. Several sailors on this forum have installed them and as far as I know are quite happy with the improvement.


Regards, Bob

I have considered one in the past. But I don't know what "improvement" one could be, it is just a thermostat. The mechanical regular version is a nice basic thing and I don't see how replacing it with something more complex is an improvement. I read on an expert site when he considers it a one of the big mistakes installing a electronic unit.

So, set it and forget it!