Refrigerator - Freezer

[Capt Steve]

I have a 1996 40.5 - the refrigerator / freezer just does not get it done. Factory installed original boxes but units replaced after lightening strike. We've had units serviced but still not cooling and freezing like they should - any suggestions

 

[Guest]

Refrigeration

The original freezer and refrigerator on our 1991 P42 still perform. I keep them on all the time as we cruise year around. When we first purchased Belle-Vie in 2002 the freezer would not get cold enough to freeze water for ice cubes. The yard tech determined that it was low on freon so he charged the system and since then it has worked. Then a year later the refrigerator control module died, which caused the system to try and cycle on but not run. I purchased a replacement from AB, installed it myself (plug and play) and it has run ever since.

If you have gone to the expense and trouble of replacing the systems, having them serviced and they still not perform, then I would say that responsibility falls on the outfit that did the work for you under warranty. If you did all the work, then it is time to bring in professionals to diagnose and fix the system, IMHO.

Terry Cox

 

[Capt Steve]

Terry - thank you for taking the time to respond. The service department at Eagle Point Marina at Lake Lewisville in Texas replaced the units - they also claimed to have checked the units out and they recently charged us for adding freon too. We're pretty frustrated - looking at replacing the boxes with 120volt units and just using them when in the slip.

 

[Guest]

Reefer

It depends on your boating plans as to whether an upgrade to 120V AC is worth the investment. If it were my boat and assuming that the work that Eagle Point Marina did for you came with some sort of warranty (90 day, one year, etc.) I would hold them to their word.

I lived near you for ten years (Euless 87-97) and my son still lives there. I know what your boating summers are like. Around here most service companies stand by their work, otherwise, word travels fast among the boating community, which they can ill afford a bad reputation.

At some point when you sell your boat, having an AC reefer system might affect the boat's value. I know that had our current boat been equipped with AC units, I would have looked elsewhere for one with DC.

Some service companies might try and blow you off. To that I say I know lots of boaters and I will go out of my way to make sure others know how you treated me, as I remain one of your most unsatisfied customers.

Terry Cox

P.S. Nice boat the 40.5. That was my preference when we upgraded, but the admiral won me over; darn. I'm so happy she is much smarter than I.

 

[lwilhelmsen]

Refer & freezer not cooling

On my 1993 40.5 which I have owned about five years I replaced all the door gaskets and made sure the drain in the frig. was plugged when in use. Also found the coils almost plugged with dust so I now clean each year. Units now seem to run about as expected instead of all the time.

 

[Ivan]

Insulation and leaks

Steve:

If the Freon level is good and the controls work well the likely culprit is poor insulation and/or air leaks. The capacity of these units is low enough that any significant air leak caused by poorly fitting door seals or not insulated openings in the sidewalls where tubing and wires go through will cause rapid frosting up of the evaporator, which is a good insulator and will result in poor performance. In addition, if the space between the outside walls and the boat bulkheads, hull, or floor is too thinly insulated or uses the wrong material the poor insulation will let in heat and greatly reduce performance.

Since you had the units replaced after the lightning strike any of these could be your problem. Suggest checking first for rapid frost formation, which would indicate an air leak somewhere. You should check all the openings through the boxes, and also close the lids or doors on dollar bills--if they can be easily pulled out the fit is too loose. If that is not the case then replacing the insulation around the boxes would be indicated, but that could be a much bigger job depending on the layout and construction. But there is no mystery here: It could well be simply that the cooling capacity is just being overwhelmed by air leaks, heat leaks, or both.

Happy hunting.