Richard we are talking apples and pears. The Nova Kool refrigerator uses Danfoss BD35 or BD50F. They do have a self diagnostic function with an LED blinking indicator or at the least have the ability to have an LED connected to obtain a trouble shooting code.
refrigerator hook up
- Thread starter colinhulse
- Start date
Sorry, My Mistake, this will help make Danfoss BD troubleshooting simple.
Three and Four pin Danfoss BD troubleshooting
If your refrigeration unit is over 10 years old and has a Danfoss BD 2 or BD2.5 or BD3 compressor then it has the older discontinued electronic 4 pin module.
Troubleshooting Danfoss compressors with 4 pin modules will consists of the following steps:
1. All of these compressors have a 4 pin module connector and their modules contain an external fuse. If this fuse is blown there are two reasons why either power wires to module are reversed or module has an internal failure.
2. Check to see that there is actually power at the refrigerator control module.
3. Place jumper wire across thermostat terminals on electronic module, Compressor still does not run go next step.
4. Disconnect black fan wire from electronic module, Compressor runs, replace fan. Compressor still does not run after fan ground wire is disconnected, go to next step.
5. Run correct size and correct polarity jumper wires direct from a fully charged battery in order to bypass all boat’s wiring. Volt meter readings are of no value when looking for voltage spikes. Compressor still does not run electronic module needs to be removed and tested on another unit. If there are no other units available to test your module on I will test all 12 volt Danfoss control modules free except for BD80 compressor modules. Small 12/24 volt boat refrigeration using Danfoss compressors manufactured after 1996 will have a BD 35 or BD 50 variable speed compressor with a troubleshooting computer chip built into their control module. This circuit makes them easier to find troubled area if compressor fails to run. If your unit does not have this $2 LED install one, as it could save you a lot of money later. Without the LED on these new units troubleshooting will be the same as earlier 4 pin Danfoss BD compressors.
Unfortunately trouble shooting LEDs are not installed on most units. I offer a kit that can be easily installed on the module.
There are installation instruction information at Danfoss and my web site as well as in my 12/24 volt refrigeration manual on Troubleshooting LEDs. If you would like the kit and step by step instructions with pictures, send $8 plus $4 shipping to me and I will mail you a complete kit. This simple device can save you refrigeration down time and hopefully large repair costs. If you understand LED applications and do not need the kit 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..
If installed trouble shooting LED will only flash if electronic module sees a compressor problem. In each case problems of compressor’s failures to run are identified by Counting number of flashes of LED:
If your shipping address is in the US I will test your module on my Danfoss compressor refrigeration test stand. This test stand will run at max compressor load for a one hour. I will then return your module to you for a shipping and handling charge of $20.
Four pin modules for BD2.5 and BD3 twelve volt compressors only:
Three pin modules for BD35 and BD50 non Danfoss are also $150 plus $15 shipping
New module non Danfoss $150 plus $15 insured shipping. Modules will only be shipped to addresses in the US.
Because your unit is old and if it needs a new electronic module there is a risk that something is wrong that caused module to fail so most companies will refuse warranty of these modules. This is my electronic module warranty:
If any used module I sell fails to operate your unit it can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
Any new non Dandoss module I sell 3 or 4 pin can be returned for full credit within 30 days. Because of my own risk involved for the next 11 months I will return only 50% of the new units purchase price if module is returned within the first year.
To have module tested or purchase a new three or four pin module send check to:
Richard Kollmann
2430 Sugarloaf LN
Ft. Lauderdale FL, 33312
Richard Kollmann
http://www.kollmann-marine.com
Three and Four pin Danfoss BD troubleshooting
If your refrigeration unit is over 10 years old and has a Danfoss BD 2 or BD2.5 or BD3 compressor then it has the older discontinued electronic 4 pin module.
Troubleshooting Danfoss compressors with 4 pin modules will consists of the following steps:
1. All of these compressors have a 4 pin module connector and their modules contain an external fuse. If this fuse is blown there are two reasons why either power wires to module are reversed or module has an internal failure.
2. Check to see that there is actually power at the refrigerator control module.
3. Place jumper wire across thermostat terminals on electronic module, Compressor still does not run go next step.
4. Disconnect black fan wire from electronic module, Compressor runs, replace fan. Compressor still does not run after fan ground wire is disconnected, go to next step.
5. Run correct size and correct polarity jumper wires direct from a fully charged battery in order to bypass all boat’s wiring. Volt meter readings are of no value when looking for voltage spikes. Compressor still does not run electronic module needs to be removed and tested on another unit. If there are no other units available to test your module on I will test all 12 volt Danfoss control modules free except for BD80 compressor modules. Small 12/24 volt boat refrigeration using Danfoss compressors manufactured after 1996 will have a BD 35 or BD 50 variable speed compressor with a troubleshooting computer chip built into their control module. This circuit makes them easier to find troubled area if compressor fails to run. If your unit does not have this $2 LED install one, as it could save you a lot of money later. Without the LED on these new units troubleshooting will be the same as earlier 4 pin Danfoss BD compressors.
Unfortunately trouble shooting LEDs are not installed on most units. I offer a kit that can be easily installed on the module.
There are installation instruction information at Danfoss and my web site as well as in my 12/24 volt refrigeration manual on Troubleshooting LEDs. If you would like the kit and step by step instructions with pictures, send $8 plus $4 shipping to me and I will mail you a complete kit. This simple device can save you refrigeration down time and hopefully large repair costs. If you understand LED applications and do not need the kit 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..
If installed trouble shooting LED will only flash if electronic module sees a compressor problem. In each case problems of compressor’s failures to run are identified by Counting number of flashes of LED:
- No LED flashes would indicate either thermostat is open or no power to module.
- One LED flash and a 4 second pause indicates a boat wiring electrical resistance problem or low batteries. Because of modules sensitive to milliseconds of a voltage spick they cannot be detected by a voltmeter. Solution is to bypass boat’s wiring till problem is located. To isolate trouble follow instructions above in item number 5.
- Three LED flashes indicate excessive torque is required to start compressor. This is commonly caused by turning compressor off and back on too quickly or too much refrigerant or poor condenser cooling. Most people jump to the conclusion that there is a mechanical rotor lock up inside compressor and this is a mistake on Danfoss BD compressors.
- Four LED flashes indicate compressor motor not reaching sustained controlling speed above 1,850 rpm quick enough.
If your shipping address is in the US I will test your module on my Danfoss compressor refrigeration test stand. This test stand will run at max compressor load for a one hour. I will then return your module to you for a shipping and handling charge of $20.
Four pin modules for BD2.5 and BD3 twelve volt compressors only:
Three pin modules for BD35 and BD50 non Danfoss are also $150 plus $15 shipping
New module non Danfoss $150 plus $15 insured shipping. Modules will only be shipped to addresses in the US.
Because your unit is old and if it needs a new electronic module there is a risk that something is wrong that caused module to fail so most companies will refuse warranty of these modules. This is my electronic module warranty:
If any used module I sell fails to operate your unit it can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
Any new non Dandoss module I sell 3 or 4 pin can be returned for full credit within 30 days. Because of my own risk involved for the next 11 months I will return only 50% of the new units purchase price if module is returned within the first year.
To have module tested or purchase a new three or four pin module send check to:
Richard Kollmann
2430 Sugarloaf LN
Ft. Lauderdale FL, 33312
Richard Kollmann
http://www.kollmann-marine.com
Success!!
I got the 24 volt side working with help from tech support. You have to install a jumper cable between two of the terminals. This overrides the sensor that detects a low battery. I am going to modify it into a switch SPST so I can turn the battery protection back on when away from the dock and on 12 volts. Thanks all.
I got the 24 volt side working with help from tech support. You have to install a jumper cable between two of the terminals. This overrides the sensor that detects a low battery. I am going to modify it into a switch SPST so I can turn the battery protection back on when away from the dock and on 12 volts. Thanks all.
Congratulations and thanks for letting us know the outcome as it will go into the data base and perhaps help someone in the future.
On second thought, now that you have the compressor running at 24V and have established a load just take a voltage reading at the unit just to confirm that the actual voltage coming from the converter is within the parameters of the fridge. You would not want to run the fridge on low voltage outside the parameters as it will just create heat and shorten the useful life of the motor.
Control module protects compressor from damage by not permitting it to run if control speed is not above 1800 rpm or if at module it sees a voltage spikes below 10.9 volts. Unlike other refrigeration compressors Danfoss BD air cooled compressors are not life limited.