I am going to install an Adler Barbour, model CU 100 and VD 150 on my 1983 Catalina 30. Does anyone have any suggestions for the placement of the CU 100 unit? Thanks
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Paul
Cat 34
I am looking to install a unit on a 1987 Catalina 34. I've read many post on various web sites and find the compressor installed under the v-berth, under starboard table seating, and aft cockpit locker. Any suggestions on which unit and where to install would be appreciated. Paul
I am looking to install a unit on a 1987 Catalina 34. I've read many post on various web sites and find the compressor installed under the v-berth, under starboard table seating, and aft cockpit locker. Any suggestions on which unit and where to install would be appreciated. Paul
More fresh air is best.
In my opinion the more fresh air you can get to the compressor the better. If you put them in an enclosed locker you really need to add a vent and/or a cooling fan too. If they are placed in a lazarette, I think you will have enough air circulation so the compressor can run cooler. I believe that there is an article posted on the C'34 Org. site that shows the original location to be under the dining settee just forward of the mast. This location is NOT vented and causes the system to run hot. I think that some owners have added a vent top and bottom and then placed a computer cooling fan on the lower vent to pull in cool air off the floor and the top vent exhausts the hot air. I think that this is a good storage place and would rather put it in the lazarette. This is also better for noise reduction too. In the summer you are going to have that hot air exhausting into the cabin area. That may not be too bad in Ventura, but not good in warmer climates.
In my opinion the more fresh air you can get to the compressor the better. If you put them in an enclosed locker you really need to add a vent and/or a cooling fan too. If they are placed in a lazarette, I think you will have enough air circulation so the compressor can run cooler. I believe that there is an article posted on the C'34 Org. site that shows the original location to be under the dining settee just forward of the mast. This location is NOT vented and causes the system to run hot. I think that some owners have added a vent top and bottom and then placed a computer cooling fan on the lower vent to pull in cool air off the floor and the top vent exhausts the hot air. I think that this is a good storage place and would rather put it in the lazarette. This is also better for noise reduction too. In the summer you are going to have that hot air exhausting into the cabin area. That may not be too bad in Ventura, but not good in warmer climates.
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Warren
compressor location
I am in the process of purchasing a 1989 C30 and the boat has factory installed Adler Barbour refrigation. The factory installed the compressor under the stern cockpit seat on the port side. It esentially sits next to the propane locker. There is a vent in the locker and while running yesterday during the survey you could not hear it in the cabin. The only problem is that it does not appear to be cooling. The surveyor suggested a shot of freon, and clean off the coolong plate in the icebox. Good luck.
I am in the process of purchasing a 1989 C30 and the boat has factory installed Adler Barbour refrigation. The factory installed the compressor under the stern cockpit seat on the port side. It esentially sits next to the propane locker. There is a vent in the locker and while running yesterday during the survey you could not hear it in the cabin. The only problem is that it does not appear to be cooling. The surveyor suggested a shot of freon, and clean off the coolong plate in the icebox. Good luck.
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Paul
Is Heat Bad?
I'm thinking that since nights around here are usually 65 degress or below, summer is frequently foggy, that the heat in the main cabin may be a good thing. If you located the compressor under the dining settee how noisy is it? Annoying while having a conversation, keep you awake in the forward or aft cabin? Paul
I'm thinking that since nights around here are usually 65 degress or below, summer is frequently foggy, that the heat in the main cabin may be a good thing. If you located the compressor under the dining settee how noisy is it? Annoying while having a conversation, keep you awake in the forward or aft cabin? Paul
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Gary A.
Whisper Quiet
We have an A/B installed in our Hunter 34. The compressor is mounted beneath the seat of the dinette and once in a while, when things are really quiet on board, I can tell when it starts or stops. Most of the time, background noise completely masks the sound. As far as heat is concerned, I frequently sit on that seat and never notice any warmth coming from the air vent mounted to allow cooling of the compressor. Gary
We have an A/B installed in our Hunter 34. The compressor is mounted beneath the seat of the dinette and once in a while, when things are really quiet on board, I can tell when it starts or stops. Most of the time, background noise completely masks the sound. As far as heat is concerned, I frequently sit on that seat and never notice any warmth coming from the air vent mounted to allow cooling of the compressor. Gary
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Steve W.
Contiuous Cold machine Amperage draw...
The thermostat was stuck in the highest position on the A/B Cold machine on both charter boats we had in the BVI's last year. Compressor & fan ran continously unless power was switched off. The refer would draw enough amps to drop below the operating voltage after about 3 hours,shutting down the refer, even after charging at the dock 24 hours and motoring 3 hours. Batteries were huge AGM's and tested fine. My question is how much amperage does a Cold Machine draw when it runs continuously with no cycling? My guess is it has to be somewhere around 15-20 amps/hr based on our experience.Otherwise the units worked perfectly. Thanks!
The thermostat was stuck in the highest position on the A/B Cold machine on both charter boats we had in the BVI's last year. Compressor & fan ran continously unless power was switched off. The refer would draw enough amps to drop below the operating voltage after about 3 hours,shutting down the refer, even after charging at the dock 24 hours and motoring 3 hours. Batteries were huge AGM's and tested fine. My question is how much amperage does a Cold Machine draw when it runs continuously with no cycling? My guess is it has to be somewhere around 15-20 amps/hr based on our experience.Otherwise the units worked perfectly. Thanks!
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Paul
Norcolder Unit
Does anyone have experience with the Norcold unit and how it compares to the A/B units? My understanding is that it automatically switches from 12v to 120v when AC power is present.
Does anyone have experience with the Norcold unit and how it compares to the A/B units? My understanding is that it automatically switches from 12v to 120v when AC power is present.
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Dave Emery
Cold Machine Amps
I have the standard size Cold Machine installed in my Catalina 34. The initial startup draw is 5 - 6 amps and it quickly settles down to about 4.2 amps. The cycle time is approximately 5 minutes on 10 minutes off. The hourly draw is less then 2 amps. These numbers are based on a Heart Link 1000. If your charter boat was draining the batteries within 3 hours with a continues running unit (4.2 x 3 = 12.6amps). I would have to say the batteries were history.
I have the standard size Cold Machine installed in my Catalina 34. The initial startup draw is 5 - 6 amps and it quickly settles down to about 4.2 amps. The cycle time is approximately 5 minutes on 10 minutes off. The hourly draw is less then 2 amps. These numbers are based on a Heart Link 1000. If your charter boat was draining the batteries within 3 hours with a continues running unit (4.2 x 3 = 12.6amps). I would have to say the batteries were history.
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Chris Gonzales
Paul.....Norcolder
I have a Norcolder in my '87 C36. It was added to the original ice box. It does automatically switch from 12v to 110v. The original owner installed the compressor in a little storage cabinet at the port end of the quarter berth (I keep the sliding doors open for better circulation). As mentioned earlier, it is very important for the compressor unit get enough cool air to work properly. In this place it works well when the temp is in the low 70's or less, running about 10 minutes on and 20 minutes off in an original non insulation improved ice box, keeping the compartment at a steady 38 degrees. I have a little computer fan I will install before summer to help circulate the air at the compressor in hopes that the temp will stay where it should and the compressor wont have to run more often when it gets hotter in the boat. I understand the cold plates are better but this system seems to be working ok. Noise? We notice a low frerquency hum when the compressor runs but got used to it before too long. It's the same as those other sounds in a new house that sound strange at first and then you get used to them (dishwasher, fridge, washer, etc) Chris
I have a Norcolder in my '87 C36. It was added to the original ice box. It does automatically switch from 12v to 110v. The original owner installed the compressor in a little storage cabinet at the port end of the quarter berth (I keep the sliding doors open for better circulation). As mentioned earlier, it is very important for the compressor unit get enough cool air to work properly. In this place it works well when the temp is in the low 70's or less, running about 10 minutes on and 20 minutes off in an original non insulation improved ice box, keeping the compartment at a steady 38 degrees. I have a little computer fan I will install before summer to help circulate the air at the compressor in hopes that the temp will stay where it should and the compressor wont have to run more often when it gets hotter in the boat. I understand the cold plates are better but this system seems to be working ok. Noise? We notice a low frerquency hum when the compressor runs but got used to it before too long. It's the same as those other sounds in a new house that sound strange at first and then you get used to them (dishwasher, fridge, washer, etc) Chris
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Paul
Installation
The temp here is rarely higher than 75 in the day and 65 and night so I expect that there shouldn't be a problem. Does the unit come with any installation instructions, power connections, compressor location, evaporator installation, etc.. Thanks for the info. Paul
The temp here is rarely higher than 75 in the day and 65 and night so I expect that there shouldn't be a problem. Does the unit come with any installation instructions, power connections, compressor location, evaporator installation, etc.. Thanks for the info. Paul
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Dave Emery
Good Instructions, Lots Of Extra's
Paul, I bought and installed an AB Cold Machine on my 1990 Catalina 34. When I purchased my unit in 2000 they sold the unit as a pair (compressor / evaporator). I researched the installation by looking at units installed in similar Catalina 34’s. The general consensus was if you located the compressor under a seatee, you had better ventilate it. Many Catalina 34’s in the 1989 – 1990 vintage had the compressor located in the aft lazarette and that’s where I located mine. I built a small shelf with support directly behind the water tank on the starboard side. There’s fourteen feet of line supplied with the evaporator and works just fine. I’ve since had my unit serviced by a factory rep (that’s another story) and the first thing he wanted to know is where’s the compressor located. His immediate comment was, that’s exactly where it should be (close to or below the waterline in a compartment with the largest cubic volume). The unit comes with good installation instructions, but absolutely no additional equipment other then the compressor and evaporator. You’ll need hardware to mount it, wire and connectors, an available breaker in your panel, etc. You may want to consider upgrading your batteries (if you have the original configuration) if you’re planning on being on the hook for any period of time. All in all it’s one of the best upgrades I’ve done and I enjoy it every time I retrieve an ice-cold beer.
Paul, I bought and installed an AB Cold Machine on my 1990 Catalina 34. When I purchased my unit in 2000 they sold the unit as a pair (compressor / evaporator). I researched the installation by looking at units installed in similar Catalina 34’s. The general consensus was if you located the compressor under a seatee, you had better ventilate it. Many Catalina 34’s in the 1989 – 1990 vintage had the compressor located in the aft lazarette and that’s where I located mine. I built a small shelf with support directly behind the water tank on the starboard side. There’s fourteen feet of line supplied with the evaporator and works just fine. I’ve since had my unit serviced by a factory rep (that’s another story) and the first thing he wanted to know is where’s the compressor located. His immediate comment was, that’s exactly where it should be (close to or below the waterline in a compartment with the largest cubic volume). The unit comes with good installation instructions, but absolutely no additional equipment other then the compressor and evaporator. You’ll need hardware to mount it, wire and connectors, an available breaker in your panel, etc. You may want to consider upgrading your batteries (if you have the original configuration) if you’re planning on being on the hook for any period of time. All in all it’s one of the best upgrades I’ve done and I enjoy it every time I retrieve an ice-cold beer.
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