Refrigerator probelms

[Chaz3536]

Friends,
My fridge is acting up, I am getting 2 flashes on the red indicator light inside the fridge, which according to the Waeco manual means excessive current to the compressor fan. I'm looking for suggestions on fixing it. I know there has been some problems with this on other 309s. Appreciate any solutions.

Also interested in how to get the fridge out as it appears to be a very tight fit. Thanks

Charlie
SV Music Maker

 

[jsalley]

Try googling "Kollman Marine Refrigeration" - the guy who runs the site has a help forum, and has addressed this before, but he's also good about answering specific questions. The fridge is a b***h to get out. You have to remove the teak drawer and frame below it, then remove three screws from underneath, then saw out a small piece of the teak molding near the lower left side of the fridge. It should then slide out still attached to the wooden base, enough to detach the wiring from the rear and pull it completely free.

 

[jgortych]

Hi Charlie-

You might consider the incremental cost involved with fixing your Waeco vs getting a new Isotherm refrigerator. The Waecos don't have a good reputation. We replaced our Waeco with an Isotherm, and we were able to get the Isotherm at the Catalina cost. We were told that Catalina now installs Isotherms instead of Waecos on the 309. As to getting the Waeco out, it is tricky but do-able and certainly worth the effort given the Waeco unreliability. We relied on a skilled person to do the swap. Hope this helps. JG - PHOTON

 

[jsalley]

JG -- Which model Isotherm did you get? Is it a direct physical replacement in the cabinetry? Did you get it directly from Catalina Yachts? How much (if you don't mind)?

 

[jgortych]

JG -- Which model Isotherm did you get? Is it a direct physical replacement in the cabinetry? Did you get it directly from Catalina Yachts? How much (if you don't mind)?

Hi John -

I'll post the exact model and price I paid when I can get my hands on the info (I am presently traveling). But it is an exact fit to space, and I recall the price being under $1K with the Catalina discount. We hired someone to get it and install it, and I will find out where they got the fridge and how they wangled the discount.

So, more details to forthcoming next week... - JG

 

[jsalley]

Thanks - afraid I'm going to be headed down that road soon, too.

 

[jsalley]

An update on my fridge that might be of use to others - my Waeco worked fine on shore power but wouldn't cool on 12 V. I checked the output of the external voltage converter (located in the cockpit sail locker) with a multimeter, and it appeared ok. Because there had been earlier reports of failures of these units, I decided to just replace it (they are available at Defender for about $60). Put in the new one yesterday, and the fridge now works perfectly. I'm not sure how to check this without actually replacing, but it's a lot cheaper than either a service call or a fridge replacement.

 

[Siamese]

Good. That's the same problem these fridges have had all along...I'm glad to hear there isn't some new problem.

 

[jgortych]

Thanks - afraid I'm going to be headed down that road soon, too.

By way of update:

I replaced my Waeco with an Isotherm Indel 85 L. I was able to get it for $950, which I think represents a 20% discount from the retail price.