Fridge cooling but not cold.

[bratwurzt1]

Hello All,

Getting our 03' SO35 ready for launch next month and in the survey last October when we bought her it was mentioned the fridge is cooling but not getting down to temp as it should. Is this unit like an old school AC and needs a blast of freon or is the compressor shot? 

I don't even know where to start with this and if it's a complicated issue would rather do it on the hard. 

As always help is very appreciated. 

Thank you,
Gary

[eadiver]

A few thoughts for you:

1. Is the compressor cycling turning on and off normally like it is reaching a set point or is it running constantly? If it is shutting off when the unit reaches a set point, have you tried adjusting it (there should be a thermostat control either in the cabinet near the refrigerator or possibly near the compressor. Sometimes Jeanneau puts them in the refrigerator too.
2. If the compressor is running constantly, then you might be low on refrigerant or have a bad thermostat or loose wire some place (check the ground wire). Low refrigerant could be the cause if your are experiencing #1 conditions also.

Good luck!

[rene460]

Hi bratwurzt,

I believe you will find that the fridge it totally conventional compressor frige technology.  The theory is simple enough but I suspect it is not possible to tell which of the possibilities you suggest on the basis of one symptom alone.  However a refrigeration mechanic would be able to tell quickly enough with a pressure measurement and quickly fix the issue.  He would also check for leaks while on the job, and have the skills to repair any found.

If you are normally at anchor, it will be easier to get a mechanic on board at the yard, but if you are on a marina jetty, it is probably easier at the marina.  Time is the issue as you will pay for the time it takes to get someone aboard.

In my experience, the job is not within the capabilities of most amateurs and they generally do not have the required special tools.  So unless you are one of those rare individuals who seem to be able to do absolutely anything, I suggest a refrigeration mechanic is the way to go.

rene460

[bratwurzt1]

Mar 27, 2017 9:00:07 GMT eadiver said:

A few thoughts for you:

1. Is the compressor cycling turning on and off normally like it is reaching a set point or is it running constantly? If it is shutting off when the unit reaches a set point, have you tried adjusting it (there should be a thermostat control either in the cabinet near the refrigerator or possibly near the compressor. Sometimes Jeanneau puts them in the refrigerator too.
2. If the compressor is running constantly, then you might be low on refrigerant or have a bad thermostat or loose wire some place (check the ground wire). Low refrigerant could be the cause if your are experiencing #1 conditions also.

Good luck!

Is the compressor cycling turning on and off normally like it is reaching a set point or is it running constantly? If it is shutting off when the unit reaches a set point, have you tried adjusting it (there should be a thermostat control either in the cabinet near the refrigerator or possibly near the compressor. Sometimes Jeanneau puts them in the refrigerator too

Compressor is running constantly so I will check those few things next time we go down, if the weather ever breaks here in the Northeast US. 

[rene460]

Hi bratwurzt,

Not cooling AND compressor running continuously sounds like lack of gas.  But that is not the end of the story, it is necessary to ask why is there lack of gas?

Quite possibly a leak.  Given the age of your boat, and presumably the frige system, it may not be a serious leak and a shot of gas may be enough for several more years.  A simple pressure test will confirm this if you have the necessary gauge and connectors.  If the problem occurs again, and is again confirmed as lack of gas, then you definitely need to find the leak.

Of course, the compressor may be a problem, especially if it has been run in this condition for a long time, which might mean it does not get adequate lubrication.  But the simple explanation is lack of gas, check this first with a pressure measurement.  If the thermostat or thermostat wiring is the problem, then running continuously, it would get too cold.

rene460

[bratwurzt1]

Mar 27, 2017 22:57:49 GMT rene460 said:

Hi bratwurzt,

Not cooling AND compressor running continuously sounds like lack of gas.  But that is not the end of the story, it is necessary to ask why is there lack of gas?

Quite possibly a leak.  Given the age of your boat, and presumably the frige system, it may not be a serious leak and a shot of gas may be enough for several more years.  A simple pressure test will confirm this if you have the necessary gauge and connectors.  If the problem occurs again, and is again confirmed as lack of gas, then you definitely need to find the leak.

Of course, the compressor may be a problem, especially if it has been run in this condition for a long time, which might mean it does not get adequate lubrication.  But the simple explanation is lack of gas, check this first with a pressure measurement.  If the thermostat or thermostat wiring is the problem, then running continuously, it would get too cold.

rene460

Thanks for the info rene460, I have a mechcic in the family with the needed tool for a pressure test and he won't mind coming down for the day for a beer to check it. 😁

[rene460]

Hi bratwurzt,

That sounds like a good plan.  Presumably he will know what the pressure should be, and be able to top it up or arrange repair as necessary.

Perhaps take him for a sail while he is there, we might end up with another member, though still March, CT, is the weather suitable at this time of year?

I am sure that we are all interested in the outcome.

rene460

[Deleted]

Bratwurzt,

I was wondering if you where able to fix the problem. Was it easy to do the pressure test and was it possible to fill it again with freon?

[sailbleu]

May 26, 2017 19:08:56 GMT @marien said:

Bratwurzt,

I was wondering if you where able to fix the problem. Was it easy to do the pressure test and was it possible to fill it again with freon?

Marien , ( and others)

all you need to know about our boat fridge .
Btw , freon is not used anymore , CFK's ( earth ozon layer )

jeanneau.proboards.com/thread/1623?page=4

Regards

[Deleted]

Wow, that looks like a nightmare story I don't want to end in. Mine cooler is more or less OK. It's just that I start to think it is lacking fridgerant. Reading this I will wait until my suspisions are confirmed. BTW how did you remove the top cover above the compressor. I only took de front off when I replaced the gas tubes in the past.

[Trevor]

Hi bratwurzt1,

I'm with rene460, this is one job that doesn't get my vote to "fix it myself". It's just too difficult and the restrictions on obtaining gas requires a license which I don't have. The sailbleu post on his refrigerator repair is legendary and that level of commitment is totally beyond my mortal capabilities. I suggest getting a fridge mechanic to look at it and just pay the bill.

Good luck,

Trevor

[chuckr]

I did the fix it myself on the reefer once and well let's just say the Admiral was not only upset but downright hostile when it did not work - one of those things that needs an expert - if I even think about it again the Admiral asks if I want to ever eat again find an expert

[minnewaska]

I've had three primary failures on my fridge systems.

1. It could be low gas pressures. However, even when it's the case, it's often because there is a small leak, which causes problem number 2. Topping up the gas is often a temporary fix.

2. Moisture gets inside the gas lines, which freezes at the evaporator and blocks gas flow. This can seem like it only cools, because a small amount of moisture will freeze, block, then defrost and let the gas flow again, then repeats. It never gets down to temp, just cycles. You can sometime tell this is the case, by noticing that only a part of your evaporator is frosting over. It always gets worse and worse from there. You need a pro to purge and dry the system and find the leak. They can also install a drying canister in the line. The leaks can be either impossible or impractical to locate. You might spend more per hour looking for the leak that it would cost to replace.

3. I've also had the thermostat itself fail. Easy DIY fix.

Good luck

[Zanshin]

If you have a thermometer then you can measure the temperature at the evaporator plate and that will tell you a lot. If you also measure the temperature of the coolant going out and returning to the compressor that will tell you even more. I use a cheap IR thermometer, but many multimeters also have temperature probes.
I agree with the previous posters that trying to juggle the correct amount of gas in the very small systems aboard is more of an art than a science and is best left to professionals.

[geitz]

After launching this spring, our fridge no longer cooled. It's a Frigoboat unit with a Danfoss compressor.
I attempted to recharge and quickly discovered a leak at one of the two connectors between the evaporator and the compressor.
I ordered replacement o-rings and replaced both, then added more refrigerant (R134a). Now it's working great.

The two connectors that needed new o-rings are circled red.

[Deleted]

That's sound like an easy fix. Didn't you loose all refrigerant when you took the couplings appart? Can describe how you added the refrigerant?

[bratwurzt1]

May 26, 2017 19:08:56 GMT @marien said:

Bratwurzt,

I was wondering if you where able to fix the problem. Was it easy to do the pressure test and was it possible to fill it again with freon?

Hi Marien,
We had a broken strut issue that should be resolved this week so with the cushions and half the quarter birth being stored in the saloon I haven't been able try any of the suggestions. I'll post my findings as soon as it's done. 

[geitz]

May 30, 2017 16:21:42 GMT @marien said:

That's sound like an easy fix. Didn't you loose all refrigerant when you took the couplings appart? Can describe how you added the refrigerant?

I figured all the refrigerant was already out due to the leak over the winter. I understand these couplings are made so that the unit can be charged prior to installation, from the factory. Once you install the evaporator and run the lines to the compressor, you make these two connections and there's no coolant loss. The male part of the connector has an o-ring on the end along with a valve pin. The Female part also has a valve pin, and is deep, so that when you insert the male part, the o-ring makes the seal before the two pins push on each other and allow refrigerant to flow.

Adding the refrigerant: I used plain R134a (no additives). I read that it's really important to use no additives. I purchased one can of R134a and a hose with a gage. I also purchased an adaptor for R134a to R12. The old compressor on my boat did not have the R134a connection. It looks like a schrader valve (R12) and needed to be adapted to the quick connector found on the hose/gage assembly.

Hose/Gage:

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Adaptor:

shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit-parts-kit-ac995-va-lh11/12011072-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=12011072-P&iv_=__iv_p_1_a_214327102_g_12425515822_w_pla-298755983213_h_9018741_ii__d_c_v__n_g_x_pla_y_6201684_f_online_o_12011072-P_z_US_i_en_j_298755983213_s__vi__&utm_source=ACQ&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&utm_content=shoppingcampaigns&gclid=CM3DoICnmtQCFcW1wAodCjAILA


One end connects to the can of refrigerant and has a pierce valve. Make sure the valve is turned out before screwing onto the can.

I started the refrigerator and let it run for about 15 minutes to let it warm up. Connect the hose/gage to the can of R134a and pierce the can. Open the valve until the gage shows some pressure and then purge the hose by pressing on the valve pin in the quick connector with a blunt object. Wear gloves or get frostbite!  Close the valve on the can.
Install the adaptor on the "service port" on the compressor. It's the stubby pipe that sticks out of the housing. Connect the hose/gage to the now updated service port. With the compressor running, slowly open the valve on the can. The can needs to remain upright the whole time. Allow the refrigerant to flow for a minute, then close the valve and let it run for a couple of minutes. Check the evaporator in the ice box for frosting. Repeat this until the whole evaporator frosts up, but no further. That's why you have to pause and let it settle. I stopped adding R134 before the last two raised channels in the evaporator frosted up, just to be safe. Remove the hose from the connector on the compressor and use the plastic screw on plug that comes with the adaptor kit to close it. Leave it on the compressor. Enjoy!


Sorry, I was not able to insert images.

[Deleted]

Sounds like a good explanation but I will better understand it when I have the compressor skid in front of me. Does the kit come with a proper manual and a list of additonal items to be purchased? Where did you buy the kit, is it easy to get at a local frigoboat dealer?

[geitz]

Jun 1, 2017 16:52:09 GMT @marien said:

Sounds like a good explanation but I will better understand it when I have the compressor skid in front of me. Does the kit come with a proper manual and a list of additonal items to be purchased? Where did you buy the kit, is it easy to get at a local frigoboat dealer?

There wasn't a "kit" or manual, actually.

I purchased the Frigoboat replacement o-rings from a marine supply company that I found on the web, the refrigerant, hose/gage assembly, and adaptor at an auto parts store.

The instructions that I followed (roughly) were from: www.sailmagazine.com/diy/recharge-your-refrigerator-2/

There are more involved (requires an ammeter) instructions here: www.kollmann-marine.com/servicing%20sml%20refrig.aspx#12._Servicing_a_Frigoboat_System.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the information. Now with the photo's it is really clear and a job I can really do myself.

[crashley]

Our Vitrifrigo fridge stopped working about 4 years after we got our brand new SO 409. The compressor ran with no cooling effect. I called in a local fridge technician and they recharged it with R134a refrigerant. About 3 months later it was not working again so I had them replace the whole unit with a new ND50CT3 or Danfoss BD50F. (~$1500US for unit and installation.) I also had them relocate the unit to a more accessible location under the STBD bench in the saloon as the original unit was under the fridge to STBD of the sink and VERY difficult to access. It's been working great since last August (~10 months). Also, I noticed that the Vitrifrigo manual indicated that the original BD30F was undersized for the size of our fridge (about 8 cu ft). Pictures of new unit are below.

[crashley]

The $1500 also included replacing the evaporator in the freezer shown blow.

[crashley]

Here is the Vitrofrigo fridge label (190 lt = 6.7 cu ft) and the chart that shows the BD35 is good for up to 6 cu ft. Maybe I'm not reading the chart correctly as it is referring to the evaporator. 

[okmarts]

Mar 27, 2017 9:04:23 GMT rene460 said: