[C320-list] Waeco Refrigerator Removal

[John Frost]

We had the same problem. I noted the vent on a boat built after ours and mentioned it to Frank Butler. He sent me one. Guess we were like buyers of a newly designed car line. Takes a few units to work the bugs out.
BTW, I found my fan was  sucking in air over the coils and blowing it against the refrigerator instead of blowing it out. I turned it around so it blow air away from the frig,  toward the new vent and it works better
. Can't remember if I did that physically or just reversed the wiring 
Happy Sailing!

John
2007 C320MKII
Hull 1118
Guntersville, AL


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Utility Email
Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2013 10:09 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Waeco Refrigerator Removal

Jerry,

Our refrigerator was doing the same thing - running very warm, heating up the counter top. 

I contacted Catalina about it.  Gerry Douglas, the designer emailed me and called me about it.  He said that there should be a vent installed in the bulkhead between the refrigerator compressor (top back of unit) and aft cabin.  He said he would send me the vent grill.  Never received it, so I picked up a white one from the marine store.  Pretty cool to receive a call from the designer directly.

I installed a 4-inch vent in the bulkhead between the refer and aft cabin.  I made it a point to line up the vent directly opposite the fan to improve air flow.  Also made sure that the condenser fan on the refer was working properly and also cleaned out the condenser coils (they were dusty).  I recall that the refrigerator was attached to a plywood shelf that sat behind a lip hear the front and that the fridge assembly had to be lifted up and out to remove it. Make sure you protect the sink cabinet with padding or towels as the refrigerator will want to tip over once it is removed and it could possibly damage the cabinets.  Protect the oven door to. The refrigerator is a tight fit. I recall that there are some instructions for removal of the refrigerator on our C320 website.  They had photos as well. 

My refrigerator is running more efficiently  now that the coils are venting waste heat into our aft cabin through the 4-inch vent grill that I installed. 

Good luck.

Dave

Dave Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, Washington

On Jul 8, 2013, at 6:39 AM, Jerry Brown <jbrown01015 at outlook.com> wrote:

> Hi Jerry
> 
> I got my Waeco out after some fun this spring.  Drop me your email outside the list to jbrown03 at sympatico.ca and I will send you my number if you would like to call me.  It may be easier to explain things over the phone as there are some wrinkles.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Jerry Brown
> Indigo #1137
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Jerry Taylor
> Sent: Monday, July 8, 2013 9:32 AM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Waeco Refrigerator Removal
> 
> Has anyone tried to remove the Waeco refrigerator from its location?  I see nothing on the discussion list regarding this.  I cannot find what is holding it in place.  The operating manual states to remove four side blanking plugs and insert screws for installation. There are no screws on either side behind the blanking plugs.  My guess is that the lip of the corian counter top is holding it in!!  No screws on the back bulkhead.
> 
> It runs very hot and heats the corian up, resulting in melting of the ice in the icebox and heat going into the aft cabin.  There is no place for the heat to escape.  The manual suggests to clean the condenser frequently, but you cannot get to it.  They also recommend 2” of space around the unit for air circulation which is not there.  It uses a lot of power,  and runs the batteries down and will shut off at 10.4 volts.  Not a very good design or installation.  I would like to remove it to clean and maybe try something in its place.
> 
> Jerry
> Piper  #1128