[C320-list] Frozen Compressor on Adler Barber Cold Machine

[Doug Treff]

Dave,

I've been eyeing the Nova Kool units too. The LT201-RT4 seems to have the same freezer box we currently have. Interested to hear if the RT6 will fit in a C320 fridge box.

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Wed, Sep 2, 2020, at 9:54 AM, Dave Hupe wrote:
> In answer to the appreciated feedback so far, my fan was working fine, 
> the thermostat was only set to 4, and the compressor body itself was 
> not hot (I think it normally is very hot to the touch). 
> The cold plate was completely covered with ice and in fact several 
> items in the freezer bin were completely frozen solid.  
> I definitely don't plan to throw money at it considering the old age.  
> I have taken note of a complete Nova Kool unit recommended by John 
> Morrison (LT201-RT6) that is selling for $920 now at 
> www.suremarineservice.com. A new complete Adler Barbour Cool Machine 
> seems to be about $1500 now.
> Dave Hupe
> 1994 C320 #32
> 
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 
>  
>   On Wed, Sep 2, 2020 at 9:35 AM, Graeme Clark<cg at skyflyer.co.uk> 
> wrote:   I’m no refrigeration expert but recently did a bit of reading 
> prior to replacing my 1996 unit!
> 
> My I de standing is:-
> 
> If the system is set up correctly the entire evaporator cold plate in 
> the cooler box should be cool/frosted but the return pipe to the 
> compressor should not. If it is then that’s a sign that the system is 
> overcharged with refrigerant
> 
> Conversely an undercharged system will show up because only a portion 
> of the evaporator plate gets cold
> 
> The cooling effect is when the liquid refrigerant expands through a 
> small orifice to become a gas
> 
> The compressor then compressed the gas which makes it very hot and the 
> condenser cools the hot gas (with the aid of a fan) to return the 
> refrigerant to a liquid and the cycle repeats
> 
> I struggle to see how lack of fan or other overheating would cause 
> frosting on the compressor or condenser?
> 
> I would suspect a partial blockage of the circuit near the compressor 
> and condenser creating a restriction and allowing the refrigerant to 
> expand into a gas downstream of that restriction
> 
> I’m not sure how else you end up with frosting at the compressor end,  
> which creates considerable heat! 
> 
> But I’m no expert so happy to be schooled!
> 
> However I replaced my system (including evaporator) at a cost of under 
> $1000. It’s an easy, although fiddly, job
> 
> The new unit draws 3amps max (variable speed so sometimes only 2.5) vs 
> 6 amps on the old one
> 
> In my humble opinion I wouldn’t spend a cent on fixing your 1994 system 
> as I suspect it will be the start of continual maintenance costs given 
> its age. Bite the bullet and replace it if you can afford to do so! 
> 
> Graeme
> #366
> 1996
> 
> Sent from my phone. Excuse typos! 
> 
> > On 2 Sep 2020, at 13:04, islgirl3 at aol.com wrote:
> > 
> > Dave,Also make sure the fan is working properly.
> > RichBarbara Rita 897
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com>
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> > Sent: Tue, Sep 1, 2020 8:49 pm
> > Subject: [C320-list] Frozen Compressor on Adler Barber Cold Machine
> > 
> > Dave
> > 
> > Your question doesn’t show up in my email feed just on the site so I had to
> > try to redo the subject line.
> > 
> > We have had this problem with a dehumidifier we use in the basement.  We
> > have found that turning the dehumidifier down a little seems to help a lot
> > to extend the useful life of the unit.
> > 
> > The typical cause of this problem is that your compressor is working harder
> > than it was designed to do originally.  This can be because you have the
> > fridge turned way up on a not so hot day so there is not enough  hot air
> > blowing across the compressor , or because your compressor fan isn't
> > blowing quite as  well as it used to, or you are starting to run low on
> > refrigerant.
> > 
> > If this is your original unit and you literally have 26 years on a cold
> > machine.  Wow!  You got a lot of miles on that baby, but...you are going
> > to need a new unit sooner or later.  A recharge of your system may not be
> > possible if it was an older refrigerant but that is something you could
> > look into I suppose.
> > 
> > Good luck, if it's working for now, try knocking the temp back a little and
> > see if that clears up the icing situation....or...put a fan down there to
> > get more air circulation?
> > 
> > Cheers
> > 
> > Troy Dunn
> > Hull#514
>   
>