[C320-list] Refrigeration Diagnostics Assistance

[ptormey at 4square.net]

#1037 Has a valve under the sink in the head that switches the shower simp to the refer drain.
Also the refer controller 'Dominic ' is replaceable  and if powered up will flash it's error codes on a red led. Use ur phone to record a video.

If you have power you can jumper out the thermostat and the fridge will start if the thermostat is bad, very likely,. BUT don't jumper out anything unless you really understand the wiring. The terminals are clearly marked.

Pat Tormey

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 4:30:33 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Refrigeration Diagnostics Assistance

There are trouble lights on the stock unit. I think Karl Mielenhausen posted the trouble shooting guide on the website

Best Regards,
Chris Burti
Commitment #867.

> On Jun 21, 2021, at 3:18 PM, Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:
>
> Ken,
>
> Same thing happened to me last year. Check in the port side aft locker, there should be a shelf. The Fridge compressor sits on that shelf. The easiest way to see it is by sticking your head through the access panel in the aft bunk and look to your right. There is a fuse on the side of the compressor that you can check. It is behind where some wires attach. Take a photo of how those wires are attached before you remove them to get to the fuse. There is a removable gray cover sticking down and once you pull that, you will probably find a blue 15-amp automotive-style fuse inside. Also, inspect your compressor thoroughly for rust or other evidence of getting wet.
>
> In my case, the fridge died a watery death because the propane locker drain was clogged, the locker filled up, and water dripped through a hole where the wiring for the propane solenoid wires pass through. I guess the control board got wet, and it stopped working. My fuse was NOT blown. I weighed the option of replacing the control board vs. buying a new fridge unit and decided that I didn't want to put a lot of money into a 24-year-old unit (my boat is a 1996 model). Not to mention, there was a lot of rust and evidence of continued water damage, so I didn't know if it had other hidden damage that caused the failure. I have made a few posts on the Catalina 320 group on Facebook with photos of the rust and damage to the original machine, as well as my new install if you want to see.
>
> Once I decided to do the replacement, I found the job was not terribly difficult, except for the crawling in and out of the aft locker repeatedly. Lots of boat-yago involved. Having a helper to fetch tools and hand them to you would make it a lot easier.
>
> I will say that there is currently a supply-chain issue and finding a new Dometic unit and matched evaporator plate in stock somewhere could be a challenge. I bought the Dometic CU-100 compressor and VD-150 evaporator plate. They are an exact match for what was originally supplied with the boat.
>
> If you can fix it by replacing a blown fuse or having a professional service it, that may be the quickest option.
>
> --
> Doug Treff
> doug at treff.us
>
>> On Mon, Jun 21, 2021, at 2:40 PM, Ken McCrimmon wrote:
>> Hi
>> 10 days ago, I left KIA ORA (2003 Catalina 320) plugged into shore
>> power with the fridge running. with a couple of beers and some water.
>> I came back this weekend and the fridge was not running.  The switch
>> was still on and the shore power plugged in.  I know that the yard
>> would have unplugged to boat to do some other work during the week.
>> Normally, I can hear the compressor running but nothing.  I checked the
>> thermostat, I reset the switch on the electrical panel, nothing seemed
>> to make a difference.
>> I tried to find the compressor.  I thought it might be in the port
>> locker but what i thought might be the compressor was actually the
>> battery charger.  I did not look in the port stern locker.  Did not
>> think about that until now.
>> I put a block of ice in the fridge for the weekend, which created
>> another problem, lots of water in the bottom of the fridge.
>>
>>
>>  1.   Is there a fuse or circuit breaker that i should be checking?
>>  2.  Anybody know where else to look for the compressor?
>>  3.  I thought there was a drain for the fridge (based on some other
>> reading on the C320 Association site) but I could not find it.  I tried
>> to get the water out manually (jcloths, tea towels, etc)  I either need
>> a manual pump or really big sponge.  Is there a drain in the cold box
>> and if so, is there something i need to do to open it.  Assume it
>> drains into the bilge.
>>
>> I tried getting into the 320 site to do more research but i am having
>> password issues today
>>
>> Thanks
>> Ken
>>
>>
>>