[C320-list] Fridge not chilling as effectively…where to start?

[Jack Brennan]

Hi David:

The immediate educated guess is that you have developed some small refrigerant leak, or perhaps have just run low over time. While I have met people who have done their own refrigerant work, it’s way beyond my skills and, I suspect, that of many people on the list.

Then it comes down to the cost of repair vs. replace. If you can find a reasonably priced repair person, it might be worth spending a hundred or two to get an assessment.

The trouble comes in if it’s a repair that runs into the many hundreds. A new unit with evaporator can be had for about $1,400 U.S. At some point, it becomes more sensible to just buy the new unit and get the updated, more efficient technology.

The good news is that replacing the unit is not difficult.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.





Sent from Mail for Windows

From: David Hayes
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2021 7:09 PM
To: C320 Assn Forum
Subject: [C320-list] Fridge not chilling as effectively…where to start?

Hi all,
Our fridge has always (ok, we've only owned the boat for 3 years but...) worked very effectively and we have always found that we have ice cubes after just a few hours.  But on our last couple of trips it was not quite as effective, and on a short trip this weekend it did not manage to freeze the ice cube tray at all even though we had it on full all day/night.  It is cooling, but just not as well as it normally does.  The weather is quite mild here at the moment so no environmental factors of note.
I believe it's the original fridge which I think is the Adler Barbour...2006 model boat.  Compressor etc is located in stern port locker on the shelf.
For some reason it's about the only appliance on the boat for which I do not seem to have a manual.

Any thoughts appreciated regards where I should start to investigate given the symptoms.

__________________
David Hayes
2006 Catalina 320 Harlequin
Mobile: 0478 956 056<tel:0478%20956%20056>
20 Cooks Outlet Road
Loch Vic 3945
Australia