[C320-list] Refrigerator install suggestions

Thu Jul 13 21:16:47 PDT 2023

Dave,

Sorry for the slow response. Finished project and headed out the door for a
drive across Canada. Long story.

So we followed your advice (and that of others) and replace the cold
machine condenser and evaporator with a Nova cool version of both.

I had a helper and the install went without a hitch, with the biggest issue
being the replacement evaporator came without mounting holes (standard?)
and we were a bit redicind to create our own given the chance of puncture.
But with fingers crossed we went ahead with no issues.

New unit is a little better on power and much quieter.

Thanks a again for the encouragement. It was the right call for sure.

-----------
...from my mobile...
Paul Hetherington
hull 155, 1994

On Thu, Jun 29, 2023, 10:56 AM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Wondering if you got into this and how it went?
>
> Mine is performing great.
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_>
>
> On Thu, Jun 8, 2023 at 12:35 PM, Dave Hupe
> <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Watch the thermostat height is what i said.
>
> So ... sounds like you are doing this. I think you will be happy with it.
> It comes with everything you need and price is great. I think the warranty
> is a year more than Cold Machine too.
>
> I disconnected the refrigerant line and wiring back by the condenser and
> hooked/taped a semi-rigid snake plus a secondary snake line to it (be
> smooth about your connection). After unhooking everything inside the
> refrigerator box, the whole thing pulled easily (by myself) into the refrig
> box/cabin.
>
> Inside the cabin, uncoil the new lines and lay it out forward,
> connect/tape your snake lines (I did 2 as a safety measure) to the end and
> start pushing the lines a little into the rear hole in the fridge box).  I
> went back to the rear of the boat and pulled a little on my snake lines,
> then pushed inside again. Keep alternating so it feels pretty smooth/ not
> binding. I never felt like it bound up anywhere. If there was a 2nd person
> available obviously this could be easier (say to support the evaporator box
> as the lines are fed into the cavity), but I surprised myself getting it
> done.
>
> I used wads of butyl tape to plug around the lines where they exited the
> refrigerator box. You could have some spray expandable foam instead.
>
> The condenser unit mounted fine in the port aft locker  except the screw
> mount holes didn’t  all line up.  Just tough working back there for my 71
> year-old worn body! All the connections were easy. I left the power
> settings as delivered. You probably read that you can set it 3 ways.  Power
> consumption is much lower that the Cold Machine.
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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>
> On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 11:29 PM, Paul Hetherington
> <paul at heth.ca> wrote:
> Great to know the standard 12ft will work.  And thanks for the reminder
> about the evaporator height.  Great input.  Will let you know how this
> turns out over the next couple of weeks.  Thanks again.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Paul Hetherington
> Seasun, #155, 1994
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 7:29 PM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I mounted the evaporator in the same place .. only the screw holes were a
> little different. I drilled some new ones and pugged the old ones with some
> butyl rubber. Be careful where you place the thermostat so the lid doesn't
> hit it when closed.
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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>
> On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 3:31 PM, Dave Hupe
> <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 12 ft worked fine. Others said the same
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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>
> On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 11:47 AM, Paul Hetherington
> <paul at heth.ca> wrote:
> Dave, (and all) thanks again for your help on this.  So as it turns out
> Nova Kool is local here in BC and people rave about it including their
> support so leaning that way including your recommendation.
>
> My concern is their off the shelf LT201-RT4 (which looks identical to the
> cm evaporator) says it comes with a 12 foot lead on the evaporator.  The
> cold machine it is replacing is said to be 15 foot from the manufacture.  I
> haven't measured the run, but given where it is on the boat I would have
> said 12 foot might not be enough distance.  Did you have any issues with
> lead length?
>
> Cheers,
> - Paul.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Paul Hetherington
> paul at heth.ca
> 604.763.7285
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 5, 2023 at 8:47 AM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I just wanted all new considering the age. I suggest you do the same and
> not have to revisit things (soon) later.
>
> The price for new (under $1000 including shipping for everthing) was great
> for the Nova Kool compared to Cold machine. It has been performing great
> and pulls much less power.
>
> Seriously .... it wasn't very challenging to install (myself) the
> evaporator .... was I nervous ... yes ... but it really went easily.
>
> I can't  comment on threads /compatibility.
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_>
>
> On Mon, Jun 5, 2023 at 10:25 AM, Paul Hetherington
> <paul at heth.ca> wrote:
> Thanks Dave.  I had seen that thread but thank you very much for your
> offer of assistance.  It's reassuring to hear it's not that daunting.
>
> However, can I ask why you elected to spend the extra grand+ and go
> through the challenge of the additional installation for the evaporator?
> Is it a requirement to install both the condenser and the evaporator box?
> Is it something to do with connecting the two?  If it turns out the
> condenser (cu-100) is what has clearly failed, other than the fact that the
> evaporator is old, if it seems to be working am I required to replace it?
> I notice that many of the threads here do in fact do that, so I am guessing
> there is some compelling reason I am not aware of.  Call me curious.
>
> Thanks,
> - Paul.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Paul Hetherington
> Seasun, #155, 1994
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 5, 2023 at 7:43 AM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Paul-
>
> See the email chain below. I did this all myself.  Running the lines from
> the compressor to the new evaporator really was not that difficult.
>
> If you strongly consider this, I can provide more input.
>
> Dave Hupe
> 1994 C320 #32
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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>
> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> *From:* "Dave Hupe" <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
> *To:* "Surprise thompson87.com" <surprise at thompson87.com>
> *Cc:*
> *Sent:* Sun, May 21, 2023 at 9:21 PM
> *Subject:* Fw: [C320-list] Refrigerator question
>
>
> https://www.suremarineservice.com/Galley/Ice-Box-Conversion/LT201-RT4_2.html
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> *From:* "Dave Hupe" <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
> *To:* "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> *Cc:*
> *Sent:* Sun, May 21, 2023 at 10:14 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [C320-list] Refrigerator question
> I replaced mine last year for $930 including shipping with a complete new
> LT201-RT4 Nova Kool refrigerator.  It was almost identical to the Cold
> machine. Works great.
>
> My old unit did pretty much the same as yours but then quit completely.
>
> The Nova Kool was recommended highly by several other owners who did the
> same thing. It cost a lot less than a new cool machine and is warranted
> longer.
>
> I didn't see the benefit in messing with my old unit.
>
> I can provide more details if desired.
>
> Dave Hupe
>
> 1994 C320 #32
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_>
>
> On Sun, May 21, 2023 at 9:58 PM, surprise thompson87.com via C320-list
> <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> My 1999 Alder Barbour cold machine seemed to be running a lot last season,
> which I took as a sign that it might need refrigerant. I asked the yard if
> they could help and they told me that they charged it and tested
> everything. But out on our first cruise of the year the thing runs
> continuously and won’t cycle off. It is getting cold enough to keep ice
> frozen, but I have to turn it on and off manually to prevent depleting the
> batteries. It’s drawing about 85 watts when running. There is a sound of
> running water at the evaporator. Adjusting the thermostat makes no
> difference. Any ideas out there as to what might be wrong?  I’m wondering
> if I should retire it.
>
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, 653 (1999)
>
>