[C320-list] Refrigerator install suggestions

[Dave Hupe]

Very glad all went well Paul installing the Nova Kool system. I don’t recall having to drill mount holes on the evaporator, but that wouldn't be a problem to drill holes in the outer aluminum frame (away from the coolant channels).
My Nova Kool  is working fantastic and definitely draws much less power (mine apparently is set on the high setting and  draws about 4amps compared to 6amps of the old Cool Machine). It is so quiet that when I turned it on the first time this season it was hard to hear anything and thus I was concerned it was not working. 
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32
Holland,  MI 

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  On Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 12:17 AM, Paul Hetherington<paul at heth.ca> wrote:   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

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  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
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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 HetheringtonSeasun, #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

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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

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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 Hetheringtonpaul at heth.ca604.763.7285

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

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  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 HetheringtonSeasun, #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

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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
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   ----- 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

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  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)