Repairing an older fridge

[pegasus1457]

The 12V refrigerator on the Pearson 32 that I bought last summer has never worked since I first looked at the boat. After squaring away more urgent problems I finally got around to looking at the refrigerator.

It blows fuses (15A) every time it is asked to turn on. I can think of a few possible causes:

• shorted compressor motor
• shorted control electronics
• no refrigerant left (can this cause a blown fuse?)

Does anyone know of any repair facility where I can get the compressor repaired at a reasonable price (less than the price of a new compressor)?
The compressor is made by Frigibar Industries, model CU-2.0 (date unknown -- some time after 1980). The controller was made in Denmark,
Model BD 102N - 3017. It was designed to use the now illegal R12 refrigerant. Will a unit like this run on the newer refrigerants?

Thanks for your help.

[EO32]

The 25 year old 12v Cold Machine on my boat didn't work when I bought it last year. A new Compressor/Condenser unit is $900.

Since my boat budget is not unlimited and I don't mind hacking things together, I cut the compressor off of a mini fridge I had at home.

I brazed the 110v R134a compressor in place of the dead 12v R12 Compressor and put a filler valve on the low side.

It works great.

When at shore, shore power keeps it nice and cold. We out, my inverter keeps it running. It's draws about 8 amps (12v) when running.

Chris

[EO32]

Originally Posted by pegasus1457

Will a unit like this run on the newer refrigerants?

From what I've been told, you do not want to put R134a into a R12 unit. The lubrication oil will react with the R134a. There is a R12 compatible refrigerant call R409, but only professionals can get that.

[pegasus1457]

In parallel with this query I also emailed frigibar (still in business). Their reply: electronic control module is the culprit, said module no longer manufactured, so the only option is a replacement compressor -- as someone has replied, $900.

Fridge is about to revert to an icebox unless I can find a compressor on ebay or at one of the marine salvage yards.

[JiffyLube]

You might want to check out this forum KollmannMarine Boat Refrigeration Specialist . I was able to fix my old AB after doing some reading.

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

You might want to check out this forum KollmannMarine Boat Refrigeration Specialist . I was able to fix my old AB after doing some reading.

Thanks, Jiffy, for a very helpful lead...

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

You might want to check out this forum KollmannMarine Boat Refrigeration Specialist . I was able to fix my old AB after doing some reading.

This was a great lead.

The original manufacturer suggested replacing the compressor an control module ($900) plus a service call to purge the system of old refrigerant and recharge it ($$$).

KollmannMarine has a forum which pointed me to a vendor who sells a plug-compatible replacement module (www.frigoboat.com). The new module cost me $225 + shipping and it took me less than an hour to install it.

The refrigerator now works like a charm.

Thanks again for pointing me to this resource.

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by pegasus1457

This was a great lead.

The original manufacturer suggested replacing the compressor an control module ($900) plus a service call to purge the system of old refrigerant and recharge it ($$$).

KollmannMarine has a forum which pointed me to a vendor who sells a plug-compatible replacement module (www.frigoboat.com). The new module cost me $225 + shipping and it took me less than an hour to install it.

The refrigerator now works like a charm.

Thanks again for pointing me to this resource.

I'm glad that the site helped you!

You must have had the same problem that I had, as all I needed was the controller too from Frigoboat.