Refer compressor

Im going to start by recognizing that I should just prepare to spend a couple of boat bucks on this...but, my refer just gave up the cold. I had some work done last year and things seemed to be working ok. The coldbox fan went out a few weeks ago so I found a replacement and it was working better than ever...untill the compressor seemed to quit the other day. I took out the fridge and saw this corrosion near the tube at the compressor. Th voltages look right but it will try to start then quit in 2 seconds. This looks like the gas has escaped. Is this a repair, compressor replacement or a new refer? What do you see? Its an Isotherm over under.

Might not have anything to do with the cruddy looking lines, it could be as simple as a bad capacitor or starter contactor. Sometime condensation forms on the lines and they get surface corrosion, does not mean it leaked the gas. Test the capacitor first. A bad cap will cause comp to power up in a stall condition and trip on overcurrent, in a few seconds. A fluke meter can test the cap, or just try another one. Next, hook up a manifold and check the gas pressures.

Okay. The power supply looked good, so I must have to look in the black box mounted on the compressor. There are two power lead going into this box that has a PCB mounted to it. This must house the motor controls. It is likely that this has frozen during the winter, so a bad cap is a possibility. Thanks for the lead. I will report back.

If it is the compressor or some other component, look at RParts. They aren't always the cheapest but they are a good place to start. The also have tech support and a forum.


Refrigeration Components - www.rparts.com

Check pressure first. Start capacitor next. Have someone turn it on and when you feel the compressor hum, hit it with a big rubber hammer. If it starts and runs and pressure is ok add a hardstart kit. It will probably not last another 10 years, or it may run till you sell the boat, or your widow or exwife sells the boat.

I did try the "hit compressor" trick. I should have taken a pic of the controller box because this troubleshooting guide leads me to think the compressor is likely OK.

http://www.isotherm-parts.com/PDF/service_notes/Danfoss-Troubleshooting.pdf

I love it... Everyone else I tell to smack the compressor thinks I'm nuts. I am duly impressed, carry on.

So I turned on the power to test and the compressor fired right up and things were cool, figuratively and literally. I turned off the thermostat and installed the refer then turned the dial and...no joy.

It looks like a bad controller. One is on order but I cannot locate this daughter card that the fan and thermostat connect to. Its hard to see but it is in the controller's spade connectors. I saw a fridgeboat type called a Merlin but this one is a mystery.

kulas44 said:

I love it... Everyone else I tell to smack the compressor thinks I'm nuts. I am duly impressed, carry on.

Click to expand...

this should be the first step in troubleshooting anything tougher than a laptop.. all too often it works!
HOLLYWOOD

Fixed...it was the controller. Thanks, SkiNC. Great suggestion and it cost $200 instead of $2000.