hmason
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2013
- Messages
- 2,766
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Lucky Lucky
- Vessel Make
- Pacific Mariner 65
This is a real mystery, and trust me it's not a Halloween gag by any means.
Our Grunert refrigeration system runs on AC current only---generator or shore power, it's not tied to the inverter. The compressor services 2 cold plate refrigerators and one cold plate freezer. As we travel to Florida we anchor most nights. My practice is to start the generator when we anchor, let it warm up and then gradually put a load on it. When I switch on the fridge system (by flipping on the breaker) the compressor and seawater pump kick in immediately. And all is well.
Then we decided to go to a marina one night. We plugged into shore power (50 amp) and fired all the AC things on. Except, the fridge system would not turn on. I checked the 2 fuses, the reset button, jostled the thermostats in each box, checked the sea strainer for water and clogs, all to no avail. Tried it again after dinner with no joy. Went to bed.
During the night I woke up as this was on my mind. Switched on the breaker and the fridge came right on. Weird. For the next couple of nights we anchored and everything worked properly with the generator supplying the AC. Then we arrived at a well known marina with a great service reputation. We planned to spend the night there to visit friends. Plugged into shore power and the fridge refused to turn on. Went to bed. Tried it in the morning and it came right on. I decided to have a refrigeration tech look at it. When I explained the problem he said he would check it over. He checked everything. He worked for an hour with gauges, meters, the works. Diagnosis---nothing wrong with the unit. He was a real gentleman and said there would be no charge.
Off we went. The next several nights we used the generator and all was fine. Then we went to a marina again and plugged in. The fridges refused to come on. The temperature in the fridge boxes rose to 55 degrees and still nothing. We packed them with ice and continued south. Each night since then the fridges have been working fine from the generator.
I have a great refrigeration guy in FL, so we will be anchoring for the next few nights and then have him check it out.
I give up. Anyone want to take a shot at this?
Thanks!
Our Grunert refrigeration system runs on AC current only---generator or shore power, it's not tied to the inverter. The compressor services 2 cold plate refrigerators and one cold plate freezer. As we travel to Florida we anchor most nights. My practice is to start the generator when we anchor, let it warm up and then gradually put a load on it. When I switch on the fridge system (by flipping on the breaker) the compressor and seawater pump kick in immediately. And all is well.
Then we decided to go to a marina one night. We plugged into shore power (50 amp) and fired all the AC things on. Except, the fridge system would not turn on. I checked the 2 fuses, the reset button, jostled the thermostats in each box, checked the sea strainer for water and clogs, all to no avail. Tried it again after dinner with no joy. Went to bed.
During the night I woke up as this was on my mind. Switched on the breaker and the fridge came right on. Weird. For the next couple of nights we anchored and everything worked properly with the generator supplying the AC. Then we arrived at a well known marina with a great service reputation. We planned to spend the night there to visit friends. Plugged into shore power and the fridge refused to turn on. Went to bed. Tried it in the morning and it came right on. I decided to have a refrigeration tech look at it. When I explained the problem he said he would check it over. He checked everything. He worked for an hour with gauges, meters, the works. Diagnosis---nothing wrong with the unit. He was a real gentleman and said there would be no charge.
Off we went. The next several nights we used the generator and all was fine. Then we went to a marina again and plugged in. The fridges refused to come on. The temperature in the fridge boxes rose to 55 degrees and still nothing. We packed them with ice and continued south. Each night since then the fridges have been working fine from the generator.
I have a great refrigeration guy in FL, so we will be anchoring for the next few nights and then have him check it out.
I give up. Anyone want to take a shot at this?
Thanks!