The big fridge is dead - thank dog for big boats

Simi 60 · 10-25-2022, 11:13 PM

The 550 litre Samsung died today

Panicked for a bit but then realised we have two bar fridges and an upright freezer aboard so with a bit of shuffling around, all food is back in the cold.

Google suggests given the symptoms that it's a starter relay on the compressor, so ordered one, should be waiting for us at the nearest post office by week's end and fingers crossed,
after some cursing and swearing getting to the back of it, it'll get to live again.

Not looking forward to replacing it.
Like several things on board, it was fitted and then the boat was built around it so replacement will need surgery......and a forklift, most likely lifting the boat out which wasn't happening for several months yet.

READY · 10-25-2022, 11:31 PM

A builder should be required to replace every system in their first production Hull #1 build before it ships to the customer. Bet if they did many designs would change for Hull #2!

SteveK · 10-25-2022, 11:33 PM

It looks to be good cosmetically so even a new compressor would be less costly if the starter relay does not resolve it.
Getting it out in pieces is an option, but getting a new one inside probably requires surgery.
Good news is it will take your mind off of the rain.

BruceK · 10-26-2022, 12:58 AM

Some 2 door side by side fridges have some kind of roller underneath at the front helping movement, our Aussie built Westinghouse does.
Experience is, don`t build fridges in in kitchens. They die and the replacement won`t fit the space. Same with microwaves. Tenant`s fridges never fit so they remove the surrounding panels.

GoneDiving · 10-26-2022, 01:55 AM

Do you have floor to ceiling doors? Maybe the photo is deceiving but you could have run rolling it over to get it out without hitting the ceiling.

Corner to corner diagonal distance was the limiting factor for my domestic fridge. Not height when in place.

Of course, if it's dead, a 9" might do the trick. ��

Good luck.

Simi 60 · 10-26-2022, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveK

It looks to be good cosmetically so even a new compressor would be less costly if the starter relay does not resolve it.
Getting it out in pieces is an option, but getting a new one inside probably requires surgery.
Good news is it will take your mind off of the rain.

Compressor is around $400 but I would think out of my skill set to install, but I'll check YouTube.

Sunny days and 31c today

Simi 60 · 10-26-2022, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoneDiving

Do you have floor to ceiling doors? Maybe the photo is deceiving but you could have run rolling it over to get it out without hitting the ceiling.

Corner to corner diagonal distance was the limiting factor for my domestic fridge. Not height when in place.

Of course, if it's dead, a 9" might do the trick. ��

Good luck.

Nope, went through this a few years ago when we thought it was all over for it
It won't tip on the diagonal and one of the guys who worked on it confirmed it was built in.

Bottom of door is 250mm from deck and I need about 100mm to get it out so while not nice, I am prepared to neatly cut out a section and perhaps sikaflex it back in for easier removal if needed down the track.

9 inch would work, make a mess and still need to get another fridge in which, will be slightly smaller in size

Most likely this 4 door

https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/...idge-ak-h470ff

Pete Meisinger · 10-26-2022, 09:51 AM

The Fridge is dead. Long live the new fridge!

pete

wkearney99 · 10-26-2022, 10:06 AM

That low ceiling seems like a big issue too. Not a lot of vertical clearance to allow tilting that unit over to make it out of the interior, once you get it out of the cabinetry. How about door dimensions? Do you have enough clearance to get it out through one?

I had a fridge in a previous house that had been installed into cabinets before flooring was put down. The fridge sat below the level of the newer flooring. And there wasn't enough gap in the space above it to allow pulling the fridge out. It had to tilt up at the front and stay at that angle to get the unit out. This was when I bought by first oscillating saw. With a bit of care I managed to remove just enough of the lower edge of the cabinet above to provide enough room to get the fridge out.

As for getting it off the boat once it's out of the cabin, it'd depend on what kind of crane or forklift you have available. Going to take a lot of vertical extension to lift something up once the boat is on the hard. Versus dockside with either a ramp or something with enough reach to bridge the gap to shore.

backinblue · 10-26-2022, 11:24 AM

How does the dog figure into this?

Souvenir · 10-26-2022, 12:43 PM

Would you replace it with a residential unit or a dual 110/12 volt unit?

wkearney99 · 10-26-2022, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souvenir

Would you replace it with a residential unit or a dual 110/12 volt unit?

I'd think the size of the unit and the limited dimensions would restrict the selection to AC-powered units. And since the OP is in Australia it's probably 220/50hz.

Now for the fun part, supply chain factors making it impossible to find the desired unit.

Simi 60 · 10-26-2022, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinblue

How does the dog figure into this?

I'm a dog fearing atheist (those fkers have got teeth)
Praise be to dog.

backinblue · 10-26-2022, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I'm a dog fearing atheist (those fkers have got teeth)
Praise be to dog.

lol. I'm about a month into raising a new pup, so I am well aware of the sharp fecking teeth!

**Insequent** · 10-26-2022, 04:14 PM

If the fridge is dead then its headed for the Whitegoods recycling bin at you nearest refuse center, a free drop-off. It can go there in two or more pieces, so I'd just cut it up and leave the boat cabinetry/doors etc well alone.

Simi 60 · 10-26-2022, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insequent

If the fridge is dead then its headed for the Whitegoods recycling bin at you nearest refuse center, a free drop-off. It can go there in two or more pieces, so I'd just cut it up and leave the boat cabinetry/doors etc well alone.

Yeah, but I still need to get a new fridge in.
No cabinetry is affected but the doorway will need to be cut to get a new one in.

rslifkin · 10-26-2022, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Yeah, but I still need to get a new fridge in.
No cabinetry is affected but the doorway will need to be cut to get a new one in.

Unless you can find a combination of new stuff that'll fit the available space, meet your needs, and can be brought in and out through the existing holes in the boat.

High Wire · 10-26-2022, 05:43 PM

Don't give up until you prove it's not the defrost timer stuck in the off position. I've had one fail on 3 different fridges. Has power but compressor won't run. $15 part.

Simi 60 · 10-26-2022, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rslifkin

Unless you can find a combination of new stuff that'll fit the available space, meet your needs, and can be brought in and out through the existing holes in the boat.

Single door fridge will get in, but fridge is deeper and door is bigger so hits the island benchtop when opening, can't open more than 45 degrees.

Simi 60 · 10-26-2022, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Wire

Don't give up until you prove it's not the defrost timer stuck in the off position. I've had one fail on 3 different fridges. Has power but compressor won't run. $15 part.

I'm not giving up
I am waiting for the part to arrive.

When on, every five minutes you can hear a click and about 20 seconds later another.
At the same time amps spike considerably.

Google suggests that's the starter relay for the compressor.