pickeringcheryl
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With me this cooler is good
Refrigerator/Freezer Replacement on GB 42
- Thread starter JESSEDIVER49
- Start date
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FF
Guru
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- Oct 12, 2007
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- 22,552
The control unit on Eutetic plates is very different from a std reefer.
On a house style system a thermostat simply cuts off the power when some preset temperature is reached.
A simple thermostat does not work with cold plates as the solution in the plate must be totally frozen for the best holdover.
The control for a eutetic plate senses the vacuum on the plate tubing which is a different method of sensing temperature .
This is required as the plate freezes more slowly as the plate is frozen, since the frozen solution passes the heat to the refrigerant thru the already frozen solution. Ice is an insulator when freezing.
This system of using the level of vacuum is very common on commercial refrigeration.
I suggest you find the folks that repair butcher display cases or freezer boxes for your local market.
He should have little problem finding a slow leak, and replacing or simply adjusting the control box.
On a house style system a thermostat simply cuts off the power when some preset temperature is reached.
A simple thermostat does not work with cold plates as the solution in the plate must be totally frozen for the best holdover.
The control for a eutetic plate senses the vacuum on the plate tubing which is a different method of sensing temperature .
This is required as the plate freezes more slowly as the plate is frozen, since the frozen solution passes the heat to the refrigerant thru the already frozen solution. Ice is an insulator when freezing.
This system of using the level of vacuum is very common on commercial refrigeration.
I suggest you find the folks that repair butcher display cases or freezer boxes for your local market.
He should have little problem finding a slow leak, and replacing or simply adjusting the control box.
Last edited:
jdecris
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2014
- Messages
- 28
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Grand Marnier
- Vessel Make
- '91 Grand Banks 46 Classic
I have a ‘91 Grand Banks 46 Classic, and updated my two refrigerator boxes to Seafrost 12v systems in 2018 right after I bought the boat, and am now going to install another Seafrost system for the freezer.
The existing freezer box is lined with stainless steel like the refrigerator boxes (which I left as original).
But the size of the freezer box is really much too big than I’ll ever need… so in the interest of minimizing 12v electricity use I am seriously thinking of making the existing freezer box smaller by adding insulation and some form of panels on the inside.
So… I’m wondering what you did with your freezer and how it all worked out.
Questions:
1. Did you keep your original freezer size, insulation, and liner? And if so, what size is it? And what size Seafrost system (plates, etc.) did you install in the freezer? Mine is about 28” deep from the countertop to the bottom and roughly 16” x 19” at the bottom with the outboard side larger going up as it matches the slope of the hull.
2. Do you know what the insulation is under the stainless panels in the freezer and what condition it’s in? I ask because I’m thinking if I’m going to make the box smaller it might make the best sense for me to remove the existing liner and insulation and replace with all new.
Anyway… any and all information you can share would be greatly appreciated.
The existing freezer box is lined with stainless steel like the refrigerator boxes (which I left as original).
But the size of the freezer box is really much too big than I’ll ever need… so in the interest of minimizing 12v electricity use I am seriously thinking of making the existing freezer box smaller by adding insulation and some form of panels on the inside.
So… I’m wondering what you did with your freezer and how it all worked out.
Questions:
1. Did you keep your original freezer size, insulation, and liner? And if so, what size is it? And what size Seafrost system (plates, etc.) did you install in the freezer? Mine is about 28” deep from the countertop to the bottom and roughly 16” x 19” at the bottom with the outboard side larger going up as it matches the slope of the hull.
2. Do you know what the insulation is under the stainless panels in the freezer and what condition it’s in? I ask because I’m thinking if I’m going to make the box smaller it might make the best sense for me to remove the existing liner and insulation and replace with all new.
Anyway… any and all information you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Choices
Guru
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- Apr 16, 2018
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- 898
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- Montgomery, Tx
- Vessel Name
- Choices
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- 36 Grand Banks Europa
Read my blog, grandbankschoices.
I rebuilt my units with 12vdc Danfoss parts, works great. Took a weekend.
Another 42 went the stainless drawers route. The blog shows how he did it. We have four 42s in our group, three are making the change.
The swaps are a weekend project.
The Grunert system was a great system, but it's thirty years old, and performs like it.
These DC systems are efficient and quiet. No reason not to do it.
I rebuilt my units with 12vdc Danfoss parts, works great. Took a weekend.
Another 42 went the stainless drawers route. The blog shows how he did it. We have four 42s in our group, three are making the change.
The swaps are a weekend project.
The Grunert system was a great system, but it's thirty years old, and performs like it.
These DC systems are efficient and quiet. No reason not to do it.
Refrigeration compressor
The refrigeration compressor in my 1986 GB recently gave up the ghost. It was a Grunnert unit. Grunnert was of little help. The Tecumseh model number was AJA7465AXA. Also AJ201AT-188-J7. I learned that this compressor is no longer made and that no replacement compressor with the same physical/electrical/Freon characteristics was being produced by Tecumseh. After looking everywhere for a suitable compressor I was resigned to replacing the entire system , then I found that VOOMI Supply in Pennsylvania had 10 of these compressors on the shelf. Perhaps they bought Tecumseh’s old stock , but even Tecumseh did not know it. I don’t now how many of these compressors were installed originally , but at least some. And VOOMI also gave good service.
The refrigeration compressor in my 1986 GB recently gave up the ghost. It was a Grunnert unit. Grunnert was of little help. The Tecumseh model number was AJA7465AXA. Also AJ201AT-188-J7. I learned that this compressor is no longer made and that no replacement compressor with the same physical/electrical/Freon characteristics was being produced by Tecumseh. After looking everywhere for a suitable compressor I was resigned to replacing the entire system , then I found that VOOMI Supply in Pennsylvania had 10 of these compressors on the shelf. Perhaps they bought Tecumseh’s old stock , but even Tecumseh did not know it. I don’t now how many of these compressors were installed originally , but at least some. And VOOMI also gave good service.
DennisB1
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2015
- Messages
- 222
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Water Music
- Vessel Make
- Grand Banks 49 classic
I have a GB 49 1990 classic with holding plate refrigeration. The two refrigerator boxes hold temp about 40f and the freezer box holds between 0 and 10F. To main these temps required about. 30 minutes morning and evening run time on the generator. The compressor is a Copeland 1.5 hp unit using R404a refrigerant. It has a slow leak requiring a charge about 4 years. The run time lengthen to about 50 minutes before the recharge twice a day.
You said your compressor is running 24/7. Sounds like you need do to recharge your unit and fix a leak. What type of compressor do you have? The do a pretty good job if they are fully charged and the controls are functionable.
You said your compressor is running 24/7. Sounds like you need do to recharge your unit and fix a leak. What type of compressor do you have? The do a pretty good job if they are fully charged and the controls are functionable.
OP
OP
JESSEDIVER49
Senior Member
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- May 2, 2013
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- 187
- Location
- USA
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- Good Vibrations
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- Grand Banks Classic 42
Grunert Refrigeration
In my 84 GB I replaced my old Grunert unit with two separate Frig-a-boat systems. It was a DIY project and not so difficult. I kept my two boxes and removed old plates a compressor/condenser. I put my new 12 v refrigerator compressor/condenser (size of a loaf of bread) in my engine room and the freezer compressor/condenser in the salon under a seat nearby the freezer. What makes it an easy install is the evaporators and tubing come pre-charged and all you have to do is connect and tighten fittings to charge the system. No charging equipment, gauges, etc., needed.
In my 84 GB I replaced my old Grunert unit with two separate Frig-a-boat systems. It was a DIY project and not so difficult. I kept my two boxes and removed old plates a compressor/condenser. I put my new 12 v refrigerator compressor/condenser (size of a loaf of bread) in my engine room and the freezer compressor/condenser in the salon under a seat nearby the freezer. What makes it an easy install is the evaporators and tubing come pre-charged and all you have to do is connect and tighten fittings to charge the system. No charging equipment, gauges, etc., needed.
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