Vitrifrigo Fridge Not Working

[Max Simmons]

Went down for my weekly boat check and found that the fridge was completely dead. This is a maybe 15 year old Vitrifrigo that I bought new to replace the original Norcold.
Nothing on the fridge is working, no light, compressor, etc. I pulled it out and checked the circuit. Power, both AC and DC were good. I'm wondering if it is the Danfoss controller? Any advice on how to check this with a multimeter or some other method? It seems odd that even the light is not working. The fridge still looks like new and I'd rather not replace.
Thanks

 

[C lectric]

The only experience I've had was with a friends unit. I also have a Danfoss cooled fridge which after nearly 20 yrs is still operating well..

I went over to their boat and did a few checks. We had followed the instructions in the booklet for basic checks including calling the fridge builder who walked me through a few checks. He figured out it was the controller for the Danfoss unit. THey sent a new one and we swapped it in and voila, it worked.
I was suspicious of the Danfoss control but did not know enough.

So the only suggestion I can make is phone the fridge mfgr. and talk to them.
If no dice then phone Danfoss themselves.

I will suggest though that no light or any function suggests that you need to go back and recheck the power supply and ensure that power is reaching the motor. Any poor connections may stop the fridge completely so be sure you check the voltage AT the connections to the fridge. If corrosion has built up that will drop the voltage enough that it cannot work.

And contact the mfgrs. including Danfoss and your fridge for further help.

You will not likely need a new fridge, just a repair part.

May some luck be with you,

 

[Frosty]

I might have some suggestions.

So it sounds like you do have power coming in to the compressor control unit, right? But then after that, it's not working. (I'm not 100% clear on exactly how/what is not working.)

Do you have access to the connections on the compressor control module? Presuming this is a Danfoss/Secop BD35 or BD50 (those are the only two I have any experience with), the terminals on the module will be flat blades (with wires attached) and each position will have a label with a Letter code or a "+" or "-".

I'm not there, but I would start by doing two things (of course being sure there is incoming power to the control module):

1) Jumper to eliminate the thermostat. Electrically "jumper" terminals "C" and "T" on the compressor control module. This will overrule the thermostat and (if that is the problem) the refrigerator will run continuously without shutting off. If so, great, because this is easy to deal with. If you have a mechanical thermostat, there are inexpensive and fantastic electronic thermostats you can install instead (or replace in kind). If you literally have "nothing," it doesn't seem like it would be this, but easy enough to check.

2) Set up a test light which may show various error codes based on number of flashes. To do this, wire a small LED bulb between terminals "D" and "+" on control module. See if there are any flashes, and if there are, count them. (Or I think you can also use a meter and count needle movements, though I have always used a small LED bulb.)

BTW, you can wire up such a bulb permanently if you like, for future use. I have a little bulb with clips on it.

If you go ahead with these two things, what do you get?

PS: Just out of curiosity, what is the model of the control module? This will be right up at the top of the label that has the letters and the connections. I have an 11-year-old Vitrifrigo, and just for example, mine uses the 101N0500 control module (which would now be replaced with a 101N0510, last I checked). They all seem fairly similar though.

 

[Max Simmons]

I might have some suggestions.

So it sounds like you do have power coming in to the compressor control unit, right? But then after that, it's not working. (I'm not 100% clear on exactly how/what is not working.)

Do you have access to the connections on the compressor control module? Presuming this is a Danfoss/Secop BD35 or BD50 (those are the only two I have any experience with), the terminals on the module will be flat blades (with wires attached) and each position will have a label with a Letter code or a "+" or "-".

I'm not there, but I would start by doing two things (of course being sure there is incoming power to the control module):

1) Jumper to eliminate the thermostat. Electrically "jumper" terminals "C" and "T" on the compressor control module. This will overrule the thermostat and (if that is the problem) the refrigerator will run continuously without shutting off. If so, great, because this is easy to deal with. If you have a mechanical thermostat, there are inexpensive and fantastic electronic thermostats you can install instead (or replace in kind). If you literally have "nothing," it doesn't seem like it would be this, but easy enough to check.

2) Set up a test light which may show various error codes based on number of flashes. To do this, wire a small LED bulb between terminals "D" and "+" on control module. See if there are any flashes, and if there are, count them. (Or I think you can also use a meter and count needle movements, though I have always used a small LED bulb.)

BTW, you can wire up such a bulb permanently if you like, for future use. I have a little bulb with clips on it.

If you go ahead with these two things, what do you get?

PS: Just out of curiosity, what is the model of the control module? This will be right up at the top of the label that has the letters and the connections. I have an 11-year-old Vitrifrigo, and just for example, mine uses the 101N0500 control module (which would now be replaced with a 101N0510, last I checked). They all seem fairly similar though.

Yes, it is the 101N0500.
I'll see about the test light, I do believe there is one in the boat house.
Thanks!