Fitting a new plate in the refridgerator - how does the fridge work?

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Ben998

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Hi All,
We have a top loading fridge with the evaporator type plate to act as the cooling source and it looks as though Im going to have to replace the plate, and perhaps the compressor as well /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
If I remove the plate and the compressor and buy a new kit, will I have to get someone on board to gas the new system or does it work by some other means?

cheers,
Ben
 
Most of the new systems come ready gassed, with self sealing connectors, so you dont have to re-gas it. Ask the suppliers.
 
Unless your fridge is fairly recent it will have a different refrigerant gas and you will have to replace plate and compressor together I think, but the new units will snap together with self sealing couplings and come ready gassed.
 
A) different producers of fridges, while using may be the same compressor, use also DIFFERENT sealing connectors, sometimes of proprietary type, so check the type, model and year of compressor and look for a replacement plate of corresponding connectors.
B) During the years ecoballs prevented the use of some type of gas,especially freon; so it is not self evident to have some one recharge your system, as going around with a bottle of freon is an offence, in some countries may be criminal.
C) Beware of swindlers: in june I solved my problem (fridge not working, diagnosis by local harbourside expert: compressor K.O., 600 € for changing everything) by dismounting compressor, thermostat and plate, bring them to an artisan in Milan, who checked everything and declared them perfectly O.K.; he diagnosed probably a faulty electric connection in the boat electric system with not enough copper section to allow the current drain required; he fully recharged the system (80 € for diagnosis and service), I passed a new electrical cable (10mmq section please), reinstalled everything, uncoupling plate and compressor only at the last minute, and enjoyed a three week july cruise in Corsica and Sardinia with cold drinks and lasting food provisions.
As I was told, compressor (which are the very costly part of the system, are beasts hard to kill.

Cheers,
Gianenrico
 
Refrigeration equipment is typically very similar. A lot of 12v and 24v compressors are made by Danfoss and the electronics are somewhat unusual but otherwise much the same as common domestic refrigerators/freezers.

A competant local refrigeration engineer may be able to repair your leaky evaporator and should be able to put some gas in at an economic price.IMHO.
 
[ QUOTE ]
A competant local refrigeration engineer may be able to repair your leaky evaporator and should be able to put some gas in at an economic price.IMHO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, that used to be the case. But nowadays unless your system uses the latest non-ozone depleting green refrigerant gas you are snookered because the replacement for freon isn't compatible with freon, at least that was what I was told by Penguin engineering when I looked at fitting a bigger evaporator.
 
Freon and later refrigerants

Freon, which was the refrigerant of choice until it was banned 7 years ago world-wide, is still available for topping up systems, but many refrigeration engineers refuse to use it due to the procedural legal complications.

Most systems allow you to separate compressor from evaporator plate by a leak-proof bayonet connection.

If your system is less than 7 years old it will be quite simple to get a replacement evaporator plate (I'd contact the manufacturers direct), if your system is on Freon 12 (the refrigerant type is clearly marked on the compressor) I'd expect that the simpler and more economic alternative would be to replace the whole system.

This I found to be the case in 2000 when I was presented with a similar proplem.
 
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