Fridge installation.

[mcalan]

Looking for a recommendation for an engineer that can fit a fridge motor/compressor on a Hunter Legend 306 moored at Tollesbury in Essex. Most of the wiring is there as there is a breaker switch marked refidgerator in the control panel.
It just needs the compressor and cold plate fitting into the cool box and wiring up

Thanks

 

[Daverw]

Very easy to DIY as the standard systems are designed for self installation, pipe work is plug and play and electrics are not much more that connection to terminals

 

[Rock Dodger]

Hi McAlan, I had a similar problem and got some truly outrageous quotations. In the end I did it myself and it cost about 40% of the most expensive price quoted although I didn't charge for my own labour. There is lots of information on the interweb about how it can be done. The points to remember are position for the compressor with good air flow around it and with easy runs for the pipes and wires, the correct size wiring to take the supply current and making sure that that you have a cool box that you have insulated up to the eyeballs. I ran mine alongside the pontoon, yesterday on a similar sized boat and at the highest setting I got the fridge box down to 3 degrees C with an ambient temperature of 28 degrees C. As others have mentioned the right kit is "plug and play". Shop around for the kit. Good luck.

 

[mcalan]

Hi thanks for the reply’s I actually have the kit and the ice box is already installed and I suspect the wiring is also there as there is a breaker in the panel. I just want someone to install it as I don’t have the confidence to do it !

Any recommendations ?

 

[KAL]

I didn’t have the confidence either, until I did it! Honestly, it’s not difficult and you can always get a pro in if all else fails.

 

[coopec]

Mcalan

I don't know what sort of set-up you have but after ignoring the manufacturer's advice that "it is a two man job" to fit the condenser in the cold box I had a disaster which cost me $250. My next attempt I will have the local expert to help me as he has installed Adler Barbour Cold Machine units on yachts previously.

Here is the manual for the Adler Barbour Cold Machine

http://liveantares.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/adlerbarbour.pdf

 

[FulmarJeddo]

I fitted a Waeco kit. All quite easy and straight forward, except there were warnings about not over tightening the once only pipe couplings. I didn't overtighten them but neither did I tighten them enough. About 2 months later the fridge stopped working due to the gas leaking out. I fixed the couplings and topped it up using an air con top up kit from Halfords and it has worked since. I have had power issues with it wired to the Fridge breaker already on the switch panel. The battery was going down quicker than it should. I discovered that the power feed cable to the switch panel was too small and with everything, auto pilot, fridge instruments etc running I was getting a voltage drop causing the fridge to short cycle running the battery down even quicker. I have now taken the power for the fridge off the power isolator switch via an inline fuse and it is working much better.

 

[coopec]

"I fixed the couplings and topped it up using an air con top up kit from Halfords and it has worked since"

I broke the join where the capillary tube joins the condenser and there was a long hissing noise. I thought the local fridge guy could regas it but he can't. I'd have to send it to the agent in the Eastern States who can repair it and regas it at a cost..

But surely I could get it silver soldered, fit it as it was a going component and then gas up the whole system? Anyhow that is someone else's problem as I bought a new unit.

Clive

 

[Daverw]

Would be relatively easy to repair and then revac and recharge

 

[coopec]

Would be relatively easy to repair and then revac and recharge

Thanks for that: it is something I will follow up on.

Clive